Mayoral Column 15 August 2016
Published on 15 August 2016
Clean up or face the consequences
Be courteous to your neighbour. No one wants to live or work beside an unsightly property.
How are we going to attract repeat tourism if our townships are marred by unsightly properties littered with rusty machinery and cars, rotting mattresses, old tyres and other dilapidated and unused material?
It’s time to draw a line in the sand.
From this week Council will be issuing clean up notices to residents whose properties have become eye-sores.
Over the last 12 months our local laws officers have undertaken a visual assessment of properties, identifying 100 as requiring action under Council’s unsightly property assessment matrix.
The majority of identified properties are in Loddon Shire township areas and impact on those living and working nearby.
As the trash builds it swallows the ability of landowners to mow and maintain their yards, creating a haven for vermin and snakes.
It also presents a fire risk as surrounding grass grows longer and thicker.
Before summer approaches is the time to get those properties up to scratch.
Council is urging residents who have let their surrounds run wild to take action now.
Where possible Council will work with residents issued a clean-up notice.
However, if owners refuse to cooperate, Council will either take steps to enforce the clean up or as a last resort undertake the work itself and require reimbursement of costs which could prove to be an expensive option.
Our intention isn’t to excessively minimise the use or enjoyment of residential land but rather to ensure we keep the best interests of the broader community front and centre.
It’s time to take pride in where we live and work together to make Loddon Shire an even better place to call home.
Easy English training opens doors
About 3200 adults within Loddon Shire have difficulty reading and writing.
An Easy English workshop to be held at our Wedderburn Council Office between 9.30am and 4pm on Friday 2 September is designed to help bridge the gap.
Easy English training will assist participants to develop documents designed specifically for people with difficulties reading and understanding English by combining text and images to convey information simply and directly.
The workshop will be valuable to anyone who creates documents available to the public.
You can register your interest in attending the workshop by contacting Cara Smith at csmith@loddon.vic.gov.au by Friday 19 August.
Share ideas at Business Network Dinner
If you have an interest in helping develop and promote business opportunities in our municipality I would encourage you to attend the Loddon Valley Business Network Dinner to be held at Jarklin Hotel this evening (Tuesday 16 August).
A Boort Business and Tourism Committee of Management member is set to share information about new initiatives and events planned for Boort.
Other tourism and development committees will be asked to come along and share their ideas in subsequent meetings, which are held on the 3rd Tuesday of the month on a bi-monthly basis.
Loddon Valley Business Network Dinners provide a wonderful opportunity to join together and build a working partnership with countless benefits to all involved.
The evening gets underway with a meal at 6.30pm, followed by a guest speaker at 7pm.
Bookings are essential for catering purposes.
For further information or to secure your seat contact Sandra Steel by emailing ssteel@loddon.vic.gov.au or phone 5494 1257.
Council election enrolment reminder
To have a say in who represents your community for the next four year period your enrolment details must be registered and up to date.
You can complete an enrolment form online by visiting vec.vic.gov.au/Enrolment, or pick one up at any post office or Australian Electoral Commission office.
Voting is compulsory and all enrolments must reach the Victorian Electoral Commission by 4pm on Friday 26 August to count in the October Council elections.
Keep your eye out for further updates as the Council elections draw nearer.