Home Blog Page 550

Mitchell Shire outdoor pools set to open

The North Central Review
-
0

Mitchell Shire’s outdoor pools at Broadford, Seymour and Tallarook will open on Saturday, weather permitting.

The outdoor pool season officially opens on Saturday and the pool will open every day when the air temperature forecast by the Bureau of Meteorology reaches 26 degrees or higher until the end of March, 2024.

Wallan’s Community Bank Adventure Playground Splash Park opened on November 10.

Seymour’s outdoor pool was damaged in the October 2022 flood forcing its closure last summer. Extensive repair works were undertaken to prepare for the upcoming pool season.

Stage one of the works consisted of essential restoration works and some temporary solutions for the pool to open for the upcoming season.

Stage one included removal of flood damaged materials, new doors and door frames, a new ceiling in the multipurpose room, new hot water service and electrical and plumbing works.

It also includes plastering, painting, flooring, new barbecue facilities and new picnic tables and benches thanks to a partnership with the Seymour Men’s Shed.

The temporary solutions will be replaced when stage two of the works begin after the pool season in April, 2024.

Stage two includes new doors and partitions in toilets and showers, drainage and flooring works in the changerooms, new fixtures and fittings and a roof over the male, female and accessible toilets.

Stage one and two works were funded through $114,636 from the Local Government Victoria Emergencies Flood Support Fund, $90,000 from insurance and $338,528 from council.

A new slide will feature at Tallarook’s pool after the old slide was decommissioned 2021-22 season due to safety concerns.

The new slide will be ready to go for the start of the pool season thanks to $26,250 from the State Government and $103,676 from council.

Lifeguards will be on hand during the pool season, but council has reminded people that it is the responsibility of parents and guardians to provide direct supervision for children.

All children under the age of 10 must be actively supervised by a responsible adult and children under 5 must be within arm’s reach of a supervising adult at all times.

Mitchell Shire Mayor Louise Bannister said it was disappointing that the Seymour outdoor pool had to close last summer and it had been a massive effort by council staff and contractors to get the pool ready for this pool season.

“Our pools and splash park serve as an ideal gathering spot for people to reconnect and look after their physical well-being,” she said.

“With a bit of luck, we’ll have some pleasant weather, providing an opportunity for many to partake in the free enjoyment as temperatures rise.”

While entry is free for casual use of council’s outdoor pools, user group hire fees, special event entry fees and entry fees to the indoor aquatic facilities will apply.

and for other updates throughout the season visit the Mitchell Shire Leisure Services Facebook page.

Bridge Inn Road upgrade on track

The North Central Review
-
0

Member for Yan Yean Lauren Kathage last week visited the Bridge Inn Road Upgrade site to inspect works and receive a briefing from the Major Road Projects Victoria team on the progress of the Doreen project.

The next major project milestone is expected to be reached in December, with the new bridge over Plenty River open to cars for the first time.

The new bridge will carry one lane of traffic in each direction ahead of a full opening of the bridge in 2024, catering for two lanes of traffic in each direction.

Ms Kathage said opening the new bridge over Plenty Road to traffic showed the project was well on track.

“Being here and seeing the bitumen going down is really satisfying after having seen the bridge being built from scratch into a major piece of local infrastructure,” she said.

The upgrade team will soon start work on turning the existing bluestone bridge over Plenty River into a shared walking and cycling path.

People wanting to get active will be able to walk or pedal from the new path to Bundoora once the upgraded Plenty River Trail is completed.

“I am really proud of this project and what it will mean for our community when completed. Inspecting the site, I can confirm that they are making real progress,” Ms Kathage said.

“I want to thank the community for their patience and understanding as these works are completed.”

.

People can also contact the Major Road Projects Victoria Team by emailing contact@roadsprojects.vic.gov.au or calling 1800 105 105.

Council seeks flood mapping funding

Jordyn Grubisic
-
0
Council seeks flood mapping funding

Mitchell Shire Council will seek financial and resource assistance from the Department of Transport and Planning, DTP, to implement planning scheme changes recommended by recent flood studies.

Currently no flood planning controls exist for Kilmore in the Mitchell Planning Scheme.

Kilmore township’s flood risk had not been previously surveyed and with a lack of flood data and recent flooding events, the flood risk for Kilmore was not well understood.

The study area for the Kilmore Flood Study comprises the Kilmore Creek Catchment in its entirety, covering south of the township.

Also included was part of the Hamilton Creek Catchment to the north of the township and Ryan’s Creek in the west.

Implementing the flood mapping would see the floodway overlay, FO, and land subject to inundation overlay, LSIO, introduced to more than 1700 properties across the Kilmore township.

Council also commissioned the Whiteheads Creek Flood Mapping and Intelligence Study addressing the uncertainty to the extent of flooding for the Whiteheads Creek catchment in Seymour.

The study comprised the Whiteheads Creek Catchment that covers more than 100 square kilometres – not including areas impacted by the Goulburn River aside from that which influences the Whiteheads Creek Catchment.

The flood modelling allowed for scenarios with and without a flood levee along Goulburn River.

There are more than 800 properties currently affected by the FO and LSIO combined across the Whiteheads Creek catchment, with the proposed mapping increasing to more than 850.

Mitchell Shire councillor Fiona Stevens said the studies were ‘extremely important’.

“As we know by recent experiences in the northern part of the shire, we need to know where the water goes,” she said.

“These studies have looked at a couple of waterways – being the Kilmore Creek and Whiteheads Creek – and once we know where the water goes it’s important we embed it into our processes.

“That’ll allow us to build and develop those areas appropriately so we’re not allowing businesses or residences to go on areas we know are problematic.”

Cr Bill Chisholm said his experience with the October 2022 floods showed how important the data was.

“It’s really important that we have this sort of data. Working off the feedback I got after the most recent floods, in Shepparton, their data was spot on and they predicted exactly where the water would go and knew how to plan ahead of time,” he said.

The State Government announced funding in May to help local governments complete up-to-date flood data and mapping and incorporate completed studies into planning schemes.

Council will seek financial and resources assistance from the DTP but if funding is not available, a further report will be required to undertake the planning scheme amendment.

“Unless [the reports] are embedded into our planning documents we can’t enact them or enforce them,” Cr Stevens said.

“Unfortunately this process is very timely and it’s very costly so we’re hoping if we go down the path of seeking assistance from DTP they may be able to offset some of the costs for us.

“If we are unfortunately unsuccessful then we will bring it back to us to revisit and see how we move forward because it’s very important that we get this into our planning environment sooner rather than later.”

Kilmore golf day a success

Max Davies
-
0
Kilmore golf day a success

Kilmore Golf Club, KGC, hosted its Try Golf Day on November 19 and welcomed people interested in learning to play golf.

Supported by ideal weather, the Try Golf Day attracted several families and individual players, while many members also volunteered their time to help.

Sponsored by Future Farms and run by member volunteers, the Try Golf Day required the preparation of the course, par three tees and grounds, while members organised player registration for the competition, a barbecue and drinks at the bar after the day’s play.

Members also guided player groups around the golf course, helping as needed with details of play, golf etiquette and scoring.

Organiser Helen Dennett said the event was aimed at getting people interested in golf in the community.

“The aim of the event was to increase community awareness of playing golf at Kilmore Golf Club,” she said.

“I think we did that and hopefully we will run another one before the summer is over.”

While waiting to tee off, players were invited by members Greg Campbell and Tracy Hedditch to join in a creative putting competition on the practice green.

The main event was a nine-hole, par three competition with four categories for male and female adults and juniors, with the adults playing the front nine holes while the juniors played the back nine.

The winners of each category received a four-month membership to KGC as well as a substantial reduction in fees for the following year.

Adult winners were Jason Maggs and Kellie Freeman, alongside junior winners Jake Laws and Madeleine Ryan.

Runner-up prizes were awarded in each category, with Tony Salomone and Angelina Cirelli-Salomone, adults, and Kash Laws and Aubree Maggs, juniors.

There were also nearest the pin prizes on each of the 18 holes, but only two were awarded – both to Jake Laws.

“One learning is for nearest the pin on Try Golf Days is that we should abolish the need to land on the green and make it nearest to the hole but not necessarily on the green,” Ms Dennett said.

The event was open to all who did not possess a Golf Australia handicap.

Players interested in the next event, other events or membership at KGC can register their name, email address and phone number by email to info@kilmoregolfclub.com.au or call 5782 1123 and leave a message.

Sod turned at Aboriginal Gathering Place

The North Central Review
-
0

The City of Whittlesea’s journey towards reconciliation reached a milestone on Tuesday when the first sod was turned on the Aboriginal Gathering Place at Quarry Hills Parkland.

The Aboriginal Gathering Place is a key part of council’s commitment to reconciliation and self-determination for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

Establishing a place to promote cultural practices and knowledge-sharing has been a policy priority for council, Whittlesea Reconciliation Group, WRG, and the Whittlesea Aboriginal Gathering Place Advisory Group for many years.

City of Whittlesea administrator Peita Duncan, also a member of WRG, said council was committed to reconciliation and creating opportunities for improved cultural, health, social and economic outcomes for Aboriginal residents.

“The Aboriginal Gathering Place will have enormous benefits for the local Aboriginal community,” she said.

“It will be a culturally safe space where Elders can connect not only with each other, but with younger generations and the community at large.”

The Aboriginal Gathering Place will be built on land at Quarry Hills Parkland in South Morang, a location of great significance for the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung people.

It will feature indoor and outdoor multi-purpose spaces including consulting suites, a meeting room, quiet room and a large community events space for up to 100 people.

Construction is anticipated to begin in early-to-mid 2024, with the centre expected to open in 2025.

“By celebrating Aboriginal culture, we can increase awareness and understanding in the wider community,” Ms Duncan said.

“This is a wonderful opportunity for us to make a real difference in the lives of so many people in our community.”

For more information about the Aboriginal Gathering Place, people can visit www.whittlesea.vic.gov.au/aboriginalgatheringplace.

Funding contributions celebrated in Romsey and Lancefield

The North Central Review
-
0

The Romsey and Lancefield communities gathered earlier this month to celebrate recipients of the 2023 Community Bank Lancefield and Romsey Community Investment Program.

An investment of $483,070 for 2023-24 was unveiled, marking a significant commitment to the growth and development of Romsey, Lancefield, and surrounding areas.

The investment comprises $362,870 in grants to 27 community groups and not-for-profit organisations; $18,000 in donations directed to support nine emergency services groups; $42,000 in sponsorships fostering community sport, initiatives and events; $52,200 in scholarships for 2024 comprising both tertiary scholarships and leadership programs; and $8000 through Small Change Grants, accessible via the two branches at $500 each.

With this year’s announcements and over the past 22 years of operations, Community Bank Lancefield and Romsey has contributed more than $3 million to various community projects, events, and activities.

Chair of the company operating the bank branches of Lancefield and Romsey, Suzie Ewart, said the local community was the heartbeat of the investment.

“Their commitment to better banking has made stories like these a reality in our community,” she said.

“It’s their trust and engagement with our unique community bank model that empowers us to channel our profits back into our community in such transformative ways.

“Our pledge to share profits with the community, unique to our community bank model, reflects the spirit of giving back to Lancefield, Romsey, and our surrounding communities.”

The contributions of the Romsey and Lancefield community-owned branches of Bendigo Bank have been put to use at locations including the Romsey Ecotherapy Park water play space, the area’s L2P learner driver car, the electronic scoreboards at Romsey and Lancefield parks and the Foodshare and ShareRide initiatives driven by the towns’ neighbourhood houses.

“The funds generated by local residents and companies directly fund projects and groups, championing local growth,” Ms Ewart said.

“Our commitment goes beyond banking. It’s about enriching lives in Romsey and Lancefield, ensuring our bank remains a cornerstone of prosperity.”

The next grants program will open in March, 2024. People can email cip@lrcfsl.com.au if they would like to be on the list to be notified when future grant programs open.

Faster internet speeds now available

The North Central Review
-
0

Eligible residential homes and businesses in Wallan, Wandong and Heathcote Junction can now connect to faster internet speeds as the rollout of full fibre continues across the country.

Full fibre is the National Broadband Network’s, NBN, fastest and most reliable residential connection on the network, with wholesale download speeds of close to one gigabit per second.

When customers order an eligible plan through their preferred phone and internet provider, they can receive NBN fibre to their doorstep.

NBN consumer experience expert Jane McNamara said with more connected devices than ever before, there was increasing demand for faster and reliable internet from homes and businesses.

“The demand for faster and more reliable internet is the highest we’ve ever seen as the way Australians use technology continues to evolve,” she said.

“This is being driven by trends such as hybrid work and study arrangements and an increase in online entertainment, such as streaming services and gaming, across multiple devices.”

The delivery of full fibre is part of a commitment to invest in Australia’s digital backbone, and enables up to 10 million premises across Australia to access NBN’s highest residential wholesale speed tiers by the end of 2025.

“The last couple of years have shown us just how critical the NBN network is. We want more people to reap the benefits of fast and reliable internet, now and into the future,” Ms McNamara said.

“Almost one-in-five premises on NBN’s fixed line network are connected to plans based on NBN wholesale speed tiers with peak wholesale download speeds of 100 megabits per second and above. We expect this demand to keep growing.”

People can see if they are eligible by:

    to see if they are in an eligible area.
  • Contacting a participating phone and internet provider and ask if they can order an eligible plan.
  • Booking an installation with their preferred phone and internet provider.

Seymour outdoor pool budget increased

Jordyn Grubisic
-
0

A new roof for the Seymour War Memorial Outdoor Pool flood recovery works will increase the project’s budget by $123,917.83.

Mitchell Shire Council approved the additional expenditure at its November 20 meeting, with a new roof over the changerooms to increase the original project expenditure from $419,246.79 to $543,164.62.

The pool was damaged by the October 2022 floods with flood waters rising to about 0.75 metres within the building affecting the male, female and the accessible changeroom and toilet facilities, kiosk, first aid room, storerooms and the multipurpose room.

It has been closed since the floods while damage is being repaired and additional betterment works are being completed.

Flood recovery works include rectification of showers, toilets and partitions, basins, all doors and door jams, timber seating and benches throughout, hot water service and painting.

Betterment works include new shower petitions, epoxy flooring in the changerooms, upgrade to fixture and fittings.

A new roof over the male and female changerooms was included in the original betterment works however due to a budget shortfall when receiving the sole tender submission from Whitehorse Construction and Plumbing for the project contract, the roof was removed and there was a slight reduction in some betterment components.

Council agreed to include the new roof in the current contracted works to maximise project and budget efficiencies with the cost for a new roof component $109,661.

Mitchell Shire councillor Fiona Stevens said Seymour residents would be looking forward to the completion of the project.

“They had a bit of a rough trot up there with the floods and the effect it had on their valued and precious outdoor swimming pool,” she said.

“This is about trying to get it back on track.

“Unfortunately as we know the cost of everything is going up so we are being asked to contribute some more money towards getting it back on track but the report is clear as to what we want to achieve.”

Works will be completed in two stages.

“We’re not in a position to provide all of [the project] at once but to reassure the community the pool will be opening in December this year and it will be safe and it will be functional,” Cr Stevens said.

“Please just hang in there a little bit longer so we can finish off a couple of extra works that still need to be completed.”

Santa to visit Broadford pop-up park opening

Jordyn Grubisic
-
0

Santa is setting up his sleigh to make the trip to Broadford on Friday for the official opening of the Broadford pop-up park.

The opening of the pop-up park, located at the corner of Powlett and High Street, Broadford, will be from 6pm to 7.30pm on Friday, with carols, a concert band, face painting and lighting of the Christmas tree occurring alongside a visit from Santa.

Mitchell Shire Council has partnered with community groups in Broadford to revitalise the area into a lively pop-up park with the Broadford Men’s Shed enlisted to design and construct a wooden 2.4 metre Christmas tree out of reusable pallets.

Broadford Men’s Shed secretary John Brisset said the partnership between council and the men’s shed came following repairs the shed made on council’s Christmas tree in Memorial Park in Broadford last year after it was vandalised.

“This year council are doing something different. They’re creating a sort of mini-square in the centre of town,” he said.

“Council wanted us to make the Christmas tree out of second-hand, unpainted pallets, which we did and then they also wanted a little enclosure made out of pallets to be covered with artificial grass so there will be places for people to sit.

“Another part of it was making shapes out of plywood with stencils given to us by council. The idea is that a picture – 10 centimetres square – will be placed in the middle of each shape and the shapes have been decorated by kinder kids, primary school kids and community groups around the town. We made 250 shapes.

“The shapes were supposed to be hung on the tree but they’re a bit big so certainly some will go on the tree but the others will be strung around in the pergola above the seated area.”

Broadford Men’s Shed was also able to contact Santa himself who was able to take some time out of his busy Christmas preparation schedule to make a trip to the opening, with the shed restoring Santa’s chair as a thank you.

Entry to the opening is free and everyone is encouraged to attend.

Celebrating generosity at Edgar’s Mission

The North Central Review
-
0
Celebrating generosity at Edgar’s Mission

Edgar’s Mission lamb Kansas is calling on kind humans to join her today, November 28, for Giving Tuesday, a global movement of generosity.

Not-for-profit Lancefield sanctuary Edgar’s Mission rescued the lamb after she was found covered in mud, with her tail partially chewed off and unable to move.

Sanctuary founder Pam Ahern said although Kansas was critically ill, volunteers never gave up hope that one day she would walk again.

“Although there were many signs that Kansas may not make it, she refused to give in and so did we,” she said.

“With the aid of a little wheelchair, Kansas grew stronger each day, and eventually her first wobbly steps turned into a joyous run.”

In the past year, Edgar’s Mission has reached 455 million people on social media by sharing the stories of every animal it saved.

“It is through this that we echo the plea of mercy for millions upon millions of farmed animals who will never know kindness,” Ms Ahern said.

“With every story told, like that of Kansas, our work is amplified as hearts and minds across the globe are being transformed while we inch ever closer towards a kinder world for everyone.”

On Giving Tuesday, Edgar’s Mission is calling on kind hearts to help more animals like Kansas have a life worth living.

“We have set an ambitious target to raise $221,000 to cover our annual food and bedding costs for our 400 rescued residents, plus the hundreds more who will pass through our sanctuary gates and find forever homes,” Ms Ahern said.

Giving Tuesday was launched in 2012 as a simple idea – to create a day that encourages people to do good.

Over the past 11 years, this idea has grown into a global movement inspiring hundreds of millions of people to give, collaborate, and celebrate generosity.

“With the generous assistance of our wonderful community, we believe this miracle can happen,” Ms Ahern said.

.

1...549550551...1,192Page 550 of 1,192