Mayoral Column 22 June 2015

Published on 22 June 2015

Council backs Goulburn-Murray’s proposal

Council has supported the preparation of a Ministerial Amendment to the Loddon Planning Scheme, which if adopted, will allow Goulburn-Murray Water to conduct works under its Connections Program without needing to obtain planning permits for each property.

The project stretches across seven municipalities, and it aims to provide improved water security in the face of drought and climate change, contributing to the long-term economic viability of the region.

Goulburn-Murray Water has received supporting letters from water catchment authorities and several councils. It expects to receive the remaining letters over the next few weeks.

Goulburn-Murray Water will then collate the supporting documents before submitting an incorporated document to the Planning Minister Richard Wynne, in the hope the Minister will support the required amendment.

If successful, the amendment will be of mutual benefit to both Goulburn-Murray Water and Loddon Shire Council.

From a resourcing perspective it will ensure Council’s planning resources are not unnecessarily tied up with hundreds of applications. It will also ensure the project runs smoothly, with landowners able to speak to the one authority.

This is not the first project Goulburn-Murray Water has undertaken under these circumstances. Given the organisation’s good track record on ensuring it meets planning scheme requirements and operational standards, we are happy to support this application.

Safety strategy for safer roads

Loddon Shire Council is supporting a new road safety strategy, which aims to improve the safety of all Victorian road users.

Road safety is a shared responsibility for all drivers, and the new Road Safety Strategy aims to encourage road users to work together towards a future where there are no deaths or serious injuries on our roads.

As a community, we cannot be complacent on our roads. Most of our fatalities over the years are from single vehicle collisions.

I’m asking residents to be vigilant and alert on our roads, in the hope it will create a safer road network for our region.

Recognising our senior volunteers

The Victorian Senior of the Year Awards recognises the contributions older Victorians make to our community.

The award celebrates the many women and men whose volunteer involvement supports and inspires others.

I encourage residents to think about those who make a difference in our community. The award provides an opportunity to recognise and celebrate the contribution of volunteers aged 60 years and over to their local community and to Victoria.

Nominees can be for any type of volunteering, with past award winners including hospital visitors, organisers of Anzac Day appeals and tutors to disadvantaged students and workers.

For more information or to nominate someone, call 1300 135 090 or visit www.seniorsonline.vic.gov.au.

Entries close Friday 10 July.

Council tunes in to Kool Skools

Loddon Shire Council will once again offer a Kool Skools program to high school students who have an interest in arts.

Kool Schools is a music recording and multimedia project for secondary level school bands and solo performers to record an album of original music, either in Melbourne or Sydney, complete with their own photography, graphics and written material.

Over the past 18 years, more than 150 schools and municipal councils have participated from Victoria alone. The project has run in all states of Australia but currently operates in Victoria, New South Wales and the ACT.

Council sponsors Kool Skools in the Shire each year to the tune of around $9000, which pays for the participating students’ trip to Melbourne, the launch of their CD and other associated expenses.

Council has booked its Melbourne trip for 22 July and 23 July.