Loddon Shire Mayoral Column 22 March

Published on 22 March 2021

Goulburn to Murray trade and Murray delivery risk webinar

Agriculture Victoria will be holding the next in its irrigation webinar series this Wednesday 24 March from 1pm to 2pm.

The title of the webinar is Goulburn to Murray trade and Murray delivery risk.

Topics will include recent developments in the Goulburn to Murray Trade Review, including proposals for long-term changes to trade and operating rules, and recent findings on Murray River delivery risk.

The webinar will explore what this all means for Victorian irrigators and actions that can be taken to be better prepared, as well as discussing the impact of these developments and the associated management strategies on valuable ecological sites.

After registering, you will receive an email containing information about joining the webinar, including a passcode.

MASH Inglewood meeting a success

The More Australian Solar Homes (MASH) solar and battery storage bulk-buy program meeting in Inglewood earlier this month has been declared a success. More than 20 people attended the meeting, with the program receiving a number of follow-up enquiries.

Cr Linda Jungwirth and Cr Wendy Murphy both attended the meeting, with Cr Murphy providing the opening welcome speech.

The MASH solar bulk-buy program is part of Council’s ongoing partnership with the Central Victorian Greenhouse Alliance. The program makes it easier and more affordable for Loddon Shire households and businesses to install a solar power system in order to cut their electricity bills and CO² emissions.

The next Loddon Shire MASH information meeting will be held at the Boort Resource and Information Centre on Tuesday 13 April from 6pm to 7.30pm.

The information meeting is for anyone (household, business owner or farmer) thinking about getting a solar power system installed and/or battery storage.

To register your place, call 1300 466 274 or visit the MASH website.

Supporting young people during COVID-19 webinar

headspace Bendigo, in partnership with headspace National, will be hosting a webinar this Wednesday for parents and carers of young people around supporting their mental health through COVID-19.

Information presented during the webinar will include strengthening understanding of mental health, building skills and strategies to support mental health and wellbeing of your young person, and the support available to young people. The webinar will also include a presentation on youth mental health, followed by a panel with guest speakers.

The webinar will take place this Wednesday 24 March from 7pm to 8.15pm. Register for the webinar here.

Once you have registered, you will receive an email confirmation including a Zoom meeting link to access the webinar.

For more information email: headspaceSchools@headspace.org.au

Farm Safety Rebate now open

Eligible farm businesses can now apply for a rebate of up to $5000 to invest in infrastructure and equipment to improve safety for workers, visitors and family through the Victorian Government’s Farm Safety Rebate Scheme.

Eligible projects include animal handling infrastructure, animal management infrastructure, chemical handling infrastructure, shearing, dairy or machinery shed upgrades, and creation of safe on-farm play areas for children.

The program will close 31 December 2021 or when all funds are allocated.

For more information or to apply for a rebate visit Rural Finance or call 1800 260 425. You can also email governmentservices@ruralfinance.com.au

Sporting Club Grants Program extended

Applications for the Victorian Government’s Sporting Club Grants Program have been extended to 19 April 2021.

The program provides funds to assist with costs associated with the impact of coronavirus as well as funds for equipment, training coaches, officials and volunteers, and improving administrative expertise.

This latest funding round includes the new Circuit Breaker Event Support category, which provides grants for incurred costs that were unable to be recouped following cancellation (or postponement) of events or activities due to the February circuit-breaker action.

To find out more and to view the grant application guidelines, visit the program's website.