Loddon Shire Mayoral Column 30 August 2022
Published on 30 August 2022
Submissions for Draft Community Local Law closing Wednesday
A reminder that submissions for the draft Community Local Law close this Wednesday 31 August at 5pm.
If you haven’t had a chance to, I encourage you to please go to Council’s website and to view the Draft Community Local Law and associated documents.
You can access the Draft Community Local Law and documents (and submit your comment) via Council’s website.
A copy of the draft local law is available for inspection (or can be printed on request) at the Council offices, 41 High Street, Wedderburn during business hours.
If you would like to have your say or for further information, please contact David Price at Council on (03) 5494 1225 or email loddon@loddon.vic.gov.au
Community grants program – Group 2
At its August meeting last week, Council endorsed the allocation of $69,851 in grants for Group 2 applications under the 2022/23 Loddon Shire Community Grants Scheme.
Ten applicants received funding, including Boort Yando Cricket Club, Bridgewater Cricket Club, Calivil United Football and Netball Club, Inglewood Bowling Club and Inglewood Town Hall Hub Community Asset Committee.
Lifeline Central Victoria and Mallee, Northern Victorian Quarter Horse Association, Pyramid Hill Golf Club, Wedderburn Band Cricket Club and Wedderburn Bowls Club also received funding.
Other items from Council Meeting
Last week’s Council meeting also saw a number of other items on the agenda, including the presentation of financial reports (2021/22 Financial and Performance Statements and 2021/22 End of Financial Year Variation Analysis).
These reports showed Loddon Shire in a good financial position, including a greater surplus, in excess of expectation. As well as strong financial management by officers responsible for delivering projects and programs, part of this surplus is also a result of projects being carried forward due to delays because of COVID-19.
A number of quarterly reports were also presented. These included Public Health, Road Management Plan Defect Rectification Compliance, Local Laws and Planning Compliance, Annual Infrastructure Program, Statutory Planning Permit Activity, Strategic Planning and Building Services.
Of note in these quarterly reports was the processing of planning permits by Council in the 60-day timeframe required under the Planning and Environment Act 1987.
During the fourth quarter of the 2021-2022 financial year, 81 per cent of all Planning Permit applications were assessed and issued within the 60-day timeframe. This is 16 per cent above the rural council average.
In addition, the median processing days for Council to make a determination on applications is 33 days – well below the rural average of 73 days.
The Quarterly Building Services Activity Report, showing the number of new building permits and value of works, further highlighted the positive amount of activity going on in our Shire, and people investing in the area.
To view Council meeting agendas and minutes visit the Loddon Shire website.
Draft Korong Vale Flood Study
The North Central Catchment Management Authority (CMA), in partnership with Loddon Shire Council, and Victorian State Emergency Service has begun work on the Draft Korong Vale Flood Study.
The study will use modelling tools to define the flood risk in the town, produce detailed visual representations of a range of potential flood events, and investigate a range of measures to manage and mitigate flood risk.
As part of the flood study, the Korong Vale community is being asked to contribute their local knowledge and experiences about floods in the area.
The community can get involved in the study through a couple of ways, including a community drop-in session at Scully’s Korong Vale Hotel this Thursday 1 September from 3pm to 5pm.
The drop-in session will provide an opportunity to learn more about the study, and to share your experiences of flooding in the town. Community members are encouraged to bring along their photos of flooding and drainage issues to share.
Locals are also being asked to complete a questionnaire regarding flooding in the area, available via the North Central CMA website.
Copies of the questionnaire will also be available during the drop-in session on 1 September.
Horticulture Netting Program grants
Grant applications are now open until 17 October 2022 for the Horticulture Netting Program.
The grants (which are capped at $150,000) are available to eligible producers covering up to 50 per cent of the cost to purchase or install horticultural netting over commercial production areas.
For more information or to lodge an application visit the Agriculture Victoria website.