Loddon Shire Mayoral Column
Published on 28 October 2019
Citizenship congratulations
Last week I had the pleasure of presenting citizenship certificates to our newest Australian citizens. Suwattana Chulakathappa, formerly from Thailand, along with Esther Noemi Jacob Domingo and her son Von Marco Domingo Fernandez from the Philippines made the Australian Citizenship Pledge during a ceremony at the Council Chambers last Tuesday.
Changes to the Bridgewater dump point
Patrons at the Bridgewater Public Caravan Park will no longer have to leave the park to dispose of their waste after the installation of a dump point for their use within the Caravan Park.
The dump point at the Bridgewater Recreation Reserve has been decommissioned. The dump point suffered consistent vandalism and misuse, as well as issues with the pressure flow and fall of the sewage line. The new dump point at the Caravan Park has improved pressure for flushing and blackflow prevention and will be monitored by park staff.
Due to public liability and legal requirements, the new dump point is only available to park patrons. This means that the township of Bridgewater will lose its RV Friendly status.
Regenerative Communities Forum
Recently I had the opportunity to address the Regenerative Communities Forum in Mildura on the subject of economic migration – inviting diversity.
The session covered a lot of relevant and interesting issues such how we are injecting new life into our communities by embracing migrants.
Pyramid Hill is an example of how a declining small town with an aging population has been transformed in just over ten years by skilled migration. Over 100 Filipinos now call the town home; boosting the primary school, filling crucial roles in the emergency services and even hosting a vibrant cultural festival.
Another topic of discussion at the forum was the importance of local produce; how we can all help boost our local economy by buying food which is produced and sold locally, and is in season.
The forum offered a unique opportunity for us to learn from the experiences of other towns and see what is being done elsewhere to rejuvenate local economies and communities.
Clean up your property
The CFA reminds us that everyone in Victoria needs to prepare their property for bushfire, not just those who live on rural properties. There are many blocks and properties around our towns that look untidy and pose a fire risk as the weather warms up.
The CFA recommends removal of flammables from close to the house, keeping grass to less than 10cm, pruning trees and shrubs near buildings, keeping rooftops and gutters clear of leaf litter and keeping woodpiles tidy and away from houses.
As I have mentioned in previous Mayoral Columns, long grass and rubbish on your property can also attract vermin and snakes. There have already been a number of sightings of snakes in built-up areas this spring.
If your property is unsightly I would urge you rectify that immediately. Residents who fail to keep their property safe and well maintained not only aggravate their neighbours, but may receive a formal notice to comply with the local law to tidy their properties. If you have any questions please contact Council on 5494 1200.
Taking pride in where we live and work makes Loddon Shire a more vibrant and liveable place to call home.
Keep in touch van
Yesterday was a wonderful day at the Wedderburn Splatter Run which was held in partnership with Wedderburn College and Inglewood and Districts Health Services.
Now in its second year, the Splatter Run, is a unique event in the Loddon Shire that celebrates healthiness, happiness and encourages the youth of the area to be more active in the community.
In an exciting initiative, the Keep In Touch Van (KIT Van) was launched at the event. The KIT Van is a mobile youth mental health resource which has been created to provide information for the 12-25-year age group and can be accessed for community events.
This roving service has been co-designed and co-led by young people, alongside local government and state government services. The KIT Van promotes a positive mental health message and works in conjunction with other local services providers and the youth crew.
Did you know
Applications are currently open for Loddon Mallee farmers and communities facing drought and dry conditions to gain funding under the Look Over the Farm Gate program.
Look Over the Farm Gate events let farmers take a break from the farm, reconnect, access professional support and participate in mental health training. The program encourages community groups to come up with a creative single event or series of events to most effectively support farmers in their region.
The program is managed by the VFF in partnership with the Royal Flying Doctor Service, the Country Women’s Association, the Country Fire Authority, and The National Centre for Farmer Health. For more information about eligibility and how to apply, visit the website https://lookoverthefarmgate.org.au/.