Loddon Shire Mayoral Column 13 July
Published on 13 July 2021
Baileys Road Bridge replacement underway
Works are currently underway on the replacement of Baileys Road Bridge over Bullock Creek in Derby.
Due to the replacement works, which started yesterday (12 July) the bridge will be closed for up to three months (dependent on weather).
The new bridge will be a concrete structure, and will enable vehicles with a higher load capacity to travel across the bridge.
New South Wales/Victoria border closure
A reminder that all of New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory has been declared a red zone under Victoria’s travel permit system.
This means the Victorian border is effectively closed to New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory – except for Victorian residents returning on a red zone permit for 14 days of quarantine, and for people with exemptions, exceptions or other valid permits (such as specified workers and cross-border residents).
Loddon Shire has been classified as a Local Government Area within the cross-border community.
This means you can enter Victoria without a permit but you must travel with proof of address. You cannot enter if you have been to a red zone outside of the cross-border area, or if you have COVID-19, any symptoms, or have been defined as a close contact by a state health authority.
If you are entering New South Wales as a Victorian cross-border community resident, you must stay within the New South Wales cross-border area. If you travel beyond this area, a red zone permit will be required for re-entry into Victoria. The Victorian Government strongly advises all Victorians against travelling to red zones.
A full list of Victorian Local Government Areas within the cross-border community and advice for cross-border community members is available from the Information for cross-border communities webpage.
Excellent Farming workshop in Wedderburn
Agriculture Victoria will be holding a workshop in Wedderburn next week titled Excellent Farming: Crops, people, money and you.
The workshop will be held at the Wedderburn Bowls Club on Monday 19 July from 12.30pm to 3.30pm (registrations from 12pm), and will be presented by agriculture scientist and author, Dr Kate Burke.
Dr Burke has 30 years’ experience in agriculture, working mostly in northwest Victoria and is the author of Crops, People, Money and You, The Art of Excellent Farming and Better Returns.
The workshop will cover crops, people and money, and the influences that inform both business and personal decisions. Dr Burke will provide valuable insights in managing risk on cropping farms and mixed farms.
Registrations are essential. To register please contact Martin Hamilton on 0429 946 149 or martin.hamilton@agriculture.vic.gov.au
Workshop attendees are asked to bring farm maps, grain yield and gross margin records for crop types, if you have them accessible (the more years, the better).
A to Z waste and recycling guide now available
Council has released a new A to Z waste and recycling guide, which can be used by residents to find where to recycle or dispose of items properly in Loddon Shire.
The guide provides advice as to which items can go into your kerbside bins and what items can be taken to waste landfill or transfer stations. Some goods may also be appropriate to be donated to a local charity and reused.
You can download and print the guide from Council’s website.
Feedback sought for Climate Change Adaption Action Plans
The Victorian Government is inviting all Victorians to have a say on how to make key sectors of the economy and environment more resilient to the impacts of climate change.
Consultation is under way on seven draft Climate Change Adaptation Action Plans: Primary Production, Built Environment, Education and Training, Health and Human Services, Transport, Natural Environment and Water Cycle.
The plans are due to be completed by the end of 2021 and will guide adaptation efforts over the next five years, laying the foundations for dealing with climate change.
View the plans and provide feedback via a survey here.
The survey is open until 11:59pm, Friday 6 August.
Biosecurity Awards nominations open
Nominations for the Australian Biosecurity Awards are now open until 30 July 2021.
The awards recognise individuals, groups and organisations that have shown a commitment to supporting and promoting Australia’s biosecurity and the systems that uphold it.
There are eight categories for the 2021 awards: Dr David Banks Biosecurity Lifetime Achievement, Dr Kim Ritman Award for Science and Innovation, Farm Biosecurity Producer of the Year, Industry, Government, Environmental Biosecurity, Community, and Education.
For more information on the Australian Biosecurity Awards, including the nomination form, visit the awards website.