Mayoral Column 6 February 2017
Published on 06 February 2017
Community spirit the backbone of Janiember Park
Over recent weeks Council has received a considerable amount of positive feedback about the progression of the $1.2 million Janiember Park project.
It’s certainly exciting for residents to see the facility take shape, with the change-rooms about 70 per cent complete and work continuing on the new social rooms.
To date the building works have run smoothly and the project remains on track to be handed over to the community at the start of May.
While the project may appear to be moving forward rapidly, I consider it timely to remind the broader community that this project would not have been realised without the tireless work of the project’s community steering group.
It’s about nine years ago now that members of the Janiember Park Users Group approached Council with the initial concept which they have backed from the initial design process and fundraising activities right through to where we are now.
The Janiember Park redevelopment is your project, and a shining example of what a group of dedicated community members can achieve when they work hand in hand with Council.
Designs for the adjacent playground are now complete and planning is underway for landscaping in the area immediately surrounding the sports facility.
Residents will also be pleased to discover that $225,500 has also been committed to installing new drainage, kerb and channelling along Chapel Street.
These works will complement the major project by improving stormwater management, general access and the overall appearance of the area.
It is anticipated the drainage works will be finished in April, with the kerb and channelling to be completed by the middle of the year.
Community satisfaction survey underway
If your household is selected to take part in the 2017 Community Satisfaction Survey you have the perfect opportunity to have your say on the Council services that matter most to you.
Throughout February and March residents within Loddon Shire will be randomly selected to participate in the telephone survey, designed to determine satisfaction levels relating to a broad range of services and issues.
If you receive a phone call to participate in the annual local government survey I would encourage you to take a few minutes to do so as your input provides information which will help us to improve future service provision.
We look forward to sharing the results of our formal “report card” with you later in the year.
Solar heated swimming on the horizon
Loddon Shire residents will be tempted to dive into the swimming season at the first opportunity next summer, with Council’s pools to benefit from solar heating.
The $300,000 project will help make swimming a more appealing and accessible option for all residents to stay fit and healthy over the summer months.
Sport and Recreation Victoria has committed $200,000 towards the project, with Council contributing the remaining $100,000 through its seasonal pools program.
While there are no immediate plans to extend the swimming season following the solar heating installation, it may be something Council considers further down the track.
Moving on with revised plans
Wedderburn residents can expect to see work on the streetscape improvement project resume by the beginning of April.
The streetscape improvement plans are being amended to ensure the fence and plinth surrounding Soldier’s Memorial Park are retained and not obscured, in accordance with VCAT’s final decision.
Council will work with The Wedderburn Korong Vale RSL Sub Branch to determine the colours of the fence restoration as this important project moves forward.
Library agencies across Loddon open
Residents living in several different localities and township across Loddon Shire will this week be able to borrow books from a Goldfields Libraries permanent library agency close to home for the very first time. These agencies replace the previous mobile library service.
A permanent library agency will open at Dingee Memorial Hall today, Tuesday February 7.
The Wedderburn agency will throw its doors open for business at The Wedderburn Community Centre for the very first time tomorrow, Wednesday 8 February.
Agencies located at the Boort Resource and Information Centre and Tarnagulla Community Centre are scheduled to open the very next day, Thursday 9 February.
Inglewood residents will be able to borrow from the Inglewood Community Neighbourhood House from Monday 13 February.
Pyramid Hill residents are already making the most of their library agency.
Each of the new library services will be attended by local staff and volunteers during opening hours, and there will be library staff from Goldfields Library Corporation on hand once a week.
Library users will be able to browse the collection in the agency or search the library catalogue and reserve any of the 300,000 items across the entire Goldfields Libraries collection.
To view opening hours and other details visit the library agencies webpage at www.ncgrl.vic.gov.au/libraryagencies