Loddon Shire Mayoral Column 9 November
Published on 09 November 2021
Thank you
As this is my last Mayoral Column for this current term, I would like to take this opportunity to thank my fellow Councillors for their support during my time as Mayor, as well as Council staff.
I’d also like to thank and acknowledge the local community for their support and feedback. It has been an honour to serve as Mayor during the past year.
I’d also like to take this opportunity to congratulate Mayor-elect Cr Dan Straub.
The Special Council Meeting to elect the Loddon Shire Council Mayor will be held this afternoon (9 November) starting at 3pm.
You can tune into the meeting’s livestream via Council’s Facebook page www.facebook.com/LoddonShire
Fire prevention inspections underway
This week, the Loddon Shire Council Municipal Fire Prevention Officer (MFPO) started fire prevention inspections across the Shire.
The MFPO inspects properties to identify whether landowners are maintaining appropriate levels of vegetation and reducing fuel loads, particularly in high-risk areas.
Landowners who have excess vegetation, that is, large amounts of branches piled up or long grass or debris, will be issued with a fire prevention notice.
A fire prevention notice is a reminder for the property owner to reduce the fire risk at their place. Landowners typically have 14 days to comply with the notice or make contact with Council to discuss the issue.
If the hazard is not removed within the required timeframe, Council will organise for a contractor to enter the premises and remove the fire hazard.
If Council has to arrange a contractor to remove fire hazards, it will be completed at the landowner’s cost, plus a $110 administrative cost.
Under Section 41E of the Country Fire Authority Act 1958, a $1,817 infringement notice may also be issued to the landowner for a failure to comply with a fire prevention notice.
MASH Solar and Battery Storage meeting
The MASH (More Australian Solar Homes) will hold an online information meeting this Wednesday 10 November from 6pm to 7.30pm regarding solar and battery storage.
You will learn about how solar and batteries work – and what's on offer through the MASH Community Solar Bulk-Buy.
You can join the online meeting at https://bit.ly/3jWzuY2
New gastronomy video showcases region’s unique offerings
A new video showcasing Bendigo and the region’s status (including Loddon Shire) as Australia’s only UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy has been released to promote its unique food and drinks culture and appeal to new tourism markets.
Funded by the Victorian Government’s Victoria Together program, this is the first engaging tourism video developed under the initiative.
It captures the rich culture and traditions around food and drink, creativity and sustainability across the Bendigo Regional Tourism area – which includes Loddon Shire, City of Greater Bendigo, Central Goldfields Shire and Mount Alexander Shire.
The video has been produced by Castlemaine film maker Storyland and is part of a bigger regional Gastronomy campaign to promote unique visitor experiences and build on a growing tourism market in local, sustainable, delicious and creative produce.
Greater Bendigo, in collaboration with the other shires in the region (including Loddon Shire), also launched the Gastronomy Map and Guide and a Local Producer Directory, which highlights the region’s talented food and beverage makers.
The promotional gastronomy video can be viewed on YouTube at www.youtube.com/watch?v=aNvZwst8NxE
Border re-opening welcomed
In some good news, the Victoria and New South Wales border is now open – allowing free travel between the two states.
The opening comes among high vaccination rates in both states and case numbers coming down.
The ACT and all remaining orange zone areas in New South Wales have become green zones under Victoria’s travel permit system. This now means that for Victoria, all Local Government Areas in all states and territories across Australia are green zones for the purposes of entering Victoria.
Travellers, including workers, who are entering Victoria from a green zone face no testing or quarantine requirements, but are still required to obtain a permit from Service Victoria at www.service.vic.gov.au before they arrive, to verify they aren’t COVID-19 positive or required to isolate as a close contact.
There are no requirements for fully vaccinated Victorians entering New South Wales, unless they have been to a place of high concern in Victoria. A Victorian who is over 16 years and not fully vaccinated is not allowed to enter New South Wales for recreation or a holiday. More information is available at nsw.gov.au
People entering Victoria must still comply with any vaccinated economy requirements in place and can apply for a travel permit at www.service.vic.gov.au
For more information visit www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au/victorian-travel-permit-system