Mayoral Column 3 August 2015

Published on 03 August 2015

Loddon Shire backs sporting grounds

Caption: Wedderburn Football Club president Andrew Lockhart, Mayor Gavan Holt, club treasurer Kevin Lockhart and curator Leon Holt.

Loddon Shire Council has agreed to once again support a water subsidy, which will keep our community sporting fields alive.

In the past, Wedderburn and Inglewood sporting clubs have relied heavily on the Skinners Flat and Inglewood Reservoir to provide an affordable water supply to maintain grass sports surfaces.

Unfortunately, these water supplies have not replenished since last year, meaning the sporting clubs have relied on more expensive water from the Coliban system to maintain their playing surfaces.

Loddon Shire Council moved to support the recreation reserves by providing a subsidy between the cost of the $450 per megalitre paid for Skinners Flat and the Inglewood Reservoir water and the $2167 per megalitre from the Coliban system last October.

The subsidy period has come to an end, with the total cost to Council between October 2014 and April 2015 $17,649, well below the $32,907 Council had budgeted for.

Council has agreed to extend its subsidy program until 31 December 2015 with funding of $30,000 for the water allocation to continue.

In Loddon, we recognise that sport is an important part of our community’s social wellbeing and that is why the Shire is proud to fund the allocation of water to keep the Inglewood and Wedderburn sporting communities alive.

I am proud to say that the funding will assist the Wedderburn bowls, tennis, hockey, football and cricket clubs along with the Inglewood football and tennis clubs to keep their grounds meeting safety standards.

Bridgewater Caravan Park entry upgrades

Loddon Shire Council has completed the reconstruction of the entrance to the Bridgewater Public Caravan Park.

Council identified the need to undertake the upgrade during the refurbishment of the caravan park, but due to the heavy machinery going in and out of the park during construction, the work to the entrance was scheduled to commence after the caravan park was completed.

The entrance now facilitates parallel parking for residents on both sides of the road and allows for two-way traffic flow.

These upgrades are a great improvement to the amenity of the area both for tourists and local residents alike.

History awards

Loddon Shire Council is inviting residents to enter the 2015 Victorian Community History Awards that are now open.

The awards recognise our local community’s commitment to documenting, recording and interpreting Victoria’s history.

For more information, visit www.historyvictoria.org.au.

Loddon’s little readers

Loddon Shire is reminding parents to book in for their child’s four month key age and stage assessment with a maternal and child health nurse.

The four month assessment is linked to the Little Loddon Readers Program, which sees all children receive a free age-appropriate picture book.

For more information or to book an appointment, call 5437 7999.

Railway station available

Loddon Shire Council is continuing to work with the local community to fill the current commercial vacancy at the historic Bridgewater Railway Station.

Council is currently calling for expressions of interest from interested business owners who would like to utilise the site.

The unique red brick property also includes a substantial area of vacant land and will appeal to the right business.