Mayoral Column 21 December 2015

Published on 21 December 2015

Keeping our parks fresh and tidy

Photo caption: Turf is laid in Kelly Street, Pyramid Hill, as part of our Council’s capital works township services program.

Next time you wander down to your favourite neighbourhood park you may be pleasantly surprised.

In recent weeks our Shire’s outdoor works staff have been busily preparing several public spaces for the school holidays, by upgrading irrigation systems and laying fresh turf.

Pyramid Hill residents will find the final touches of turf improvement works have been made at Kelly Street Park, ready for the long, hot summer ahead.

These works include a complete upgrade of the irrigation system watering the Kelly Street Park and nature strip and the laying of turf to provide a fresh, green welcoming community space.

Ensuring our shared community meeting and play spaces are appealing places to be is an absolute priority of Council and to this end, 520 metres of turf has been laid in Pyramid Hill.

Boort residents will also be pleased to find an automatic watering system has been installed in Jubilee Park, while Inglewood’s Sloan Park has also undergone an irrigation system upgrade, with 70 metres of turf set to complete the project.

Council has also decided to invest in purchasing two new replacement mowers to help keep our lawns in great shape for the enjoyment of all.

Strengthen your sports club

As a new year approaches, sports clubs within Loddon Shire have a fantastic opportunity to ensure their club remains strong, skilled, resilient and adaptive to change.

The Loddon Sustainable Clubs program, to be delivered by Sports Focus in 2016, provides an opportunity for clubs to take advantage of free, specialised one-on-one or small group training sessions conducted within the Shire.

Sport and recreation is a vital part of community life and I would encourage clubs find out more about this wonderful opportunity.

We know from research undertaken during the development of the Shire’s recently completed recreation strategy that a number of clubs and organisations are struggling with multiple issues.

These include volunteer recruitment, attracting enough junior players, developing social media and a host of other issues related to governance, management and operation of their activities.

The breadth of experience and knowledge that Sports Focus can share with our clubs will prove invaluable.

To find out more contact Loddon Shire Council Manager Community and Recreation Allan Stobaus, by phoning 5494 1219 or emailing astobaus@loddon.vic.gov.au.

Cheers to our volunteers!

With Christmas just days away, like many in the community, I’ve been out and about enjoying various end of year celebrations.

One such event was a two course meal at the Wedderburn Hotel to thank Loddon Visitor Information Centre and Wedderburn Community House volunteers.

Talking to volunteers at the function, it became evident how much they enjoy their respective roles.

Several visitor centre volunteers talked to me about their experiences throughout the year, including participation in familiarisation tours giving them first-hand insight into our tourism assets.

Others shared anecdotes gathered from the Wedderburn Community House, highlighting how vital activities, courses and services such as shared community meals prepared by volunteers each Wednesday, are to so many people.

Thank you to each and every one of our valued volunteers, our community wouldn’t be the same without you!

Council office and service operating hours

It’s timely for my column to dedicate some space to Council office and service operating hours over the festive period.

The Council offices in Wedderburn and Serpentine will close at noon next Wednesday, 23 December. 

Both offices will reopen, just for the morning, on Thursday 24 December, before closing at noon. It’ll be back to business as usual, on Monday 4 January, from 8.15am.

The Loddon Visitor Information Centre will be closed on Christmas Day, but is otherwise open every day from 9am to 5pm.

The Community Services Department will be closed from noon on Christmas Eve and reopen at 8.15am on Monday 4 January.

Limited meals on wheels and personal care services will be provided over the Christmas period. There won’t be any home care, respite care or property maintenance services offered during this period.

For client service requirement emergencies, phone 0427 804 736.

Kerbside and recycling garbage collections scheduled for Christmas Day will be undertaken on Sunday 27 December, and collections scheduled for New Year’s Day will take place on Sunday 3 January.

Recycling collections for Christmas Day and New Year’s Day will move to the Saturday following these days. Boxing Day remains the same.

Landfills and transfer stations will be closed: Christmas Day, Boxing Day, Monday 28 December, New Year’s Day and on Australia Day.

Finally, on behalf of everyone at Loddon Shire I would like to wish you a happy and safe Christmas!