Mayoral Column 15 February 2016
Published on 15 February 2016
Bridgewater Swimming Hole improvements
A group of Hands on Learning (HAL) Wedderburn Secondary School students will pitch in and help out as Council landscaping works in the order of $5,000 continue at Bridgewater Swimming Hole tomorrow (February 17).
Council outdoor staff recently rolled out 500 square metres of turf at the site which will be watered through the installation of a new irrigation system.
Students involved in the HAL program will plant trees and install drip lines at the working bee which will wind up with students enjoying lunch provided by Loddon Shire.
This is just one of several projects which Council’s recreation team has engaged HAL students with.
Feedback suggests such initiatives are a win-win for all, with students thriving on the practical tasks at hand and residents valuing the community minded results.
Caring for our kindergarten children
Council has invested in new fencing at Boort and Pyramid Hill pre-schools to improve student safety.
After assessing the potential risk of multiple entry points, Council decided to improve kindergarten security by modifying fencing to provide one single entry point.
While we’re on the topic of Loddon Shire kindergartens I would also like to remind parents of the new no jab, no play legislation.
When submitting your child’s enrolment you need to provide Council’s Early Years team with an immunisation history statement from the Australian Childhood Immunisation Register.
Alternatively, parents can obtain full documentation from their GP or Council’s immunisation team.
The Victorian Government has launched a new app called VaxOnTime to remind parents when their child is due a vaccination.
VaxOnTime is available for download at Apple Store, Google Play and Windows.
Browse, subscribe and stay in the loop
To keep up to date with the latest Council news and opportunities I’d encourage you to explore our website and subscribe to areas of particular interest.
Whether you would like to be kept abreast of Council meeting agendas and decisions, tenders and job vacancies, building plans and projects or upcoming community events, you can receive the latest news by subscribing for updates.
Log onto www.loddon.vic.gov.au to browse our webpage, click on subscribe when you come across a topic of interest, and provide your email to receive updates which keep you in the loop!
Draft Flood Management Plan on display
Now is the time to voice your thoughts about the Draft Bridgewater Flood Management Plan.
One-on-one meetings with the North Central Catchment Management authority will be held at the Bridgewater Bowling Club today (Tuesday 16 February) between 1pm and 6pm.
While copies of the plan have been posted to Bridgewater homes, you can also view the document at our Council offices in Wedderburn and Serpentine or the Bridgewater Post Office.
The North Central Catchment Management Authority received funding from both the state and commonwealth government to prepare the plan which is designed to reduce the impact of any future flooding on the township.
For further information on how you can have your say phone 5448 7124.
Drought relief in sight for families
Young people and their families are among those to benefit from a further $40,000 in State Government drought relief.
Council has been discussing ways the community can benefit from the extra funding, with early discussions focused on initiatives designed to provide farming advice and future planning, support health and wellbeing and engage our young people.
These may include subsidising junior sports fees across the municipality, hosting social activities such as movie nights at Shire swimming pools and planning a concert.
I’m looking forward to sharing more details, dates and times with you in a column in the near future once the State Government has approved our plans.