Council’s quantum leap

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October 1, 2017

Twelve months ago nobody would believe it could happen but the 2017 Community Satisfaction Survey results for Mitchel Shire tell otherwise.

In an amazing turnaround council’s overall direction measure leapt from an all-time low of 37 in 2016 to 53 points this year with the dramatic 16 point improvement placing Mitchell one point above its Large Rural category average and equal with the state-wide score.

It was the South Ward in 2016 that performed the worst with an embarrassing 34 point result for overall direction – will below the shire and state averages. A 19 point turnaround this year sees the ward result on parity with the state-wide score.

The 2017 Community Satisfaction Survey is a state-wide telephone survey of residents from 68 council conducted by the State Government.

Residents provide their opinion on topics including council’s overall performance, community consultation and engagements, advocacy and customer service.

The report provided to council stated that Mitchell Shire’s results were a ‘statistically significant improvement on the 2016 result.

Macedon Ranges budget deferred

Council

The North Central Review

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October 1, 2017

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Discussion on the adoption of the Macedon Ranges Shire budget has been deferred to the June ordinary meeting of council to be held tomorrow evening (Wednesday June 28).

The matter was to be discussed at last week’s special meeting of council but the outcomes of that meeting were limited to the adoption of the Council Plan 2017-2027 (Year 1) with some minor changes and the setting of the mayoral and councillor allowances.

The adoption of Budget 2017/18 and the Strategic Resource Plan 2017/18 were deferred and will be considered at an Ordinary Council Meeting on Wednesday 28 June 2017.

Earthcore’s End?

The North Central Review

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October 1, 2017

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Organisers of the Earthcore dance festival have slammed Mitchell Shire Council’s actions in refusing to grant consent for the 2017 festival to go ahead.

Earthcore chief, Spiro Boursine, has vowed to take the decision to VCAT with the intention of ‘exposing flaws in the due process’.

“We want a fair and we also have a backup venue in place in another shire like we do every year so the show will go on regardless,” Mr Boursine told the North Central Review.

The matter was discussed at the June council meeting with not one councillor speaking in favour of the festival going ahead.

Following the meeting a Mitchell Shire Council spokesperson said that council issued a permit for Earthcore 2016 with an option, subject to further written consent from Council, for an event from November 30 to December 4, 2017.

“Council is mindful of the impact on local community groups and businesses who rely on the funds from the event, but the concerns are too serious to be ignored. The 2017 event would be subject to satisfactory compliance with the 2016 permit conditions, a post event review, updated plans and a written request being made by March 30, 2017” the spokesperson said.

The spokesperson added that the applicant did not meet critical permit conditions last year and that updated plans did not adequately identify concerns raised and Victoria Police did not support the event. Read more in this week’s North Central Review.

Back to basics budget

The North Central Review

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October 1, 2017

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MITCHELL Shire Council has released its draft budget that shows a return to the ‘three Rs’ – roads, rates and rubbish.

The draft budget provides for a much waited improvement in road and footpath maintenance and upgrades while keeping the rate rise within the mandatory State Government rate cap of two per cent.

The draft budget also reveals that council has achieved its goal set in 2016 to reduce net operating costs by $4 million over two years. $2 million in 2016/17 has been saved in the current year with a further $2 million budgeted in 2017/18.

The savings have been transferred to council’s capital works program.

Award for swim teacher

The North Central Review

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October 1, 2017

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Mitchell Shire Leisure swim teacher Jennifer Fuhrmeister has received the Victorian Teacher of Adults Award.
The award, one of eight categories presented each year, identifies and honours a swim teacher for their contributions to aquatic education and water safety for adults.

Ms Fuhrmeister, who has been with Council for almost 10 years, said it was very humbling to win the award.

“I’ve never won an award before so it was really special
It’s very nice to have won the award, but it really is a reflection on the entire place (Mitchell Shire Leisure Services), not just me.” Ms Fuhrmeister said

Boomer drops in

The North Central Review

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October 1, 2017

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FORMER AFL premiership player and North Melbourne legend, Brent “Boomer” Harvey was a well-received guest at Kilmore Toyota last week as part of the Toyota Good for Footy program.

The Toyota Good for Footy program is travelling across Victoria each week throughout the 2017 AFL Toyota Season to promote and support community football and the Good for Footy Raffle.

Since its establishment in 2005, the Good for Footy Raffle has raised over $2.9 million for grass roots football.

“It’s great to get out to these kind of events and see the kids. I can remember when I was young and how great it was to see and meet an AFL footballer,” Harvey said.

Junior stars shine

The North Central Review

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October 1, 2017

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KILMORE Junior Football Club celebrated season 2017 with two sides in Grand Final matches on Sunday, August 20.

Under 17’s Red Division Grand Final
Kilmore 8.16 (64) def
West Preston-Lakeside 8.4 (52)
Best (Kilmore): Treanor, Mc Queen, Topham, Rigoni, Fairweather, Parkinson, Taylor-Egan
Goals (Kilmore): Fairweather 3, Rigoni 2, Briffa, Kemp, Tudor.

Grand Finals are hard to win and as anticipated, today proved no exception against a classy West Preston outfit. Inaccurate kicking in the first half kept our opponents in the game and at half time the game was well and truly any ones to win. In the second half, every one our boys lifted and dug deep to find the necessary will to kick the vital goals that gave us the edge to run out worthy victors. Congratulations boys, your club, families, and community are extremely proud of your achievement. Well done to Bailey Taylor-Egan for being awarded man of the match. Thank you to all coaches, parents and supporters from all our junior teams in what has been a very successful first year in the NFL.

Under 14 Girls Red Division Grand Final
Kilmore 2.6 (20) def by
Diamond Creek 4.4 (28)
Goalkickers (Kilmore): B. Kinnear, H. Woodley
Best: H. Woodley , C. Watters, H. Vilinskis, G. Turner, E. Stewart, M.Tolson

Fantastic effort to come so far, keep your heads held high. We are all so proud of you, just wasn’t our day today.