Mayoral Column 8 May 2017
Published on 08 May 2017
State Budget positives
Last week’s State Budget includes significant funding that will help councils in general to deliver support to their communities, and some items will directly relate to Loddon’s directions proposed in our draft 2017 – 2021 Council Plan.
In terms of providing “support for our traditional industries” and “facilitating business initiatives and growth”, it is hoped that the Serpentine area’s share of the $12 million to support adoption of internet enabled on farm technologies will contribute to Council’s strategic objective of “development of a prosperous and diverse economy”.
Funding for upgrades to the Calder Highway and delivering intersection improvements on the Wimmera Highway/Bridgewater-Maldon Road, Newbridge can help with the safety of our road users and support Council’s advocacy for “delivery of quality roads and strategic freight routes”.
It was also pleasing to see funding for upgraded police station facilities at Wedderburn and more funding support for the State Emergency Services across Victoria.
We will look forward to more detail about the outcomes anticipated from the proposals in the State Budget, and seeing how we may benefit from other budget initiatives including Regional Partnerships priorities, regional rail services, roadside pests and weeds, bushfire risk mitigation, and sports infrastructure.
Depot upgrade under way
Site works have commenced on a much-awaited expansion of the Wedderburn depot.
Staff that relocated from the Council offices in High Street to the operations centre more than a year ago have been working from the main stores shed in a temporary arrangement under conditions that have been dusty, drafty and cold in winter and hot in summer.
When completed, the new offices will provide modern and comfortable facilities for depot operations and administration staff.
The building will include a reception and public entry area, two offices, and open plan work stations.
In addition, existing amenities will be upgraded for compliance with current accessibility standards, and power will be provided to the entrance of the depot to enable future installation of a boom gate.
Depending on the weather we experience in the coming months, works are expected to be completed by the end of August this year.
I trust that the wait will have been worth it for those staff who will have the opportunity to enjoy the new modern facilities.
Celebrate National Simultaneous Storytime at Inglewood Library Agency
Young families and junior school groups are invited to join in a fabulous Story Theatre presentation at Inglewood Library Agency to celebrate National Simultaneous Storytime.
Story theatre performer Robin will wow the crowd with his presentation of this year’s selected book, The Cow Tripped Over the Moon, and all-time favourite, Harry High Pants, both by author Tony Wilson.
There will be loads of fun, plenty of attempts of jumping the moon along with Harry High Pants adventures to take kids away to the moon and back. It won’t be just the little dog laughing to these wonderful stories about perseverance, friendship and triumph!
National Simultaneous Storytime is held every year and is Australia’s biggest storytelling session! The same book will be read to children across Australia at the same time.
The session will held on Wednesday 24 May at 11-11.45am, at the new Inglewood Library Agency, in the Town Hall Hub at 20 Verdon Street.
The event is free – families are welcome and no bookings are required.
Junior school classes and groups are also welcome – bookings required. RSVP to narellec@ncgrl.vic.gov.au or on 5449 2790.
For more information on Goldfields Libraries, visit www.ncgrl.vic.gov.au
Public Transport Ombudsman - helping resolve public transport related issues
There are a number of public transport projects underway across Victoria which may impact people in Loddon Shire.
The Public Transport Ombudsman wants to ensure our community knows that support is available to help resolve issues that may arise.
The Public Transport Ombudsman (PTO) is a free independent service that can help you resolve complaints about public transport in Victoria.
They look at a wide range of public transport issues including:
• The impact of public transport construction works
• The conduct of staff, including Authorised Officers
• Reliability of services
• myki
• Accessibility
Your complaint must be about one of the members of the Public Transport Ombudsman Scheme:
• Level Crossing Removal Authority
• Melbourne Metro Rail Authority
• Metro Trains
• Public Transport Victoria (PTV) including myki
• Southern Cross Station
• Transdev
• V/line
• VicTrack
• Yarra Trams
• BusVic Members
To make a complaint or for more information, call 1800 466 865 or visit ptovic.com.au