City of Whittlesea passes council, financial plans

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November 9, 2021

City of Whittlesea passes council, financial plans

THE City of Whittlesea has adopted its two strategic plans – the council plan 2021-25 and the long-term financial plan 2021-2031 – following community consultation.

The plans, which build on and re-endorse the long-term community vision – Whittlesea 2040: A place for all – were adopted at a special October council meeting.

The community plan incorporates various other council plans including the municipal public health and wellbeing plan, disability action plan and pandemic recovery plan into the one overarching document.

Council also adopted its community plan’s action plan for 2021-2022.

Chair administrator Lydia Wilson said the plans would help guide council’s efforts over the coming years.

“The council plan and long-term financial plan set the strategic direction for how council will invest its time, efforts and spending and the action plan provides the detail for the first year,” she said.

“We’ve set an ambitious program of work to deliver on our Whittlesea 2040 goals.”

Highlights of the plan include a focus on public safety, festivals, events, social connection and sports facilities as well as new and upgraded parks and playgrounds, transport improvements, clean streets and road safety.

Council will work on making the City of Whittlesea a smart choice for business growth, innovation and investment, enabling opportunities for local work and education.

There will also be an emphasis on waste management, biodiversity and increasing the number of trees.

Council continue to improve customer service and how it engages with the community and delivers efficient and effective services.

The financial plan 2021-2031 shows how council will fund projects and others over the next 10 years.

“Our overarching approach is to strike the right balance between spending on projects and services for the community and managing our financial reserves long-term to achieve our Whittlesea 2040 vision,” Ms Wilson said.

Council will continue to advocate to both the state and federal governments on behalf of the community for funding that will support key projects integral to the ongoing development of the municipality over the next decade.

Ms Wilson said it was important to ensure strategic documents were reflective of community’s priorities.

“We embarked on a large community consultation program over the course of this year to make we were in alignment with our community,” she said.

More than 1300 people joined the conversation online and at face-to-face events during February and March to give council a clear understanding of the community’s priorities, and more than 5000 pieces of feedback were considered in the development of the plan

As a result of the feedback, council made some changes to the original draft community plan.

Changes included strengthening the arts and cultural initiatives and adding carers and gender diverse communities as key target populations.

“We also had 26 people join our participatory budgeting workshops to develop recommendations for the $2m community recovery fund,” Ms Wilson said.

Key initiatives of the community plan 2021-2025 include:

Coordinate recovery efforts across the municipality including COVID-19 safe messaging and mass vaccinations, and a grants program to support community service organisations as well as emergency relief;

Establish a gathering place to increase connections to culture, heritage, land and healing for Aboriginal people;

Increase the quality, access, safety and amount of public open space in the municipality, including additional dog parks and a local park improvement program;

Design and upgrade streetscapes and shopping precincts to make it easier to move about, celebrate local culture, heritage and character, and connect people to the natural environment;

As part of COVID recovery, deliver a ‘support local’ campaign and incentive program to support the community and local businesses

Work with the State Government and key stakeholders to progress planning for key employment precincts such as Epping central, the Beveridge Intermodal Freight Terminal, Melbourne Food Innovation and Export Hub and the Vearings Road employment precinct;

Deliver key actions from the Rethinking Waste Plan, including introducing residential glass recycling, extending food and garden waste services, protecting the environment from litter and increasing sustainable procurement;

Deliver on our Greening Whittlesea Strategy including increasing tree canopy along main road residential streets and in conservation reserves, park and major facilities;

Improve customer service through investing in technology, systems and council staff and make it easier for the community to interact with council;

Maintain strong communications with the community to promote access to services including multilingual, accessible for all and mobile friendly communication and website.

People can view the final community plan 2021-25 and 2021-22 action plan and long-term financial plan 2021-2031 on council’s website.

Yan Yean Reservoir fishing plans endorsed by Rob Mitchell

The North Central Review

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November 9, 2021

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Yan Yean Reservoir fishing plans endorsed by Rob Mitchell

FEDERAL Member for McEwen Rob Mitchell is calling on State Government departments to work together to deliver recreational fishing opportunities at Yan Yean Reservoir.

Mr Mitchell, pictured below, said opening the reservoir to recreational fishers had the capacity to boost the region’s economy.

“Yan Yean Reservoir is ideally suited for recreational fishers and families to come and enjoy some quality time at this magnificent local asset,” he said.

“The Andrews Government has an exceptional record of supporting recreational anglers and creating more local fisheries through their highly successful $35 million Go Fishing Victoria plan to get more people fishing, more often, in more places.

“I have seen first-hand how Sugarloaf Reservoir and Yarrambat Lake are great examples of where this could be done properly and be of great benefit to our local families and communities.”

Mr Mitchell said opening up Yan Yean Reservoir to recreational fishing would be as successful as it had been for other water-storage sites across the state.

“This has been spoken about in the past and I think what the COVID-19 pandemic has shown us is that there is a need for more local recreational activities across our communities,” he said.

“I strongly believe that this is a fantastic opportunity to finally get this done.

“With understanding there are some sensitive areas in the reservoir precinct, we could come together and start with a proposal for land-based fishing opportunities from dedicated platforms and then possibly progress to environmentally friendly watercraft, with strict conditions designed to ensure activities have no impact on water quality or plant and equipment.

“With discussions I have had with stakeholders, there is broad support for the concept, so the next steps are coming together to see how we can do this to deliver the best benefit for our communities.”

Doreen man among South Morang speedsters nabbed by police

The North Central Review

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November 9, 2021

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Doreen man among South Morang speedsters nabbed by police

A DOREEN man was among several speeding drivers detected by Greensborough Highway Patrol officers last week as part of Operation Compass.

The 19-year-old was detected driving at an alleged speed of 122km/h in a 60km/h zone on Plenty Road in South Morang on Monday last week.

The man’s VW Golf was impounded with a towing cost of nearly $900 and police expect to charge the probationary driver on summons for numerous traffic offences.

Police intercepted the man just minutes after detecting an 18-year-old woman from Mickleham, who was detected driving a Mazda CX9 at 95km/h in the same section of Plenty Road.

The woman was issued a $591 fine and will lose her licence for three months.

Also fined on Monday was a 42-year-old woman from Glenroy, who was detected driving a Holden Commodore at 83km/h in a 40km/h roadworks zone on Plenty Road.

The woman received a $772 fine and had her licence suspended for six months.

Operation Compass, which concluded at midnight on Sunday, was a state-wide road policing operation coinciding with Melbourne Cup weekend and the easing of travel restrictions. Police targeted speed, distraction, fatigue and impaired driving in high-risk areas throughout metropolitan Melbourne and regional Victoria.

Earlier detections

Greensborough Highway Patrol members were kept busy over the Melbourne Cup weekend, impounding three vehicles and nabbing four speeding motorists.

Officers were patrolling as part of Operation Compass when they intercepted a Hyundai Kona type allegedly travelling at 114km/h in a 70km/h zone on Yan Yean Road in Plenty about 6.30pm on October 31.

The driver, an 18-year-old South Morang man, who had only had his provisional licence for one month, was issued an infringement notice for speeding and had his licence immediately suspended for six months.

Just 15 minutes later on the same stretch of road, a Chrysler 300 was allegedly clocked at 119km/h.

A Mernda man, 28, had his vehicle impounded for 30 days and will be charged on summons for speeding.

Earlier in the evening a Kawasaki motorbike was allegedly travelling 114km/h in a 60km/h zone on O’Herns Road in Epping before it was stopped by police about 4.30pm. The rider, a 20-year-old Wollert man, had his motorcycle impounded for 30 days and will be charged on summons for speeding.

A Subaru WRX was also caught allegedly travelling at 99km/h in a 50km/h zone on Taryn Drive, Epping, while a Moonee Ponds man, 22, had his vehicle impounded for 30 days and will be charged on summons for speeding.

Caption: A Doreen man, 19, was among several speeding drivers detected by Greensborough Highway Patrol officers on Plenty Road last week. The man had his car impounded and is expected to face court on several driving charges.

Kilmore racing identity Eric Buttler dies age 81

The North Central Review

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November 9, 2021

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Kilmore racing identity Eric Buttler dies age 81

By ‘Pegs’

LONGTIME Kilmore resident and racing identity Eric Buttler died on Tuesday, Melbourne Cup Day, after battling cancer for nearly four years. He was aged 81.

Mr Buttler had a busy life, starting up Buttlers Engineering, an engineering business based in Campbellfield in the early 1980’s ably assisted by his sons, Charlie and Brett.

Thirty years ago, he purchased a property in Euroa and called it Rangal Park Stud.

The Australian-wide known stud stood many stallions over that time including the group one-winning sprinter, Keltrice, which he raced.

Other stallions from Rangal Park included Palace Music, Ne Coupez Pas, Danerich and in later years Boom Time, Soul Patch and Cliff’s Edge.

Mr Buttler would enter yearlings at sales throughout the country and kept some for racing and leasing.

He had several trainers across Victoria and interstate handling his horses.

It was a sad time for Mr Buttler when failing health forced him to sell Rangal Park mid last year and his stock early this year.

Through that racing interest, he joined Kilmore Racing Club and eventually was elected to the club’s board.

Mr Buttler was later elected chairman and during that time was given the honour of life membership as a reward for his input to the club.

He was proud of his offspring’s involvement in sport in the district.

Mr Buttler leaves behind a loving wife of 57 years, Marlene, and children Charlie-Albert, Kellianne, Brett and Michelle and their extended family. He will be farewelled by his family privately at Kilmore Trackside on Monday, November 15. People can watch the funeral online by visiting Mr Buttler’s e-tribute at www.tjscottandson.com.au.

Whittlesea basketballers picked for Gold Nugget Camp

The North Central Review

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November 9, 2021

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Whittlesea basketballers picked for Gold Nugget Camp

THREE young athletes from the Whittlesea Junior Basketball Association have been selected to attend the upcoming 2021 Gold Nugget Camp, aimed at helping young basketballers achieve their biggest aspirations in the sport.

Held at Bendigo Stadium on November Saturday and Sunday, the camp will host 252 basketball players under the age of 14 as they try to impress coaches and secure positions higher up in the Australian basketball ladder.

Selected from Whittlesea are Jaxson Meyer, Logan Oldmeadow and Rhylee Leighton – all hoping to be among the best at the camp to be selected in the 2022 Country Metro Challenge.

The challenge will replace the teams usually selected for other major junior tournaments due to their cancellation.

Basketball Victoria general manager Grant Wallace said the camp would be a great opportunity for the young players.

“We’re excited to see athletes return to the court and be part of the 2021 Gold Nugget Camp,” he said.

“These camps form the foundation of future success at the Victorian and Australian level, with plenty of Australian representatives … attending the camp to start their elite basketball careers.

“We’re excited to get our country stars back on court with the Gold Nugget Camp and help them reach for their biggest basketball ambitions.”

GOTAFE introduces mobile campus for jobseekers

The North Central Review

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November 9, 2021

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GOTAFE introduces mobile campus for jobseekers

EDUCATION provider GOTAFE will take a repurposed semi-trailer on the road in an effort to provide better access to training and career counselling for jobseekers in regional Victoria.

The GOTAFE mobile campus features a client reception area, private career counselling space, workshop and seminar space, and a computer lab.

GOTAFE, which has campuses in Seymour and Wallan as well as other parts of northern Victoria, plans to take the mobile campus across the state during the next three years, with visits to Mitchell and Macedon Ranges shires as well as local government areas in Alpine, Benalla, Campaspe, Gannawarra, Hume, Indigo, Mansfield, Moira, Murrindindi, Shepparton, Strathbogie and Towong.

There are plans for the campus to cater to an additional 200,000 northern Victorians including prospective students, jobseekers, industry and community groups, by reducing the need for them to travel long distances or relocate for the services they need.

GOTAFE chief executive Travis Heeney said the mobile campus would also assist regional communities and industry, which he said were facing unprecedented social and economic challenges heightened by the COVID-19 pandemic.

“GOTAFE is committed to playing a lead role in supporting these communities to respond to these challenges,” he said.

“At the heart of the mobile campus is hope to bridge the gap between our communities and deliver critical employment and education services, regardless of location, access and financial barriers.”

GOTAFE will work in partnership with local and state governments to link with job active networks and financial support services, aiming to centre the community in its service delivery.

The State Government invested $667,000 into the mobile campus project in partnership with GOTAFE and La Trobe University.

Member for Northern Victoria Jaclyn Symes said it was a great result for people living in the region.

“This mobile campus will be a one-stop-shop for skills, training and career advice – reaching every corner of the north east and giving locals better access to our world-class training system,” she said.

Minister for Training and Skills Gayle Tierney said the mobile campus would provide more options for jobseekers and prospective students.

“Every Victorian deserves equal access to high-quality training and a pathway to the job they want, no matter where they live – and that’s what GOTAFE’s new Mobile Campus and Skills and Jobs Centre will deliver,” she said.

Mr Heeney said the project recognised that some students were disadvantaged by a lack of transport options, which affected their access to education and other GOTAFE services.

People can find more information about GOTAFE’s mobile campus, including future destinations, by visiting www.gotafe.vic.edu.au.

Kilmore District Health aged care visitors welcomed for first time in 19 months

The North Central Review

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November 9, 2021

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Kilmore District Health aged care visitors welcomed for first time in 19 months

AFTER more than 260 days of lockdown at varying times since March 2020, aged care facilities welcomed back visitors on Friday, October 29.

With the most recent lockdown beginning in August, residents at Kilmore District Health’s Caladenia and Dianella aged care facilities were delighted to see loved ones.

Dianella resident Elizabeth, Betty, Bowdern said it was so nice to see her family.

“It had been a long time, I missed them dearly,” she said.

Dianella manager Bernie Lavars and Caladenia acting nurse unit manager Jamie Duffy acknowledged the dedicated work of staff to ensure residents were kept busy and in touch with family and friends.

“Our staff continually looked ‘outside the box’ to keep our residents in contact with those that couldn’t visit, through phone calls, video chats and window visits,” Ms Lavars said.

“Daily activities increased to ensure residents stayed engaged and active and milestones and events were celebrated, on top of the health care the staff provide day in and day out,” Mr Duffy said.

20211030 111446 resized — Elizabeth Bowdern and her daughter Ellen were one of many families reunited at Kilmore District Health’s aged care facilities earlier this month.

To ensure resident’s and staff are kept as safe as possible, Kilmore District Health is asking all visitors to undergo a rapid antigen test before they enter the building, as well as wearing a surgical mask when in common areas.

“We encourage small numbers of visitors at a time and where possible, time is spent with residents in their room or in the beautiful outdoor courtyard areas,” Ms Lavars said.

Caladenia and Dianella are now able to again offer inspections for potential residents and a support person.

Mr Duffy said taking a guided tour was the perfect way to commence the transition into aged care or a short-term respite stay.

“It is a chance to view the facilities, meet the team and ask any questions you may have,” he said.

For more information on Kilmore District Health’s aged care facilities, visit www.kilmoredistricthealth.org.au/aged-care.

Mitchell Shire Council to build off-leash parks, launch cat curfew campaign

The North Central Review

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November 9, 2021

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Mitchell Shire Council to build off-leash parks, launch cat curfew campaign

MITCHELL Shire Council will construct new fenced off-leash dog parks, launch a cat curfew education campaign, and develop an order that would see dogs required to be on a leash in almost all circumstances as part of its new Domestic Animal Management Plan 2021-25.

At the most recent council meeting, councillors voted unanimously to endorse the new plan after receiving more than 800 pieces of feedback from community consultation on pet management in the shire.

The plan will see fenced off-leash parks in Seymour and Beveridge, costing council $40,000 and $15,000 respectively, delivered in the first year of the plan, with two more in Broadford and Wallan to be delivered in 2023.

A further one to two fenced off-leash parks will be delivered each subsequent year until 2025.

Council will make fenced off-leash parks a required inclusion for all large-scale developments as part of the planning permit approval process.

Council will also launch an education campaign about its cat curfew, which it introduced in 2019 to reduce the number of feral cats due to breeding and the toll on native wildlife.

The campaign will aim to increase cat owner awareness of the requirements and enforcement of the curfew, including promoting information about how they can safely contain their cat and help their cat to adjust to periods of confinement.

It will also conduct several cat trapping events across the lifespan of the plan.

Council will aim to increase its rehoming rate of cats and registration rate of cats and dogs, working with animal welfare organisations and launch education campaigns.

At the meeting Cr Rob Eldridge said clear themes came out of the community consultation, including concern for dogs wandering at large off-leash following a dog attack in Seymour earlier this year, where the victim was airlifted to hospital and the dog put down.

In response, council will launch a ‘dogs in public places’ campaign, promoting awareness of dog behaviour, reading a dog’s body language, owner responsibilities, and what to do to report a dog attack or dog at large.

An on-leash order will also be developed by 2025 that would require dogs to be kept on a leash at all times unless within a fenced or designated off-leash dog park.

There are currently about 8500 registered dogs in the shire, and 2200 registered cats, but only 40 per cent of impounded dogs and 10 per cent of impounded cats are registered.

Council will make it easier for new residents in the shire to swap over their registration between councils, and will run registration door knocks across the municipality, costing about $25,000 over four years.

Cr Nathan Clark thanked the community for its ‘vigorous’ participation in the consultation.

“The thing that I’m really looking forward to is the dog parks and how we’re going to roll those out through our new developments, and how we really start to look at how people live with their animals,” he said.

Goulburn Valley Water vows net zero emissions by 2050

The North Central Review

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November 9, 2021

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Goulburn Valley Water vows net zero emissions by 2050

GOULBURN Valley Water has joined governments and businesses around the world working to mitigate climate change by committing to achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2050.

The utility corporation has joined Race to Zero, a United Nations-backed global campaign that brings together companies, cities, regions, financial and education institutions to take decisive and immediate action to tackle climate change and work towards a zero-carbon world.

Several Australian, New Zealand and UK water authorities have pledged to join the initiative as part of an alliance between peak industry bodies Water Services Association of Australia and Water UK.

Thirteen Australian and one New Zealand water authority are part of the alliance, with more set to join in the future.

The partnership was announced on Monday last week at the United Nations’ Climate Change Conference of Parties 26, COP26, in Glasgow.

Goulburn Valley Water managing director Steve Capewell said committing to the Race to Zero was vital for the future growth and prosperity of the region.

“Climate change is undoubtedly one of most pressing issues we currently face, and it has far-reaching serious repercussions for the water industry, particularly in a warmer and drier climate,” he said.

“We have a responsibility to take action where we can, and in committing to Race to Zero on an international stage in a global partnership, we’ve set a clear goal for GVW to meet in helping to mitigate climate change impacts.

“We’re proud to be part of the water sector as leading industry that is proactively addressing this issue, and it will be a great opportunity for us to embrace technology and partnerships to achieve our objectives in creating a sustainable and prosperous future for our region.”

Treating water and wastewater are energy intensive processes, which can also create gases like methane during the wastewater breakdown process.

Under Victoria’s water plan, Water for Victoria, the state’s water sector committed to leading on climate change and setting ambitious emissions-reduction targets on the path to net zero.

As well as reaching net zero by 2050, GVW has pledged to reduce carbon emissions to 37,416 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent by 2025 as part of an interim target, down from 71,742 tonnes in 2020-21.

To contribute towards the achievement of the State Government’s strong renewable energy targets, all electricity will be sourced from renewable sources by 2025, including from GVW’s own solar systems, which have generated more than 2570 megawatt hours from 4900 panels since they were installed in early 2020.

GVW will commission a further 250 kilowatts of solar panels in early 2022.

A high-efficiency wastewater treatment gas capture at GVW’s Shepparton and Tatura wastewater management facilities will also help the group meet its emissions target, along with additional emissions reduction initiatives to be developed in the next 12 months.

Water Services Association of Australian executive director Adam Lovell said while climate change was already causing irreversible harm, there were unique opportunities for water bodies to explore.

“The urban water industry is at the cutting edge of many innovations to reduce its carbon footprint, like producing renewable energy from food waste, harvesting the valuable resources that can be recovered through wastewater treatment, producing green hydrogen and ammonia which can be used as green fuels, using significant land corridors and reservoirs for solar panels and transitioning to electric vehicles,” he said.

“There are also many other water utilities who are well on their way in contributing to a net zero future and may join the Race to Zero campaign in the coming months.

“The industry is on the front foot in this rapidly evolving area, especially in light of the recent Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change report on climate change.”

For the first time, COP26, from November 1 to 12, will include a Water and Climate Change Pavilion to highlight the importance of water in climate solutions.

The 14 Australian and New Zealand water utilities to join Race to Zero collectively serve more than 18 million customers, have 160,000km of water and wastewater pipelines, and 354 treatment plants.

Wheel House Bikes makes touching donation to Kilmore family

The North Central Review

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November 9, 2021

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Wheel House Bikes makes touching donation to Kilmore family

By Colin MacGillivray

A BEAMING smile was a welcome sight for the family of Kilmore seven-year-old Jack, after the young brain-tumour patient was presented with a new bicycle by Wheel House Bikes on Thursday.

Jack was diagnosed with neurofibromatosis – a condition that causes tumours to form in the brain, spinal cord and nerves – nearly four years ago after being taken to the doctor for a routine check-up. The diagnosis came at an especially hard time for the family.

“His dad passed away four years ago and six months after he passed away we found out he had the brain tumour,” Jack’s mother Kylie said.

“He’s also got an optic nerve glioma, which is a benign, non-cancerous brain tumour.

“He had chemotherapy for 18 months to try to shrink the tumour and stabilise his vision, because it affects his vision. At the minute his vision is stabilised and the tumour is stabilised.

“The brain tumour is still there. They didn’t want to operate on the tumour because they said where it’s positioned, operating on it could send him completely blind. It’s a lot to deal with for a little boy.”

Jack was thrilled to ride his new bike for the first time, with his family watching on.

While Jack endured his treatment stoically, people who knew the family were eager to help.

Sue Nicholls, a customer at Kilmore’s Wheel House Bikes, said she knew of Jack’s plight and last year mentioned to Kylie that she was taking part in the Great Cycle Challenge – a charity fundraiser for the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, which is dedicated to researching and treating childhood medical conditions.

“When I mentioned to Kylie what I was doing she said she wanted to donate some money,” she said.

“I said ‘oh no, we’re doing it for families like you’, but Kylie gave me some money.

“I bumped into Kylie again a few weeks ago and said I was riding again [this year] and that I had a guernsey I wanted to give to Jack.”

But Ms Nicholls contributed far more than a guernsey. This year she was part of an eight-person Wheel House Bikes team that raised more than $7000 of a national $6.87 million during this year’s Great Cycle Challenge.

Wheel House Bikes owner Sam Cummins offered a $100 shop voucher for whichever team member raised the most money, and Ms Nicholls won the prize by raising more than $2500.

She decided to give the voucher to Jack’s family in addition to the guernsey, but when team coordinator Kim Lane told Mr Cummins what Ms Nicholls was planning to do, he decided to up the ante.

Mr Cummins donated a new bike to Jack as a surprise last week.

He said he was glad to be able to make a positive impact.

“The shop is going well, so I want to give back to the community. It’s the community who have made the shop what it is,” he said.

“It feels good to be able to help people out. I’ve seen [Jack] up and down the street on foot, so a bike will help him get around a lot easier.”

Jack is all smiles as he hops on his new bike.

Kylie said she was overwhelmed by the gesture.

“It was a beautiful, big surprise,” she said.

“It’s great to have good news like this. We want to say thank you so much.”

Mr Cummins said the Wheel House Bikes team planned to raise more money during next year’s Great Cycle Challenge in order to support more families like Jack’s.

“Hopefully [the challenge] should grow and get bigger every year, and next year when everyone can interact together it will be a bit better because we’ll be able to do group rides,” he said.

“This year it was all individual, so it’ll be more of an event if we can all do it together.”

Jack himself was simply happy to take his new bike for a ride.

When asked what he thought of it, all he could say was ‘wow’.