Mayoral Column 7 September 2015
Published on 07 September 2015
Community groups reap the benefits of grants
Photo: Wedderburn Football Club treasurer Kevin Lockhart and president Andrew Lockhart thank Mayor Gavan Holt for Council’s contribution.
Organisations are reaping the benefits of a recent cash injection, with Loddon Shire Council handing over funds to support groups through its Community Grants Program.
In total, 34 community groups have been allocated almost $200,000 to undertake projects throughout the municipality in the 2015/16 financial year.
Wedderburn Football Club was just one organisation that received a grant. The club applied for a grant to support the purchase of a ground maintenance spray unit.
The cost of the unit was $2673, with Council contributing $1759. The unit will be used to spray weeds at Donaldson Park Reserve, especially on the football and hockey fields.
This is just one example of a club that has benefited from the large number of community grants Loddon Shire Council funds each year.
I encourage community groups to have a think over the next 12 months about what they could make an application for.
Community grants will open again next year in February.
Putting a spring in our step
With spring upon us, it is a cheering thought to think that the new season brings with it an annual celebration of the outdoors which showcases the best of the region’s natural attractions and draws visitors from across the state.
The program for this year’s Naturally Loddon Spring Festival has been released, with a varied offering of activities for all ages.
The first event was on Sunday 6 September at John and Sonia Piccoli’s Star Spanner Sculpture Gardens at Barraport.
From there, the program provides a wide range of events, including a wetlands guided tour, the Pyramid Hill fiesta, exhibitions, displays and information sessions, an archery open day, a fishing competition and Boort’s Luncheon by the Lake.
This year’s activities offer something to do for everyone, with many free to attend.
Naturally Loddon is not only an opportunity for local residents to get out and enjoy themselves, but also a great chance for day visitors and others to explore what the region has to offer.
To obtain a Naturally Loddon Spring Festival Calendar brochure, please check the usual tourist information outlets around the shire, phone the Loddon Visitor Information Centre on 5494 1257 or email your request to loddonvisitorinformation@loddon.vic.gov.au.
Inglewood Standpipe back in action
I am pleased to advise that following a short hiatus, as of 2 September, the Inglewood standpipe facility is once again operational and available for use by the public.
The site has been out of action for a number of months following a catastrophic pipework failure which required major refurbishment work on the facility.
During the process of completing the required repairs Council has also taken the opportunity to make safety improvements to this site through the reconfiguration of equipment layout and removal of the former overhead boom fill point.
The new standpipe is still located at the intersection of Powlett Road and Belmont Street, however users of this site will note the slightly different configuration of the facility to the other seven standpipe sites across the Shire.
Unlike the old unit, the new standpipe is a “hydrant style” facility. Customers will now only be able to access water at this site via the 50mm male cam-lock fitting mounted at a height of 1.2m above the ground.
For those who have been using such low level fill points, it will be business as usual. However, customers who were accessing their water via the overhead structure will need to obtain their own hose fitted at one end with a 50mm female cam-lock fitting.
The remainder of Council’s standpipes still operate with both overhead and hydrant style fill points, but it is expected that the new facility at Inglewood will set the benchmark for the gradual renewal of all standpipes across the municipality.
Council will shortly be reviewing the extent of standpipe services offered across the Shire with the aim of minimising operational costs and associated standpipe usage fees. Enquiries regarding usage of any of Council’s eight standpipes may be directed to the Infrastructure Department on (03) 5494 1200.
Serpentine’s toilet works under way
Works are well under way to ensure Serpentine residents and tourists have access to a brand new toilet facility.
The demolition of the old public toilets has taken place and the foundations of the new building have been laid.
A new wastewater treatment plant has also been installed.
The bulk of the $170,000 works will be completed by early November.
In the meantime, people needing to use public toilets can use the temporary toilets which are located in the car park, adjacent to the Shire office.