Mayoral Column 8 January 2018
Published on 08 January 2018
December Storm Clean Up
Council would like to acknowledge the efforts of local CFA Brigades, SES and individuals who assisted with the clean up following the recent storm event.
On behalf of the Loddon Shire community members we thank you for your dedication and commitment to your community.
Giving northern Victorian councils a stronger voice
This year Loddon Shire is Chair of the Murray River Group of Councils and will be hosting its first meeting in March.
Including Loddon Shire, the Murray River Group of Councils (MRGC) comprises six councils in northern Victoria – Mildura and Swan Hill Rural City Councils, and Gannawarra, Campaspe and Moira Shires.
Established in 2006, this united group of councils ensures we have a single voice when it comes to advocating to politicians (both state and federal) and key decision makers on behalf of our communities on common issues.
The MRGC also works constructively with governments to find solutions to issues facing our communities, and acts as a single point of contact for governments, councils and other stakeholders to provide, discuss and respond to issues and initiatives.
The MRGC’s priorities include water (such as the balanced implementation of the Murray Darling Basin Plan), the long-term availability and affordability of energy, investment in roads and bridges to improve transport connectivity, and tourism.
The group represents some 157,000 people and 63,000 jobs across all sectors – including key industries such as agriculture, manufacturing, retail, tourism, health and social care.
As Chair of the MRGC for 2018 Loddon Shire looks forward to continuing to work with the five other member councils and ensuring our communities’ voices and concerns are heard.
Rates in full payment reminder
If you have elected to pay your rates in full, you would have recently received a courtesy letter as a reminder that rates are due next month on 15 February.
As well as a reminder to residents who opted to pay their rates in full, the courtesy letter is an opportunity to check your billing address and make sure it is correct. Council also now provides an option to receive your rates notices via email.
Additionally, if you anticipate that you might have an issue in paying your rates, it’s important to talk to Council.
If you’ve noticed that your contact details are incorrect, would like to register to have your rates notice sent via email, have any questions or would like to discuss payment of your rates, please contact Julie in Council’s Rates Department on 5494 1200.
Disability Access and Inclusion Plan feedback
Residents are being asked to provide their feedback to Council’s Disability Access and Inclusion Plan 2017-2021 which is now out for public comment.
Council would like to hear from our community regarding the draft plan – particularly from our residents who face accessibility and inclusion barriers, and if this plan meets expectations in helping reduce these challenges.
According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, in 2015 approximately 18.3 per cent (4.3 million) of the national population reported living with a disability – almost one in five Australians. Going by this data, this means approximately 1383 residents of Loddon Shire could have some form of disability.
This figure increases when taking into consideration temporary disabilities and Loddon Shire’s ageing population, many of whom do not identify as having a disability and therefore are not recorded in demographic statistics.
The updated plan has been developed following extensive consultation with community and staff, and reflects Council’s commitment in continuing to reduce barriers experienced by people with a disability. This includes people living with a disability, as well as improved access for all community members such as the elderly, parents with prams, young children and people who use English as a second language.
To view the draft Disability Access and Inclusion Plan 2017-2021, visit www.loddon.vic.gov.au. Feedback to the draft plan closes on Sunday 4 February.