Loddon Shire Mayoral Column 25 May 2020

Published on 25 May 2020

Loddon Shire COVID-19 updates

Over the past two weeks we have all enjoyed the opportunity to return to some longed-for social and recreational activities with the gradual easing of restrictions. At the same time, we are asked to use common sense when it comes to taking part in activities outside of the family home.

These include limiting our exposure by continuing to maintain a physical distance when out, keeping up careful and thorough handwashing regimes as much as possible, and remaining at home.

This week we will see school children begin a gradual transition back to normal school routines and many businesses, including those in hospitality are also planning for a phased re-opening from the beginning of June.

I would like to take this opportunity to remind everyone that these changes will result in an increase in traffic, particularly in the return to our roads and paths of school children. Please take care around school crossings and remember that speed restrictions at schools apply.

Works continue around COVID-19

Throughout the Shire works have been continuing despite the impacts of the pandemic. Some projects have been delayed or taken longer than usual to complete as staff and contractors work with restrictions.

The construction of footpaths in Inglewood and Bridgewater are nearing completion while those in Wedderburn and Boort are already complete.

Work on the Old Inglewood reservoir has commenced while the Sloans Road bridge has been delayed and work on the ground will commence soon. The start dates for the Kelly Street culvert in Pyramid Hill and the Kiniry Street drainage project in Boort have been delayed.

All reseals for 2019-2020 have been completed.

Online store for Loddon Shire businesses

An exciting collaboration aims to put our unique, gourmet products at the fingertips of food lovers and discerning shoppers throughout Australia.

The development of an online store on the Visit Loddon Valley website, in partnership with the Food Purveyor, will give consumers direct access to the high quality artisan produce of our region, all in one place at one time. The Food Purveyor is a gourmet hamper e-store delivering indulgent food experiences to customers and corporate clients around the country.

By participating in the store, emerging and established Loddon businesses can promote their products to a wider audience and extend their sales reach as part of the recovery of COVID-19.

The store will be accessed via the Visit Loddon Valley website www.visitloddonvalley.com.au. Any Loddon Valley business who would like participate in the initiative should contact the Loddon Visitor Information Centre on (03) 5494 1257 or email loddonvisitorinformation@loddon.vic.gov.au.

Free financial counselling service

Eligible small businesses in rural and regional North West Victoria may take advantage of free financial counselling from Rural Financial Counselling Service.

The counsellors can provide existing and emerging small businesses with the tools to make informed financial and business decisions, including advice on costing, employer obligations, superannuation, taxation obligations, good record keeping and debt management.

To make an appointment or for more information phone 1300 769 489 or visit the website: www.sunrcs.com.au/organisation/smallbusinessfinancialcounsellor.

Keeping active at home

Regular physical activity plays an important role in maintaining and improving good physical and mental health. It is recommended that adults should aim to be active on most days as every little bit adds up. Try to do 30 minutes of moderate exercise every day and muscle strengthening exercise at least two days of the week.

Over the past few months, with our regular routines disrupted, many people have found new and innovative ways to keep active. If you are working from home, don’t forget to break up time spent sitting at your desk. This could include standing up to talk or read documents and taking short breaks throughout the day.  

Start small and gradually increase duration, frequency and intensity. Also, ensure you follow current advice on physical distancing and stay safe when outside.

Council elections

The Victorian Government recently announced that Council elections in Victoria will go ahead as planned on Saturday 24 October 2020, by postal votes.

To ensure the election is safe, and in an acknowledgement of physical distancing requirements, longer candidate statements will be allowed in the Victorian Electoral Commission Voter Information packs and guidance will be available on suitable and safe campaigning methods.

Being a Councillor in Local Government offers individuals the opportunity to contribute to a greater degree in the development of their community, to take part in strategic choices about budgets, economic growth, quality of life and social justice.

It has been a great honour for me to work with Council and our communities to advance many worthwhile projects, to encourage the growth of our population and continue to improve the liveability of our towns and region.

To find out more about running for Council, as well as a raft of valuable links and resources, visit our website https://www.loddon.vic.gov.au/Our-Council/Council/Council-elections.

Pyramid Hill and East Loddon winners in funding announcement

In a bid to drive economic activity and create jobs across Victoria in the wake of the impact of coronavirus, the Victorian Government announced that East Loddon P-12 College and the Pyramid Hill streetscape would be among the recipients of extra funds for their “shovel ready projects”.

As part of the school infrastructure projects, East Loddon P-12 College will receive $4.05 million to upgrade and modernise the school. This is in addition to the $450,000 provided to the college in the Victorian Budget 2019/2020.

Urban streetscape upgrades planned for Pyramid Hill will be boosted by $800,000 which will be used to enhance public spaces. The project is expected to improve pedestrian safety, link key public spaces and provide additional landscaping and shade.

I welcome the funding for our region, not only to help improve the liveability of our towns and support local business and jobs, but also as a great boost to the morale of the Shire.

Wedderburn has talent

Congratulations to 17-year-old Wedderburn Secondary College student Mikala McNeill who recently won Bendigo’s Got Talent ahead of nine other talented finalists.

Mikala entered the competition playing the guitar and singing the James Arthur song ‘Say you won’t let go’. The competition was run by Headspace Bendigo who switched to an online version in response to COVID-19 restrictions.

The event aimed to connect and engage youth from across central Victoria. More than 1500 people took part in the online voting and the top 10 contestants videos are still available to view online at bit.ly/BGT2020TheTop10.

Volunteer Week

Last week we acknowledged the invaluable contribution of our wonderful volunteers across the Loddon shire. Our volunteers are the backbone of many community organisations and we have nearly double the average rate of volunteering compared to other regions in Australia.

I would like to acknowledge Frank Winzar, one of our hard-working, selfless volunteers who passed away last week at the age of 93. Due to the restrictions still in place to combat the spread of coronavirus, many people were unable to pay their respects to Mr Winzar at his funeral.

In 2017, Mr Winzar was recognised by Council for his outstanding contribution to the Dingee community.  Not only was Mr Winzar active in the East Loddon Lions Club, he was involved with management of Dingee Park, where he was still looking after the toilets until two weeks ago.  He was also a life member of the Dingee Bush Nursing Centre, having served on the Board for over 40 years. Frank will be sadly missed by the Dingee and East Loddon Communities.