Loddon Shire Mayoral Column 7 September
Published on 07 September 2021
Changes to cross border community bubble
A reminder that Loddon Shire Council is no longer included in the cross border community bubble. This means residents in the Loddon Shire area are not eligible for a Cross-border Extreme Risk Zone permit to enter Victoria from New South Wales.
Victorian residents who need to cross the border for critical work purposes may be eligible for a Specified Worker Permit. As per the requirements of the permit, your specified work must be urgent, essential to the operations of your employer or customer, and can’t be done in a timely way by anyone else.
Evidence of eligibility will need to be provided, such as a letter from an employer on company letterhead.
More information, including the list of allowable work under the Specified Worker Permit and other requirements, is available here.
Support for Victorian businesses extended
The Commonwealth and Victorian Governments have announced a four-week boost to small and medium-sized Victorian businesses most impacted by current public health restrictions.
The business support payments, confirmed on Saturday 4 September, will cover a four-week period ending on Thursday 30 September.
The vast majority of payments will be deposited automatically into businesses’ bank accounts, while a new tiered payments system for the Business Costs Assistance Program will allow for higher payments to businesses with more workers.
Business Costs Assistance Program payments will be automatically made at rates of $2,800, $5,600 and $8,400 a week over September, depending on payroll size.
Eligible cafes, restaurants and bars will continue to receive Licensed Hospitality Venue Fund payments of between $5,000 and $20,000 per week.
A major boost to the Small Business COVID Hardship Fund will increase the grant amount to $20,000 for around 35,000 businesses, and the deadline for applications will be extended.
Eligible workers across the state who lose hours of work due to the lockdown will be able to access the Commonwealth’s COVID-19 Disaster Payment, as will individuals who are sole-trader business owners who lose work and that do not qualify for Victorian Government support programs.
For more information about business support programs visit Business Victoria.
COVID-19 restrictions at Council waste and recycling facilities
In line with COVID-19 regional restrictions, changes are in place at Council’s waste and recycling centres.
DrumMuster drop off at Council’s waste facilities has been suspended until further notice.
Council’s waste facilities remain open, and you may use them, but only if you believe your trip is essential.
Under the Victorian Government’s public health directions, access to a waste facility to dispose of household waste from a general tidy up is not considered an essential activity.
Essential activity, however, may include disposal of waste from properties that do not receive any kerbside waste collection services or where stockpiling waste on your property may pose a safety hazard.
Before entering a site, you must check in using the QR code with the Services Victoria app. Please ensure you have your phone with you.
Please also consider if your visit to Council’s waste facility can wait until circumstances change.
Opening times of Council’s landfills and transfer stations is available from Council's website.
Please note: all waste facilities are closed on public holidays.
Nominations open for 2022 Rural Women’s Award
The Victorian Government is calling on female leaders who are passionate about making a difference in rural and regional Victoria to apply for the 2022 AgriFutures Rural Women’s Award.
The AgriFutures Rural Women’s Award acknowledges and celebrates the role women play in rural and regional businesses, industries and communities.
The Victorian winner will receive a $15,000 bursary to bring to life a project that benefits rural industries, businesses or communities, as well as an opportunity to take out the national award and a further $20,000 in project funding.
The bursary can be used for activities such as formal education and training courses, establishing business plans or pilot programs, developing or testing new business concepts and publishing books.
Applications for the 2022 AgriFutures Rural Women’s Award close Friday 8 October.
To find out more, visit the website.