Loddon Shire Mayoral Column 29 March
Published on 29 March 2022
Lake Boort Foreshore Recreation Precinct Project endorsed
At its March Meeting last Tuesday (22 March), Council endorsed the staging of the Lake Boort Foreshore Recreation Precinct Project and approved a funding application from the Boort Bowls Club for $301,970 to deliver Stage 1 of the project.
Stage 1 will involve the replacement of the Boort Bowls Club irrigated turf with a World Bowls-approved synthetic turf before the next bowls season. Funding for Stage 1 is from the Boort Ward Strategic Fund, allocated to the Boort Foreshore Sporting Precinct by Council resolution at the September 2020 Meeting.
The Lake Boort Foreshore Recreation Precinct Project includes the bowls club synthetic green (Stage 1), tennis courts fencing and lighting, and the installation of a pump park and basketball half court (using a portion of the current tennis courts). There may be additional works identified at the croquet club as planning progresses.
Stage 2 includes the planning, design and costing of the pump track and basketball half-court, tennis fencing and lighting and potentially works at the croquet club.
Stage 3 is the funding and construction of the works as identified in Stage 2.
It’s fantastic to see this project moving along – a project that will benefit the Boort community, as well as our wider Loddon Shire residents, and visitors to our region.
Other outcomes from the Council meeting
Last Tuesday’s Council meeting also saw a number of other items considered by Council.
This includes endorsing an extension to Council’s Access and Inclusion Plan (formerly the Disability Access and Inclusion Plan) for a period of 12 months.
The Access and Inclusion Plan reflects Council’s commitment to continue to reduce barriers experienced by people with disability. Reducing these barriers means that more people are able to access and participate in services, employment and social activities within the Loddon Shire community.
Council also adopted the Road Asset Management Plan and Building Asset Management Plan.
The Road Asset Management Plan outlines key elements involved in managing Council’s road assets. The road network is the largest asset class at Council. The network was valued at $375,393,062 in 2020/21, and comprises approximately 4,700km of sealed, gravel, and formed roads.
The Building Asset Management Plan outlines key elements involved in managing Council’s building assets associated with caravan parks, community centres, Council depots, elderly persons units, Council offices, preschools and child health centres, public halls, public toilets, recreation reserve buildings, senior citizens centres, staff accommodation and miscellaneous ‘other’ buildings.
Both plans combine management, financial, engineering and technical practices to outline a framework that ensures the level of service required by the community is provided at the lowest long-term cost and within the limits of Council’s fiscal constraints.
To view the minutes from the March Council Meeting visit Council's website.
Fire Danger Period lifted
The Fire Danger Period for Loddon Shire was lifted as of 1am Monday 28 March 2022.
The CFA is reminding community members that while the Fire Danger Period has ended, it is still important that residents check that local conditions are safe for any burn-off you’re considering undertaking.
You must register your burn-offs, check weather conditions and follow local council laws and regulations.
Registering your burn-off ensures that if somebody reports smoke, the incident will be cross-checked with the burn-off register, which will then prevent volunteer firefighters being taken away from workplaces, families and potentially genuine emergencies.
Landowners can now register their burn-off online.
Alternatively, you can register with the Emergency Services Telecommunications Authority (ESTA) by calling 1800 668 511 or emailing burnoffs@esta.vic.gov.au
For more information visit the CFA website.
Victorian Dining and Entertainment Program
The State Government’s Victorian Dining and Entertainment Program opens today, 29 March. Claims for the Dining Program opened at 10am, while claims for the Entertainment Program open at 3pm.
The Victorian Dining and Entertainment Program encourages people to get out and enjoy the world-class dining and entertainment experiences Victoria has to offer.
Each customer can claim back 25 per cent on eligible purchases. Up to $125 in combined rebates for dining and entertainment is available per person.
Claims will be accepted on a first-come-first-served basis until funds run out.
To find out more visit the Victorian Dining and Entertainment Program website.
Another great weekend of events
The weekend saw another fantastic round of events in Loddon Shire, with Mother Nature treating us to beautiful weather once again.
I was fortunate to attend the Eddington Vintage Sports Car Club Sprints on Saturday (26 March). It was a great day with a fantastic crowd, and I’d like to thank the organising committee and volunteers for putting on such a great event, as well as catering.
There was a large variety of old classic cars from across the world – including some very old vehicles. The event also featured historic motorbikes, which also ran on the day.
Other events that I heard were well attended over the weekend included the Logan Car Show (held on the same day as the Eddington Car Sprints), the Corry Classic bike race in Newbridge, and the Women on Farms gathering in Inglewood (from the Friday to Sunday).
I’d also like to make mention of a significant fundraising event held on Sunday (27 March) supported by the Mitiamo Football Netball Club for former Mitiamo footballer Allan Findlay, who recently suffered a debilitating stroke and is currently undergoing rehabilitation.
The Findlay Family Fundraiser, initiated by the Eaglehawk Football Netball Club, saw hundreds of people in attendance. This included a great show of support by Loddon Shire locals who went along to the fundraiser.
Allan played junior footy at Mitiamo, and played in the club’s back-to-back premierships in 1976 and 1977. He won the club’s under 16 Best and Fairest in 1977, and won the LVFL Under 16 Goal Kicking Award the same year with 116 goals – the highest number kicked by a Mitiamo player in a single season of any grade of football.
He played his first full season of senior football with Mitiamo at the age of 16 in 1978 and was a playing member of the 1979 senior premiership.
My thoughts and best wishes are with Allan and the Findlay Family during this challenging time, and as Allan embarks on his rehabilitation journey.