Loddon Shire Mayoral Column 15 March 2022
Published on 15 March 2022
Minelab Detector Jamboree Wedderburn
On the weekend I had the pleasure of attending the Detector Jamboree along with Cr Gavan Holt, Wedderburn Ward Councillor.
Loddon Shire sponsored the detector hunt, which had a record of 250 registered competitors. The Jamboree was well patronised with a large crowd of competitors, family and spectators also in attendance to enjoy the demonstrations and additional events.
Pig farmers and horse owners urged to take steps to reduce mosquito exposure
Agriculture Victoria is urging pig farmers and horse owners to take steps to reduce exposure to mosquitoes.
Cases of Japanese encephalitis virus have been confirmed in piggeries in Loddon Shire, Gannawarra Shire, Campaspe Shire, Greater Bendigo, Greater Shepparton and Rural City of Wangaratta.
Agriculture Victoria staff are continuing surveillance activities and providing information and advice to farmers.
Japanese encephalitis occurs most commonly in pigs and horses and can cause reproductive losses for susceptible animal species.
As infection can occur from a bite from an infected mosquito, mosquito control is crucial to protect humans, pigs and horses.
People with increased exposure to mosquitoes may be at a higher risk of infection, particularly people working or living on pig farms, and people working or spending time outdoors in these regions.
Agriculture Victoria is encouraging pig farmers and horse owners to eliminate mosquito breeding grounds near their animals, such as stagnant water, to reduce the chances of them being bitten.
The Chief Health Officer has also issued advice for people to protect themselves from mosquito bites. This includes wearing long, loose fitting clothes outdoors and using effective mosquito repellents containing picaridin or DEET on all exposed skin and trying to limit outdoor activity if lots of mosquitoes are around.
People cannot be infected by eating pig meat. Pork meat or pork products are safe to consume.
Report any cases of unexplained pig deaths, especially piglets, or unexplained horse illnesses, to the 24-hour Emergency Animal Disease Watch Hotline on 1800 675 888, to your local vet or to Agriculture Victoria animal health staff.
For more information visit: agriculture.vic.gov.au/je
Department of Health public health advice is available at:
www.health.vic.gov.au/infectious-diseases/japanese-encephalitis-virus
Know Your Soils Field Day
The Loddon Plains Future Farming Regenerative Agriculture Group will be holding a Know Your Soils Filed Day and Soil Pit Demonstration on Tuesday 22 March from 10am to 4pm.
The day will provide knowledge around understanding and managing your soils, assessing soils and soil profiles, soil test interpretation, introduction to soil biology and a demonstration of taking a soil sample for testing.
The field day will be held in the Inglewood-Salisbury West area at a location to be advised. For more information and to book visit https://lpln.org/events/
Get Active Kids Voucher Program
The Get Active Kids Voucher Program helps eligible families get their kids involved in organised sport and recreation activities by reimbursing the cost of membership, registration fees, uniforms and equipment.
Children eligible for the program may be able to receive up to $200 each.
To apply for a voucher, your child must be aged from 0 to 18 years, a Victorian resident, and be named on either an Australian Government Healthcare Card or Pensioner Concession Card and Medicare card.
Applications open on 21 March. For more information and to apply visit www.getactive.vic.gov.au/vouchers/
Inspect your dam
Agriculture Victoria is encouraging farmers to undertake a detailed inspection of their dams, following significant storm and flood events in recent months.
According to Agriculture Victoria, the risk of dam failure has increased significantly due to the rapid rise in dam water levels, overtopping of dam walls and blocked spillways.
Landholders are being encouraged to regularly monitor their gully dams to look for signs of bank subsidence, cracking, leaks or tunnelling.
Landholders should also check dam spillways and outlet pipes to ensure they have ample capacity and are free of sediment, debris and excessive vegetation.
Gully dams are of particular concern as much of the water is stored above ground level and held back by an earthen bank. The sudden failure of a gully dam can pose a major safety issue to individuals and communities downstream, as well as resulting in the loss of the water and added cost of repairs.
For further information on managing dams, go to https://agriculture.vic.gov.au/farm-management/water/managing-dams