Loddon Shire Mayoral Column 11 January
Published on 11 January 2022
Happy New Year
Welcome to the first Mayoral Column for 2022. I hope all residents had a great Christmas and a happy New Year. On behalf of Loddon Shire Council, I would also like to wish you a happy and successful year ahead.
It looks to be another busy year for Council, with a number of exciting projects on the horizon – including the Donaldson Park Community Hub and Pyramid Hill Streetscape Revitalisation Project. This is in addition to other planned works around the Shire on roads, bridges, townships and parks and gardens.
Together with Council, I also look forward to continuing to work with our community in advancing the Community Vision 2031 – that is “Creating a community where everyone is welcome and has the opportunity to live, work and thrive”.
Bushfire planning provisions feedback sought
The Victorian Government is currently consulting with the community about making the existing bushfire planning scheme provision clearer.
It is seeking feedback on issues and opportunities with the bushfire planning provisions including developing:
- a more usable state bushfire planning policy
- clearer planning requirements for developing land in bushfire prone areas
- better bushfire hazard assessments
- improving the implementation of bushfire-related planning permit conditions
- training and capacity building opportunities
The Victorian Government remains committed to the planning policy objective of prioritising life in decision making.
For more information and to read the discussion paper and make a submission, visit Engage Victoria.
Consultation closes 11 February 2022.
Gladfield Road closure for culvert replacement
Gladfield Road in the Gladfield district will be closed to through traffic from Tuesday 11 January 2022 for the completion of culvert replacement works on the Calivil Creek (between Shipps Road and Herdmans Road).
It is expected the road will be closed for up to two weeks. A detour is signed to the South around the works.
Any further changes to the closure will be advised through Council’s Facebook page.
Expressions of interest for GWMWater Community Panel
GWMWater is seeking expressions of interest from customers and community across its operational area to join its Community Panel 2022.
The panel is being formed to provide customer and community perspectives on GWMWater’s proposed services and pricing for its 2023-2028 Pricing Submission to the Essential Services Commission.
The panel will meet up to five times between March and June 2022.
GWMWater is seeking to appoint a diverse range of community members including, residential, rural and commercial customers from across its operational area.
To find out more visit the GWMWater website.
Startup Central Vic accelerator program EOIs close soon
A reminder that expressions of interest (EOI) for round two of Startup Central Victoria’s next Accelerator Program close Monday 24 January 2022.
The Accelerator Program, which starts in early February, has 15 places available, and is open to aspiring and emerging entrepreneurs aged 18 years-plus (individuals and teams) from central Victoria who are looking to startup or scale up a business idea.
The program includes 12 free hybrid evening sessions with three tailored learning streams and is supported by experts, coaches and mentors.
The three tailored streams are Discovery – early-stage founders; Development – creation, testing and validation; and Advanced – scaling-up nationally and internationally.
For more information and to submit an EOI visit Startup Central Victoria.
Deaf Children Australia’s inaugural art competition
Deaf Children Australia’s inaugural Art Competition is currently open until 23 January.
This competition is open to deaf and hard of hearing young people aged between 12 and 23, and is designed to provide young people with a platform to explore deaf identity through this year’s theme: This is Me.
More information is available from the Deaf Children Australia website.
Changes to COVID-19 requirements
The State Government has recently introduced some changes around COVID-19 requirements, including the mandating of masks for all indoor settings (except in the home) for everyone aged eight and above, unless an exception applies.
There has also been changes to testing and isolation protocols, including the use of rapid antigen test as a first option and reporting these results.
More information regarding COVID-19 and current restrictions and requirements is available here.