Mayoral Column 16 March 2015
Published on 16 March 2015
CAPTION: Industrial land along Reef Street will be available for sale.
Annual reseal works about to begin
Delivery of the 2014-2015 annual resealing program is about to commence and will see investment of over half a million dollars towards the protection and renewal of the sealed road network across Loddon Shire.
Contractor Boral Resources is scheduled to start in early March, with the program encompassing 23 individual sites with a total length of just over 30kms.
Over the next few weeks residents, or those passing through the Shire, may encounter resealing works being undertaken.
Whilst every effort to minimise potential delays for the travelling public will be made, some disruption may be inevitable given the nature of the works being conducted.
Council therefore appreciates the patience of the community during this phase of our annual works program.
Compliance with work zone speed limits is also an important consideration for everyone to be aware of, contributing to the ongoing safety of Council staff, contractors and the public.
In addition to reseal works, a number of other elements of Council’s 2014-15 Annual Infrastructure Program are also progressing or about to commence, including the continuation of recent widening works along the Bridgewater-Raywood Road and pavement rehabilitation on a 1.5km stretch of Pyramid-Yarraberb Road.
During this financial year Council will invest nearly $4 million into asset renewal and upgrades across nine program categories including bridges, drainage, gravel roads, footpaths and kerb and channel.
Combined with nearly $5 million in local road maintenance activities, this represents a significant investment into the future of local road and road related infrastructure across the Shire.
Industrial property available for sale
Industrial land will become available in Inglewood, with the development works to the industrial estate along Reef Street to be completed by the end of March.
While two lots have already been pre-sold, Council is looking forward to hearing from other businesses interested in knowing more about doing business in Loddon and Inglewood.
The industrial estate is home to five fully serviced and fenced one acre allotments zoned industrial 1 and developed for industrial purposes.
The project is an investment by Council to promote business and job growth in Inglewood and the Shire.
The industrial estate has been generously supported through the state government with a $198,500 grant towards the project.
The new estate will complement the state government’s partnership with VicTrack, with the investment at the Inglewood Train Station precinct, which will see the establishment of a business incubator through the Bendigo based Workspace Australia.
As part of the redevelopment, Reef Street will be reconstructed and sealed to improve drainage in front of the allotments and allow for underground power, water and telecommunication services.
Fiesta change date and venue change
The multicultural fiesta, which will showcase the richness of the Australian and Filipino heritage, has had a date and venue change.
The Pyramid Hill event will now be held on Saturday 17 October at Kelly Park in Kelly Street, Pyramid Hill.
The Pyramid Hill Progress Association is spearheading the fiesta in conjunction with the Filipino and community groups. The fiesta will showcase the food, music, art, sport, drama and dance of the Australian and Filipino cultures.
For more information or to get involved, contact the Loddon Visitor Information Centre on 5494 1257.
Gold nugget winner
Jessica Dickson, of Ferntree Gully, was browsing the Loddon Visitor Information Centre when she spied a competition voucher on the counter and submitted her details.
The moment has now produced a pleasant surprise, with the announcement that Ms Dickson has been named the winner of a gold nugget, in an innovative tourist promotion run throughout the Shire over the summer school holidays by Council.
Local residents and visitors alike were invited to lodge a voucher at one of 10 Loddon businesses to be in the running to win.
Ms Dickson never thought she would win the competition.
“I never thought I would win it in a million years,” she said.
“I was so ecstatic when I received the news. This is the first time I’ve won anything in my entire life and I’ve never considered myself to be that lucky.”
Ms Dickson was in Wedderburn in early January to visit her family.
“My relatives own a property and a small business in Wedderburn so my family and I decided to go up during the Christmas holidays and see them while we could,” she said.
“We have always loved going to Wedderburn for the tranquillity and country lifestyle. It’s just a shame it doesn’t rain more often.”
The aim of the promotion was to capture the postcodes of visitors and locals who were in the Loddon area over the Christmas New Year period.
More than 560 people entered the competition with one person from overseas, 79 from interstate and 489 Victorians.
Most of the Victorians who entered the competition were from Melbourne and surrounding areas.
Council supports suicide awareness
Loddon Shire Council is shining a light on the unpublicised topic of suicide, supporting those who have been touched by the death of a loved one.
Council’s Loddon Healthy Minds Network is asking locals to consider participating in the Bendigo Suicide Awareness Walk.
The walk, on Sunday 22 March, is designed to allow those touched by suicide to remember loved ones, friends, colleagues and school friends.
The event also aims to raise awareness of suicide across Central Victoria, and is being held in conjunction with the Black Dog Ride, a motorcycle ride to raise awareness of depression and suicide prevention.
The event starts with live entertainment in Dai Gum San precinct in Bridge Street, Bendigo at 9.30am, with a 2km walk starting at 11am. A butterfly remembrance ceremony marks the occasion at noon, followed by a free sausage sizzle lunch and live entertainment.
For more information, contact Alannah McGregor, at alannah.m.15@gmail.com for the walk, or visit www.blackdogride.com.au for information on the motorcycle ride.