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In decision backflip, Mitchell Shire extends tip vouchers for residents

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In decision backflip, Mitchell Shire extends tip vouchers for residents

Mitchell Shire Council has decided to extend tip vouchers that were issued with last year’s rates notice, from September 30, 2021 to December 31, 2021, after fielding complaints.

This month, both the Review and council have heard complaints from residents who said council refused to extend their tip vouchers, despite some resource recovery centres closing to non-essential visits during lockdowns.

Residents expressed frustration, saying their waste at home had been building and some had seen others resort to illegal dumping.

Early last week council told the Review it would not be extending tip vouchers, saying it held significant concerns for the safety of staff and the ongoing ability to keep the resource recovery centres open if the vouchers were extended.

But on Friday that decision was reversed.

“We want to make things as easy as possible for our community through COVID, but we also need to be able to keep our essential waste services open, so we haven’t been in a position to make this decision earlier,” Mitchell Shire chief executive Brett Luxford said.

“With the peak period for fire season preparation coming and with COVID restrictions due to ease slightly in coming weeks as the vaccination targets for the roadmap to reopening are met, now is the right time to announce the extension.”

Council resource recovery centres remain open for essential visits during lockdown. A visit is deemed essential for residents in areas without kerbside collection; residents who need to dispose of ‘putrescible’ rotting food or green waste; and residents who are getting their properties ready for fire season.

For some residents however, the vouchers don’t address the bigger issue of lacking kerbside collection.

“A green waste bin would help, so would a twice yearly curb side rubbish collection. Just like other councils,” Mitchell Shire resident Rachel Summit said.

One resident, Haylie Mason, pointed out that some don’t have the ability or a vehicle to move waste and bring it to a tip, and that hard rubbish would be much safer.

Another resident, Kristy Jackson McGowan, told the Review they would happily pay to use the tip, they just wanted it to be open without restrictions.

“We have three trailer-loads sitting waiting to go and fire season is coming up. It makes it hard to keep things clear and sanitary,” they said.

“It’s also difficult for people in the process of selling houses and moving. Skip hire isn’t always possible, especially now as they are busier than usual.”

People using tips will need to comply with COVIDSafe rules, and people using the Wallan Resource Recovery Centre will also be screened by security guards prior to entry.

Security is in response to an increasing numbers of visitors from neighbouring Hume and Whittlesea council areas where resource recovery centres are closed.

Greens announce McEwen candidate Neil Barker to stand again

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Greens announce McEwen candidate Neil Barker to stand again

The Greens party has announced its federal candidate for the seat of McEwen will again be Neil Barker.

He will go up against sitting member, Labor’s Rob Mitchell, and Liberal candidate Richard Welch at next year’s federal election.

McEwen is considered a safe Labor seat, but Mr Barker is hoping to build on his eight per cent primary vote from the last election as he says more constituents want to see climate action.

“The biggest issue is climate change,” Mr Barker said.

“None of [the other issues] matter if we can’t get climate change under control.”

Having lived in Romsey for 28 years, Mr Barker said climate change had become one of the most pressing issues for McEwen residents as they see more frequent and more severe bushfires, storms and hotter summers.

“People are starting to realise this is a real issue and the idea that we can do nothing until someone else does, which is the view of the current government, it’s just not the Australian way,” he said.

“We don’t stand back and wait for other people to do the work.”

Mr Barker comes from a farming family, and attributes free university and a lower cost of living when he was young to his successful career within the Australian grain industry.

But he said his children, now in their 30s and 40s, have never had the same opportunities as he did.

“I came off a family farm and there was no way my family could afford to send me to university, that was no on the cards. Then free university came along and I jumped at the chance and studied an agricultural science degree with honours and went on to have a very successful career, with no HECS debt when I bought a house,” he said.

When Mr Barker married and bought his first house in his early 20s, the price of the house was four times his salary.

Today the average house price in the Mitchell Shire is nine times the average wage, and more than 10 times the average young person’s wage. In Melbourne average housing prices are more than double the shire.

“Everything has changed,” he said.

“For young people the opportunities in life are far more limited than what they were before.

“Our children … have been suffering stagnant wages for more than a decade and are struggling to cover out-of-pocket expenses for the health and education of their children.”

Mr Barker will be running on a platform of progressive tax system that takes the burden off young people and middle-income earners and onto the country’s wealthiest, as well as pushing for better Medicare and more affordable healthcare for the region.

“As an elderly person now I’m finding that out-of-pocket expenses for health, diagnostic testing is getting out of hand. I can see people in our electorate that are waiting for elective surgery, having to wait extraordinarily long times,” he said.

He will also support an independent federal corruption commission, saying the numerous scandals that have plagued the current government, including pork-barrelling, the sports rorts affair and the Robodebt scheme have been ‘breathtaking’.

“The things I’m going to be pushing hardest are to act now on climate change, to be a world leader not a laggard; to have an independent commission against corruption; and to have a more progressive taxation system,” Mr Barker said.

“They’re the things that are going to be a good springboard to launch the country into a better future.”

How to access health support from home if you test COVID positive in the Mitchell Shire

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How to access health support from home if you test COVID positive in the Mitchell Shire

Kilmore District Hospital, Northern Health and Seymour Health have launched or will launch in-home health support programs for residents who have tested positive for COVID-19 but do not require hospitalisation.

Kilmore District Hospital, KDH, launched its COVID-positive pathway on Monday – a program run by Goulburn Valley Health Public Health Unit.

COVID-positive patients will be assigned to hospitals based on the severity of their condition, for example, one that could be serious will be monitored by Goulburn Valley Health’s infectious diseases specialist.

“[KDH] is more likely to be managing the 70 per cent of people who don’t need to go to hospital,” KDH chief executive David Naughton said.

If assigned to KDH, there’s no need for patients to reach out to the healthcare provider, a dedicated nursing team will contact them once the positive test is confirmed and make contact with the individual or family daily to check on symptoms. The patient will also be given devices to self-measure oxygen levels, in case they require further care.

Mr Naughton said they were expecting significant demand as cases in the Mitchell Shire rise.

“There are 16,000 positive cases in Victoria – we won’t have 16,000 patients but we’re expecting to have a significant number, but won’t know until [later this] week,” he said.

Northern Health offers a telephone-monitoring program that helps to prevent unnecessary hospital admissions of mild COVID-19 cases and ensures isolation protocols are followed to limit community spread.

Northern Health has one of the state’s biggest COVID-19 wards, with the telephone program experiencing increasing daily demand.

“Last year, the COVID Monitor Program saw 900 patients over a three-month period, which at that time was the highest in Australia,” Hospital Without Walls divisional director Johanna Hayes said.

“In the past three weeks, we have gone from 20 patients to now over 2100 patients.”

Patients are allocated to Northern Health by the North Eastern Public Health Unit and will be contacted when they test positive.

People in the program will complete a daily self-check survey to let staff know how they are feeling. Staff will then contact people based on their symptoms and if they need assistance staying at home and isolating.

The program operates seven days a week, and provides people with health advice if symptoms worsen and how to get food and essential items during isolation. Support is also available for families with children, and interpreters are on hand.

Seymour Health is working towards establishing a home monitoring program for low risk COVID-19 positive client care in the home as part of the COVID-19+ Care and Monitoring in the Home program.

Staff from the Seymour Health COVID-19 testing clinic have been undertaking testing and welfare checks in the community for members living in a household with a positive member.

For people with exceptional circumstances and who cannot get to hospital for a COVID-19 test, Seymour Health also offers testing for people at their home.

Testing at home applies to Seymour and the surrounding areas and is conditional upon specific eligibility. People can find out more by contacting Seymour Health’s testing clinic on 0436 345 573.

Seymour’s Anzac Avenue to have lush new look

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Seymour’s Anzac Avenue to have lush new look

SEYMOUR’S Anzac Avenue will soon be covered by a lush green canopy as 28 English Oak trees have been planted to help recreate the avenue of trees planted in 1917.

In acknowledgement of the many young soldiers who had volunteered to fight for Australia in World War one, the residents of Seymour planted 114 oak trees along Anzac Avenue on July 21, 1917.

Mitchell Shire Mayor Rhonda Sanderson said the trees would help revitalise the character of Seymour and neighbouring towns.

‘‘One of Mitchell Shire’s main attractions is our rural landscapes and trees are an important part of our region’s character,” she said.

“We have planted new trees across the shire and will continue to work alongside developers and contractors to ensure we maintain a healthy network of trees.

“We look forward to the current plantings continuing to enhance our towns.”

Of the healthy crepe myrtles that were removed to make way for the oak trees, 11 were transplanted in Howard Place Reserve to help screen the boundary fence.  Another three crepe myrtles were planted near the carpark in Kings Park.

James Hall from The Seymour We Want community group led the campaign to secure a grant of $10,000 for the 28 English Oak trees.

“Growing up in Seymour, it’s great to see this avenue recreated as the memorial it was originally intended for,” he said.

“It will also create a much-needed street canopy for one of our main thoroughfares.”

The planting works are part of the Mitchell Shire 2021 planting season, which has seen almost 1600 trees planted throughout the shire.

Zooper Dooper DNA: Broadford burglar convicted after icy-pole wrappers found at crime scene

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Zooper Dooper DNA: Broadford burglar convicted after icy-pole wrappers found at crime scene

A Shepparton man who stole a gun, motorbike and heirloom jewellery from a Broadford home, was caught after he left DNA on two Zooper Dooper icy-pole packets he had eaten and left at the scene.

Tyson Ralph, 35, pleaded guilty in the County Court to two counts of burglary, theft of a vehicle, theft of a firearm, theft and handling stolen goods.

Prosecutor Honorah Edwards told the court Ralph broke into the house and stole a Winchester .22 calibre rifle after unlocking one lock on a gun safe with a key he found and then breaking the other lock.

He also took a Honda CRF70 motorbike from a garage, as well as stealing other items including jewellery, a handbag, .22 calibre cartridge ammunition, a jacket, camera, $300 cash, two sets of car keys and a packet of Zooper Doopers.

He then broke into a shed at Broadford Secondary College and used gym equipment to make a bed, before unsuccessfully trying to break into a staff room at the school.

Ms Edwards told the court that when police were called to the house, they found items from inside the house scattered everywhere, as well as two empty Zooper Dooper packets that contained Ralph’s DNA.

When police searched Ralph’s house they found power tools, a machete and some stolen number plates attached to a car.

The court heard Ralph told police he had bought a drill, tool case and wacker/vibration plate off someone he knew two or three days earlier for $450 and knew they had been stolen and he intended to sell them and make some money.

He also said he was given the registration plates on the car.

A victim impact statement read to the court by the owner of the house burglary told how he no longer felt safe in his own home and how he and his wife had not slept in the house for seven weeks afterwards.

He also spoke of the theft of a pocket-watch that had belonged to his great-great-grandmother that had been passed down through his family, saying a “part of his heart went” with the theft of it.

The man also told how he was not able to return to work due to anxiety and poor sleep and had retired because of it.

Ralph’s defence counsel Christopher Terry said his client was ‘under the grips of a significant methamphetamine addiction’ at the time and had started using drugs to ‘self-medicate’ because of a traumatic upbringing. He also told police his client had sold the motorbike and that he had ‘panicked’ and ‘disposed of the gun in a river’.

He did not know where the other items were, saying he last saw them in a room at his brother’s house where he was arrested. Mr Terry argued his client did not go to the house with the intention of stealing a gun, and had not known it was there until he found the gun safe in the house.

• On Friday, Ralph was sentenced to three years’ prison, with a non-parole period of 18 months, and 227 days already served.

Supplied by Shepparton News

Why is Mitchell Shire still locked down despite zero exposure sites?

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Why is Mitchell Shire still locked down despite zero exposure sites?

Member for Euroa Steph Ryan has called for answers on why Mitchell Shire remains in lockdown despite overall case numbers decreasing and no exposure sites offcially listed.

As of yesterday the total case number for Mitchell Shire was 129 active – less than the 138 cases in Shepparton, which had its lockdown lifted on Friday night.

According to the Department of Health website, it lists towns within Mitchell Shire to have the following active cases; Wallan 59; Broadford 27; Beveridge 17; Kilmore 14; Seymour 9; and Wandong – Heathcote Junction 3; Pyalong 1; Puckapunyal 1.

Ms Ryan raised the matter in Parliament last week, asking Health Minister Martin Foley a series of questions about restrictions in Mitchell Shire’s lockdown. 

“Case numbers, particularly in the south of the shire, continue to grow,” she said. 

“Yet the government claims there are no tier one exposure sites and the Health Minister this week claimed contact tracing was keeping pace. 

“It’s a ridiculous argument. The government cannot seriously expect us to believe that not a single one of the active cases in the shire has visited a petrol station, a supermarket or purchased takeaway food before testing positive.

“If that was the case, and it would be extraordinary, then why are Mitchell residents in lockdown when areas like Geelong and Warrnambool, which have dozens of exposure sites, including tier one sites, are not?

“It’s clear the region is in lockdown because the government’s contact tracing has been overwhelmed. 

“The community has been ignored and starved of information while case numbers continue to grow.”

Little Steps Early Education and Care, a Kilmore childcare centre, posted on its Facebook page on Sunday that a staff member had tested positive to COVID, and had worked on Wednesday and Thursday. But as of 3pm yesterday, it had not been listed on the Department of Health website.

Ms Ryan said with the supposedly seven-day lockdown, now into its fourth week, the government should tell the Mitchell Shire residents what the trigger was for bringing it to an end. 

“What are the acceptable case numbers in Mitchell Shire for to be removed from lockdown?,” she said.

“Will Mitchell Shire follow the metropolitan road map or will it be returned to regional Victorian restrictions when cases are lower?

“Business owners are facing financial ruin and kids are still unable to return to the classroom.

“Residents have also been told by the Health Department they can no longer attend vaccination appointments in Shepparton, contrary to the government’s own restrictions.

“It’s madness. Mitchell Shire residents deserve far better than this.”

At yesterday’s daily government media conference, Health Minister Martin Foley attributed the Mitchell Shire’s lockdown to its close proximity to Melbourne’s northern suburbs, where there are large outbreaks.

“I think its got still a few days of its current declaration to play out,” he said.

“All the epidemiological conditions of all the areas that are in lockdown, be they metropolitan Melburne, Mildura or in this case Mitchell Shire, are reviewed constantly.

“As the public health team get to their point of decision making, we’ll share that with the Victorian people, and particularly the people of the Mitchell Shire, but we’ve got nothing to announce today.”

Member for Northern Victoria Jaclyn Symes last week implored people to follow health advice.

“I am the only member of parliament who lives and works in the Mitchell Shire, I talk with people impacted by the lockdown everyday, I know it’s hard and I know we all want this to be over,” she said.

“While I know the Mitchell Shire community are frustrated and tired of restrictions, we will continue to keep the community safe by following public health advice.

“I’m saddened that there are so many active cases in our shire and the risk this poses to our community, particularly the most vulnerable. That is why the public health advice is for our LGA to be subject to the same restrictions as metro Melbourne. 

“Vaccination is our ticket out of this pandemic and getting back to doing the things we all enjoy with those we love.”

NCR (2021-10-12)

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NCR (2021-10-12)

WR (2021-10-12)

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WR (2021-10-12)

Council responds to 2000 signatures against Wollert affordable housing proposal

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Council responds to 2000 signatures against Wollert affordable housing proposal

By Aleksandra Bliszczyk

A petition against a proposed affordable housing development in Wollert has picked up more than 2000 signatures, sparking debate on social media.

At last month’s council meeting, City of Whittlesea administrators resolved to lease land to a community housing organisation for a 50-year term, after a council report showed that demand far outstrips supply for affordable housing in the municipality, and that gap will continue to increase with the growing population.  

The petition was started by a resident who lives 900 metres from the proposed five-acre development site at 1F Ashline Street Wollert, who says the development would devalue his property.

Council has responded saying there is no evidence to suggest it would impact housing prices.

“There is no evidence to suggest home values are impacted by affordable housing,” City of Whittlesea chief executive Craig Lloyd said.

“What we do know is that there is a significant shortage of affordable housing in the City of Whittlesea which has been exacerbated by the pandemic, which has left more people without incomes and or significantly reduced incomes.”

One in five City of Whittlesea households is classified as having a very low income and one in three households who are renting is experiencing housing stress, which is defined as spending 30 per cent or more of household income on rent. 

The rate of affordable housing provision in Wollert is 0.7 per cent, far lower than Greater Melbourne’s average at 2.6 per cent.

As of December 2020, there were no rental properties available in the Epping North and Wollert area for very low-income households.

There are currently at least 630 people living in the City of Whittlesea who are homeless, and the municipality has one of the highest family violence rates in metropolitan Melbourne.

“We urgently need more housing for people on low incomes,” Mr Lloyd said.

“The Victorian Government is investing in the Big Build Program funding to help address this critical shortage and council is looking at ways we can also support our residents to find affordable housing.

“The Ashline Street proposal in Wollert is about providing high-quality and attractive local housing for local people which is affordable in a location that is close to parks, schools, shops, public transport and other facilities. Council is consulting with the community about this proposal before making a decision.”

Community consultation was open for a month and closed yesterday. The outcomes of community consultation and council’s decision will be heard at the December ordinary council meeting.

City of Whittlesea releases performance report after first full year under panel of administrators

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City of Whittlesea releases performance report after first full year under panel of administrators

The City of Whittlesea has released its 2020-21 annual report detailing its performance during the first full year under the leadership of a panel of administrators.

As a local government requirement, the annual report provides the community with an overview of council’s achievements during the 2020-2021 financial year, reported against each council goal and its annual budget.

This year council has delivered a number of infrastructure projects, upgrades and initiatives within its budget allocation, as well as responding to the COVID-19 pandemic with financial support for businesses and community organisations.

In 2020-21 council allocated $54 million to its new works program, which included more than 133 projects to build and upgrade community centres, sporting fields, tennis courts, playgrounds, roads, bike paths and footpaths across the municipality.

It also completed the $25 million redevelopment of Mill Park Leisure, introduced an opt-in food and garden organics waste recycling service, resulting in a 16 per cent increase in the diversion of food and garden waste from landfill, and implemented a new online planning portal, allowing people to manage their planning applications from start to finish in the one location, as well as receive real-time application status updates.

Council’s $2 million COVID-19 recovery program includes $400,000 to community organisations for emergency relief and $400,000 for a ‘support local’ campaign and incentive program to help businesses.

At the most recent council meeting, chair administrator Lydia Wilson said while the pandemic had a significant impact on the community, the City of Whittlesea had been able to adapt and deliver important services.

“I’m immensely proud of the amazing work undertaken by our staff, and particularly given a period of enormous instability and turbulence associated with the pandemic,” she said.

“It’s been a constant process of flux and this has obviously not been easy.

“Our residents, service providers, local business and the staff at the City of Whittlesea have all responded and adapted … and I feel privileged to be representing this community.”

Council has also successfully advocated for several community support initiatives this year, including the inaugural Whittlesea youth advisory committee; a headspace satellite service for youth mental health at the Baseline for Young People facility; and an international student wellbeing hub. Council also received an Orange Door Access point, a key family violence support service.

“We have continued to develop strong strategic partnerships and advocate to all levels of government about the issues that matter to our community,” Ms Wilson said.

She said with a growing population, council would continue to focus on improving customer service, working to make it easier for the community to interact with council and share issues that matter to them.

The report also provides a snapshot of the municipality’s community, which saw a three per cent population growth this year, with Mill Park the biggest suburb and Whittlesea township the smallest.

A total of 44 per cent of residents speak a language other and English at home, while 35 per cent were born overseas.

The median age of the city is 34, with 60 babies born every week.

The full annual report is available to read at whittlesea.vic.gov.au/annual report.

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