Loddon Shire Mayoral Column 26 October
Published on 26 October 2021
Restrictions set to ease further
With Victoria set to hit its 80 per cent double-dose vaccination milestone this Friday 29 October – almost a week ahead of schedule, the Victorian Government has announced the further easing of restrictions.
From 6pm this Friday, regional Victoria and metropolitan Melbourne will come together under the same restrictions, meaning that travel between Melbourne and regional Victoria will open up.
Most indoor settings, such as restaurants, pubs, gyms and hairdressers will open with no caps (subject to density limits) if all staff and patrons are fully vaccinated.
Most outdoor settings will remain at one person per two square metres, with a limit up to 500, where staff and patrons are fully vaccinated.
These indoor and outdoor settings will also apply to weddings, funerals and religious gatherings if all attendees are fully vaccinated. Caps of 30 people will apply for weddings, funerals and religious gatherings if vaccination status is unknown.
Masks will remain mandatory indoors but will no longer be required outdoors. However, it’s highly recommended you continue to wear a mask outdoors where you cannot physically distance.
The Victorian Government has further detailed what our state will look like once we hit a 90 per cent double-dose vaccination rate – which is predicted to be 24 November.
This will include a significant easing of all major restrictions, including removal of caps or density quotients for all settings, and masks will only be mandatory indoors in some high-risk settings, such as hospitals, aged care, public transport and justice and correctional facilities.
For more information visit Victoria's Roadmap website.
Adoption of strategic documents
Council has adopted the Road Management Plan and Municipal Health and Wellbeing Plan 2021-2025 at a Special Meeting last week.
The Road Management Plan document sets out to manage the operation and maintenance of Council’s road and footpath assets. It outlines the inspection regime, defect intervention and allowable time for Council to respond to any defect in the road and footpath assets, and is a requirement of the Road Management Act 2004.
The Municipal Health and Wellbeing Plan 2021-2025 includes strategic focus areas of Good Physical Health, Good Mental Health, Protect and promote Health, and Feel safe and secure.
Each theme has priority focus areas and outcomes identified that will contribute to us being healthy and well. To achieve this, services and agencies across Loddon will work together to deliver this plan.
Council is required to prepare a Municipal Public Health and Wellbeing Plan under the Public Health and Wellbeing Act 2008.
To view the documents visit Council's website.
Rural Aid is helping farmers in Loddon
Rural Aid is well known for the highly successful 'Buy a Bale' campaign. But did you know they also provide critical support including water, fodder, financial and counselling assistance to help farmers in times of drought, flood or fire and now COVID-19?
A Rural Aid counsellor can come to you at the farm or if you prefer via a video link or phone chat.
For more information on how Rural Aid can help, head to their website or contact them on 1300 327 624.
Victorian Seniors Festival Reimagined is back
The Victorian Seniors Festival Reimagined has returned – with some big-name stars from Victoria’s arts and entertainment world.
The festival is delighted to bring some fantastic online performances – presenting a diverse and rich mix of programming for their online and radio audience from now until the end of the year.
There are also some great online events to participate in – you can learn something new, check out an online art exhibition or take in a film. There are also live events planned in regional Victoria (where COVID-19 restrictions allow).
Find out more at the Victorian Seniors Festival Reimagined website.
Second round of the Future Drought Fund now open
The second round of the Future Drought Fund is now open and accepting applications by 15 November 2021.
Funding is available for activities that focus on strengthening social connectedness, building social capital and funding transformative local initiatives that will enable agricultural communities to be more prepared for the impacts of drought.
The grants can fund community-led initiatives such as events, projects, activities, training and small-scale infrastructure that will strengthen community engagement, networking and preparedness for drought.
To learn more about the funding, the types of initiatives the program can support, how to apply, and to download the guidelines visit the website.