Notes from Loddon 18 September 2024
Published on 19 September 2024
Election period
Council has entered the Election Period in preparation for the upcoming local Council elections.
During this time, Council must adhere to the requirements of the Local Government Act 2020 and Council’s Election Period Policy, ensuring all communications remain fair and neutral.
While most Council services will continue as usual, the most significant change is that no major decisions will be made that could either unreasonably bind the incoming Council or influence the election outcome.
Throughout the Election Period, Council’s communications, including the distribution of newsletters and Facebook posts, will focus exclusively on regular Council activities.
These will be limited to information about ongoing services and responding to enquiries unrelated to the election or its outcomes. Importantly, there will be no mention of current or prospective Councillor candidates, nor will any Council or Councillor achievements be highlighted during this time.
Additional arrangements during this period include restrictions on community engagement, major planning scheme amendments, community grant allocations, media and communications and policy adoption.
These rules are designed to maintain neutrality and fairness, in alignment with the expectations of the Local Government Act 2020.
Loddon Shire Council’s Election Period Policy is available at https://www.loddon.vic.gov.au/files/assets/public/v/4/our-council/plans-and-strategies/election-period-policy-governance-rules.pdf
For more information, contact Council’s Governance team on 03 5494 1200 or governance@loddon.vic.gov.au
Nominations open for 2025 Australia Day Awards
Loddon Shire residents are encouraged to recognise outstanding individuals and community groups by putting forward a nomination for the 2025 Australia Day awards.
Categories include Ward Citizens of the Year (previously Community Service Awards), Young Citizen of the Year and Community Group/Event of the Year.
The 2025 Loddon Shire Citizen of the Year will be selected from Ward Citizen of the Year nominations, which are open for each of the five Loddon Shire wards (Boort, Inglewood, Tarnagulla, Terrick and Wedderburn).
Nominations close at 4pm on Friday 25 October 2024.
As part of Australia Day 2025 celebrations, Council will again conduct colouring, photographic and literature competitions, based on the theme of Australian Products and Produce.
Competition entries must be received by 4pm on Friday 25 October 2024.
Further information for each award category and nomination forms are available on Council’s website https://www.loddon.vic.gov.au/Our-Council/Ceremonies/Australia-Day#:~:text=Australia%20Day%202025%20is%20a,selfless%20contributions%20of%20our%20volunteers or via email request to australiaday@loddon.vic.gov.au .
Strengthening Rural Communities Grants now open
The Strengthening Rural Communities (SRC) Prepare and Recover program aims to assist communities in remote, rural and regional areas across Australia. This program supports them in implementing initiatives to prevent and prepare for future climate related impacts or recover from existing disasters within one to 10 years after the disaster.
The program recognises that remote, rural and regional communities across Australia are vulnerable to climate change and disasters and often face challenges in responding to and preparing for these events due to existing disadvantages.
Grants of up to $25,000 are available through this program to support a broad range of community-led initiatives. These grants are designed to strengthen local capacity and ensure better preparedness for future disasters.
The SRC program has two funding streams: Small and Vital and Prepare and Recover.
Organisations may submit their applications in one of these streams.
Round 23 applications are open and will close at 5pm on 5 December 2024.
For more information, visit https://frrr.org.au/funding/place/src-prepare-recover/?fbclid=IwY2xjawFXRzVleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHQLzMarkysDvyrg1SuW7eC5tO0Um_6xliLgcHSvi1cwR5bqhC1H7cgKY_Q_aem_x3FT0FeVne19lXqfIjQz3g