Mayoral Column 26 October 2015
Published on 26 October 2015
Explore the world of high speed internet access
It’s time for residents within the Boort, Inglewood, Serpentine, Korong Vale and Wedderburn surrounds, to discover the many benefits of being able to access high speed broadband internet services.
News that the NBN has been turned on in large parts of our geographically diverse municipality means a faster, cheaper, internet service which can help bridge the gap between city and country by delivering new opportunities.
Whether you’re operating a business, studying, or managing the family, I would encourage those who live in areas with active NBN to find out more about its capabilities.
Everything from home shopping and banking, to smoother video conferencing can become more efficient with a faster internet connection.
If you work from home, are using online education tools, or simply want to access more options for on-demand entertainment, the NBN will meet this need in a quicker, cheaper manner.
This is particularly useful for larger families with multiple internet users requiring higher data allowances.
Attracting more people to live and work in our municipality is important for economic and social growth.
As more areas within the municipality are switched on to the NBN, and receive the benefit of a fast, reliable internet connection, people can invest in our locality with greater confidence.
Tarnagulla residents have been benefiting from NBN access for some months now, and connection is within sight for Pyramid Hill, where construction is currently underway.
You can check the progress of the NBN roll-out in your area by typing your location or postcode into the interactive NBN network rollout map situated at www.nbnco.com.au
Help protect farmers from fruit fly
Council is continuing the fight against fruit fly by working alongside the Murray River Group of Councils to increase public awareness and explore future fruit fly trapping funding options.
A state government fruit fly strategy is due to be released next month, which may provide some relief for fruit grower associations currently collecting levies to ensure households within close proximity of fruit growing areas have access to fruit fly traps.
In the meantime, I urge residents to remain vigilant about this pressing issue.
To preserve the future of our Loddon Shire orchards, we are asking residents to check their private fruit trees for signs of fruit fly infestation and then to take steps to eradicate these pests if discovered.
Residents should also prune their trees so they can reach all of the fruit the tree produces. Please pick all ripe fruit before it falls to the ground and collect any fallen fruit.
Seal all fruit and veggies that are not going to be used in a black plastic bag and leave it in the sun for a few days before disposing of it in the bin. It’s important not to compost rotten fruit.
If you have a fruit tree you no longer need, it’s time to consider cutting it down. People can spray or paint their trees with a mixture available from hardware stores to prevent fruit flies.
Further information on how to effectively eradicate Queensland fruit fly from isolated gardens and individual trees can be found on the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning website at www.delwp.vic.gov.au.
Revving up for Great Victorian Bike Ride
Council has been working closely with community members to ensure the spotlight shines on our region when the RACV Great Victorian Bike Ride rolls into town on Tuesday December 2.
While Inglewood is the focal point of festivities, several other townships en route will take the opportunity to give a hospitable welcome.
Afternoon tea will be served at Rheola sports ground which has been named a designated rest spot, while Bridgewater Bakehouse and an array of market stalls lining the main thoroughfare will cater for the many onlookers drawn to the event.
It’s great to have the opportunity to give visitors who otherwise may not have discovered our region a taste of what we have on offer. Inglewood will be the best positioned to do this, as they host the cyclists overnight.
This is an opportunity, I must add, which wouldn’t have been possible without Bendigo Regional Tourism and Council equally sharing the cost of the $12,000 Inglewood Recreational Reserve camping fee.
This cooperative approach has opened the door for us to showcase all Inglewood has to offer, and we plan to do it in style.
Brooke Street will be alive with music and an eclectic range of market stalls. Everything from antique shops to historic buildings will throw their doors open.
A range of special events, in keeping with the historic nature of the township, are planned including Sandy Creek’s Clydesdale tours, Blue Eucy Museum tours, and a court house re-enactment.
I would encourage families with children of all ages to come along, as there will be something for everyone, with barefoot bowls, free swimming pool entry and a pop-up restaurant to be run by Inglewood Aged Beef and the Spotted Cow restaurant.
Limited places are available to experience head chef, Peter Badura’s, spectacular pop-up restaurant menu. The restaurant will be BYO with non-alcoholic drinks available.
A free shuttle bus will be available to transport restaurant guests from the camp ground to the site of the pop-up restaurant at the Eucy Museum. For bookings phone 5438 3039.
Successful Pyramid Hill Fiesta
When preparing to launch the inaugural Pyramid Hill Fiesta it struck me how fitting it would be to firstly present my speech in Filipino, before repeating it in English, to reflect the shifting cultural landscape of our municipality.
While this proved challenging, my efforts were rewarded with smiles of appreciation from the large numbers of Filipino residents in attendance, and a nod of acceptance from longstanding Australians standing alongside their new neighbours.
The welcoming gesture was further highlighted through the joint raising of Australian, Filipino, Indigenous and Torres Strait Islander flags.
Cultures melded together beautifully through a mix of traditional Filipino street dance and santacruzan parade incorporating local school students, followed by a shearing of the sheep and traditional Aussie barbecue.
Some 450 people came together to create a wonderfully festive occasion and I look forward to seeing how this multicultural event develops as our community continues to celebrate our growth in coming years.