Loddon Shire Mayoral Column 8 June
Published on 08 June 2021
Regional Victoria lockdown ends, restrictions in place
From 11.59pm last Thursday (3 June), the lockdown in regional Victoria came to an end, meaning there are now no restrictions on the reasons to leave home.
Private gatherings in the home are not permitted, however outdoor gatherings are allowed in a group of up to 10 people.
Face masks must be carried at all times and must be worn indoors (except in your own home or if a lawful exception applies). Face masks are required outdoors where physical distancing of 1.5 metres can’t be maintained.
Schools have resumed face-to-face learning, while workplaces such as offices can increase to 50 per cent or 20 people (however, if you can work from home you should continue to do so).
The Loddon Shire Wedderburn office is now open to the public, as is the Loddon Visitor Information Centre. Please note the information centre has temporary new hours – 9am to 5pm Monday through to Saturday and is closed on Sunday and public holidays.
Shops, restaurants and cafes, and beauty and personal care services (where a customer can wear a face mask throughout the service) are all open, with density limits and restrictions on number of people per venue.
Outdoor sport and recreational facilities have reopened with density limits and a maximum of 50 people per venue. Junior community sport has returned, for participants 18 years old or under, and only outdoors. Spectators are only permitted for the purposes of supervising children or dependents.
Outdoor group classes are limited to 10 people.
Full details regarding current restrictions in regional Victoria are available via the COVIDSafe Settings website.
Business Costs Assistance Program and Licensed Hospitality Venue Fund
The Victorian Government has launched the Business Costs Assistance Program Round Two and the Licensed Hospitality Venue Fund 2021.
The Business Costs Assistance Program assists small to medium businesses, including employing and non-employing businesses, most impacted by the recent restrictions in Victoria. The program provides $2500 grants for eligible businesses.
Applications for the Business Costs Assistance Program are open until 11:59pm Thursday 24 June 2021.
For more information and to apply, go to the Business Costs Assistance Program website.
The Licensed Hospitality Venue Fund 2021 is now accepting grant applications from eligible businesses to help with costs incurred under restrictions. Eligible businesses can receive a grant of $3500 for premises in regional Victoria.
Email invitations will be sent to the eLicence email linked to licensees’ Liquor Portal account. To receive an application form link, licensees must have an eLicence email on their Liquor Portal account.
For more information visit the Licensed Hospitality Venue Fund 2021 website.
Council welcomes funding announcements
Council has welcomed recent funding announcements from the Victorian Government for the Pyramid Hill Community Centre Development and the Donaldson Park Community Hub.
The Pyramid Hill Community Centre Development will receive $2,475,000 to deliver Stage 1 of the project, which will include construction of the allied health wing, standalone senior citizens room, new toilet facilities and renovation of the existing hall and kitchen.
The funding will also enable the expansion of storage for kitchen and user groups, development of breakout space and associated landscaping, and installation of car parking, kerb and channel and associated drainage infrastructure.
The funding was through the Victorian Government’s Regional Infrastructure Fund – Stimulus Round.
The Donaldson Park Community Hub will receive an additional $1,381,974 towards the $5.2 million project.
The funding, through the Victorian Government’s Community Sports Infrastructure Stimulus Program, supplements committed funding of $2.5 million from the Federal Government’s Community Development Grants, $350,000 from Wedderburn Clubs and Committees and the community, $100,000 from Inglewood and Districts Community Enterprise funding, with remaining funding from Council.
The Donaldson Park Community Hub project will upgrade facilities at Wedderburn’s Donaldson Park. This includes construction of a new multi-sport and community-focused pavilion with four gender-neutral change rooms, carparking, new multi-faceted playspace for all abilities, landscaping and internal paths, and large solar installation with batteries.
On behalf of Council, I’d like to thank the Victorian Government for the recent funding announcements for these significant projects.
Get Active Kids Voucher Program
The second round of the Get Active Kids Voucher Program is now open.
The Get Active Kids Voucher Program helps eligible families get their kids involved in organised sport and recreation activities by reimbursing the cost of membership, registration fees, uniforms and equipment. Eligible children may be able to receive up to $200 each.
To apply for a voucher, your child must be aged between four and 18 years old, a Victorian resident, and be named on either an Australian Government Healthcare Card or Pensioner Concession Card and Medicare card.
To apply visit the Get Active Kids Voucher Program website.