Loddon Shire Mayoral Column 12 April

Published on 12 April 2022

Japanese Encephalitis virus – Community Forum

A reminder that residents and businesses in north and north western Victoria are invited to join an online Community Forum this afternoon (Tuesday 12 April) from 5.30pm to 6.30pm regarding Japanese Encephalitis virus.

The online event will be hosted by the Department of Health and Agriculture Victoria, which lead the state’s response to Japanese Encephalitis (JE) virus. It is an opportunity to learn about the transmission and impact of JE virus, ways the Department of Health and Agriculture Victoria are responding to the outbreak, regions impacted by the virus and how you can prevent the spread of JE virus.

A portion of the event will be set aside for you to raise questions, which will be answered by representatives from the Department of Health or Agriculture Victoria.

Speakers will include Professor Deborah Friedman, Deputy Chief Health Officer – Communicable Diseases, Victorian Department of Health and Dr Graeme Cooke, Chief Veterinary Officer, Agriculture Victoria.

Boort Scarred Trees Masterplan available for comment

The draft Boort Scarred Trees Masterplan is now available for public comment until 4pm Tuesday 26 April.

The Masterplan has been developed in close collaboration and with support from key stakeholder organisations including the Dja Dja Wurrung Aboriginal Clans Corporation, Parks Victoria and other responsible agencies. Its development has also been made possible with State Government funding support through Regional Development Victoria.

A cost benefit analysis, tourism assessments, estimates and plans have all been considered in the development of the Masterplan.

The concept design has undergone significant consultation during development, and now final comment is welcomed on the supporting information in this complete draft masterplan.

To view the draft Masterplan visit Council's website.

Any comment on the draft Masterplan will be required by 4pm on Tuesday 26 April 2022 for it to be considered in the final document.

Feedback or enquiries can be directed to executive@loddon.vic.gov.au

Small Business Digital Adaptation Program

The third round of the Victorian Government’s Small Business Digital Adaptation Program is now open.

The program provides a $1200 rebate to access a range of digital business tools to help modernise business operations.

These could include online menus and ordering systems, invoicing, stock and business management tools website, and e-commerce platforms.

More information about the program is available from the Small Business Adaptation Program website.

Applications are open until 11:59pm Monday 18 July 2022 or when funds are fully allocated – whichever comes first.

Victorian Honour Roll of Women – nominations open

Nominations are now open for the 2022 Victorian Honour Roll of Women. Inductees to the Honour Roll are recognised for their achievements in a broad range of fields, including science, arts, environment, law, social justice, family violence prevention, research, health, media and education.

Victorian women may be nominated for their achievements across five categories: Change Agent, Emerging Leader (open to women aged 16 to 30), Leading through Disaster, Local Champion and Trailblazer.

Nominations are open until 11.59 pm, Thursday 28 April 2022. For more information visit the Victorian Honour Roll of Women website.

Happy Easter

With the Easter long weekend coming up, I’d like to wish all residents a very happy Easter, and a relaxing long weekend.

Easter is always a great time of year in the Loddon region – including for getting away from it all and enjoying our region’s many outdoor recreation activities on offer. I’d also like to make mention of the Boort Lawn Tennis Club 2022 Easter Tournament and Wedderburn Bowls Club Annual Easter Tournament on this weekend – great events which will see a number of participants as well as visitors coming to our Shire.

If you are planning on heading away this Easter please be mindful that there will be extra traffic on the road and to make sure you take plenty of rest breaks – including at a Driver Reviver site. For example, the East Loddon Lions Club Driver Reviver will be at the Bears Lagoon wayside stop from 3.30pm on Thursday 14 April, through to that evening. The wayside stop will have tea, coffee, a barbecue as well as portable toilets.

Just a reminder that due to the Good Friday and Easter Monday public holidays, Council offices will close at 4.45pm this Thursday 14 April and reopen at 8.15am on Tuesday 19 April.

The Loddon Visitor Information Centre will be closed on Good Friday, but is otherwise open Monday to Saturday from 9am to 5pm and from 10am to 4pm on Sundays and other public holidays. For enquiries phone (03) 5494 3489.

Kerbside collections will take place as normal on Good Friday and Easter Monday. All waste facilities across the Shire are closed on public holidays, which includes Easter Saturday and Easter Sunday.