Golden Plains Shire Council Gazette - Issue 5, 2020

Gazette

ISSUE 5, 2020

4

Mayoral Youth Award-Winners

5

Council Elections 2020

9

Funding for Lethbridge Lights

COMMUNITY COUNCIL NEWS NEWS

From the Mayor In the last Gazette, the Coronavirus update was focused on the reopening of community facilities and the return of Council services across the Shire. We were all excited to move safely forward and put the lockdown behind us.

It’s a common saying that a week is a long time in politics but, as we are all experiencing, a week is a very long time in a pandemic. Now, we have returned to working and schooling at home and wearing masks whenever we go out for essentials. As the stay-athome parent running home school for our three daughters while my wife, a nurse, works at the hospital, it’s hard to believe we’re back here again. Sometimes, when you take a moment to reflect, it all seems rather surreal, as we live through a very different 2020 to what we envisioned at the New Year countdown.

When we first went into lockdown at the start of the pandemic, I wrote a message that I believed then, and has been proven true so many times over the past several months: “Golden Plains is a special place to live – and we have 56 wonderful townships with community-minded residents

who we know will rise to meet the moment…Golden Plains is full of supportive people and strong communities, and I know that together we can get through these difficult times.”

As the reality of the pandemic continues to hit home and we face the uncertainty it has brought, it is heartening to see our communities come together to support families, friends and neighbours. We don’t know how far we are from the finish line, but we will get there together. In the days, weeks and months ahead, please remember to stay safe and connected, be kind, and take care.

Thank You On a final note, I’d like to extend a heartfelt thank you for all the support I’ve received over the past two years as Mayor and four years as a Councillor. It has been an honour and a privilege to serve the people of Golden Plains and I’ve most enjoyed meeting so many residents of all ages in communities across the Shire.

With Council elections scheduled in October, I would encourage community members interested in serving the community to stand for council, and all residents to vote for their elected Councillors. For more election information, please see page 5 of the Gazette.

Cr Owen Sharkey - Mayor of Golden Plains Shire Council

Coronavirus Update In line with the Victorian Government’s reintroduced Stage Three restrictions, Council made changes to its services in August.

Bannockburn and Mobile Libraries, stadiums, community centres and change and club rooms at recreation facilities are also closed until at least Sunday 13 September.

Council’s Bannockburn and Smythesdale Customer Service Centres are closed for face-to-face interactions until at least Sunday 13 September.

Essential services of Council that require physical contact including immunisation, maternal and child health services, delivered meals (meals on wheels), childcare, community care, and food safety inspections have continued throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, with increased healthy and safety measures.

Customers can still contact the Customer Service team during this time by: • Phone: 5220 7111 • Email: enquiries@gplains.vic.gov.au • Online: goldenplains.vic.gov.au/forms/portal Residents who use Council’s sharps containers collection and drop-off service in Bannockburn and require sharps containers, are encouraged to contact Council’s Customer Service team on 5220 7111 to discuss new arrangements.

Playgrounds, skate and bike parks, campgrounds, 2 | Golden Plains Shire Gazette | ISSUE 5, 2020

For the latest health and restriction advice, as well as how to find the closest testing location, please visit dhhs.vic.gov.au/ coronavirus or call the COVID-19 hotline on 1800 675 398.

This information is current as of 14 August 2020.

For up-to-date information on the status of Council’s services, operations and events, visit goldenplains.vic. gov.au/coronavirus, or follow Council on social media.

COMMUNITY GRANTS PROGRAM

Money for Local Community Groups Sixteen Golden Plains community groups have been awarded Community Strengthening Grants

by Council, to deliver an exciting range of community projects and programs across the Shire.

In the first round of this year’s revamped program, Council awarded a combined $74,284 to the successful groups for projects across four categories: Healthy Active Living; Creative Community; Environment and Sustainability; and Community Safety. These grants will support a variety of programs, including protecting biodiversity in local reserves, improving community sporting facilities, and helping children deal with the impacts of family violence trauma.

With COVID-19 restrictions preventing a community celebration event to present each community group with their grant, Council invited recipients to tune into

the livestream of the July Council Meeting, where Councillors read out a short statement on each of the successful projects.

Apply Now: Round Two Grants Applications for Round Two of this year’s Community Strengthening Grants program are now open and must be received by Monday 21 September, 2020. Community groups seeking more information on the program are encouraged to contact Council’s Community Partnerships Officer on 5220 7220, email communitygrants@gplains. vic.gov.au, or visit goldenplains.vic.gov.au/grants.

The recipients of the first round of Council’s 2020 Community Strengthening Grants are: Healthy Active Living Grants Leisure Networks

Mini Movers project

$8,000

Haddon Recreational Committee of Management

Spectator Seating

$2,756

Bannockburn and District Bowls Club

Bowls for Bannockburn

$4,500

Inverleigh Golf Club

Disc Golf Project

$8,900

WRISC Family Violence Support

Van Go Project

$2,880

Meredith Recreation Reserve Committee of Management

Hall improvements

$3,625

Ross Creek/Smythes Creek Community Coordinators

Community Signage

$3,075

Creative Community Grants Rokewood/Corindhap Community Coordinators

History Boards

$2,225

Northern Access TV

Chronicles X TV Episode on Golden Plains

$7,500

Meredith History Interest Group

Bringing History Alive

$2,662.50

Smythesdale Community Arts

Community Arts and Music Fiesta

$3,000

Environment and Sustainability Grants Friends of Bannockburn Bush

Accessible Tracks

$5,000

Ballarat Environment Network

Fencing in defence of biodiversity

$8,000

Birdlife Australia

Water security for woodland birds and biodiversity

$5,630

Bannockburn CFA Brigade

Portable Lighting

$1,530

Bannockburn Cemetery Trust

Safety Fencing and Tree Barriers

$5,000

Community Safety Grants

ISSUE 5, 2020 | Golden Plains Shire Gazette | 3

COMMUNITY NEWS

Celebrating Our Youth Volunteers The Mayoral Youth Program’s Community Impact Awards recognise and celebrate the positive contributions local young people already make to our community, while encouraging new young people to be more actively involved in their communities.

In the program’s first year, 40 young people who demonstrated a positive impact to an individual, group or the environment have been recognised and all awardwinners have received a $50 Officeworks voucher and a framed award certificate.

The many achievements of this year’s award-winners range from volunteering with the Lethbridge Junior Football Club and the Teesdale CFA brigade, to designing and campaigning for the future upgrade of Meredith skate park, helping establish the first youth group in Smythesdale and getting involved in Bannockburn College’s Koorie education group.

Due to the COVID-19 restrictions, the Awards Presentation, presented by Mayor Cr Owen Sharkey, was held online via Zoom on 20 August 2020.

Congratulations to the Mayoral Youth Program 2019/20 Award-Winners Daisy French

Russells Bridge

Emily Bradley

Batesford

Mason Corbett

Lethbridge

Noah Hutchison

Bannockburn

Chris Meyer

Shelford

Louise Van Baar

Teesdale

Samantha Watkins

Bannockburn

Teegan Crawford

Sutherlands Creek

Zoe King

Shelford

Hayley Crawford

Sutherlands Creek

William Bradley

Batesford

Alisha Nurnaitis

Bannockburn

Charlie Thompson

Lethbridge

Rachel Kaiser

Maude

Novella Rollins

Bannockburn

Luke Getsom

Piggoreet

Alex Loveday

Meredith

Michael Jales

Lethbridge

Ethan Vorkauf

Meredith

Zac Aberdein

Smythes Creek

Eibhlinn Sharkey

Batesford

Matthew Hooper

Mannibadar

Bridie Orr

Inverleigh

Joshua Hooper

Mannibadar

Harry Brown

Bannockburn

Harley Murfitt

Meredith

Molly Weiler

Bannockburn

Max Love

Meredith

Riley Box-Tweedy

Bannockburn

Kynan Munday

Meredith

Gus Edwards

Inverleigh

Jayden Stewart

Bannockburn

Camdyn Gregory

Bannockburn

Angus Kasbach

Garibaldi

Jackson Lander-Mitchell

Bannockburn

Nevada Childe

Rokewood

Andrea Wellington

Teesdale

Darby Mayfield

Ross Creek

Zac McKiernan

Bannockburn

Talia Jonas

Smythesdale

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COUNCIL NEWS

Council Election 2020 The next Council election will be held on Saturday 24 October, 2020. Council elections are conducted by the Victorian Electoral Commission and this year, seven Councillors will be elected to form the Council of Golden Plains Shire from 2020 to 2024.

VOTER INFORMATION

Golden Plains Shire Council has created a one-stop hub for candidates and residents seeking more information on the election: goldenplains.vic.gov.au/elections.

If you are 18 years or older on election day, and live in, or are a ratepayer in, the Golden Plains Shire, you are eligible to vote.

CANDIDATE INFORMATION

For more information about voting in Council elections, please visit vec.vic.gov.au

Interested in running for Council?

The Councillor Candidate Information Fact Sheet provides important information for candidates including the election timeline, requirements, induction program, and benefits and entitlements.

Information Sessions: The Victorian Local Government Association (VLGA) will host two optional information sessions for Golden Plains Shire candidates at 4pm, 1 and 3 September, 2020. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, these information sessions will be held online through Zoom.

The Municipal Association of Victoria (MAV) also held an information session on 11 August. All candidate information sessions were promoted on Council’s website and social media, and in the Golden Plains Times and local community newsletters.

Candidate Training: All 2020 Council election candidates must complete the prescribed (mandatory) candidate training, facilitated by Local Government Victoria via an eLearning module. The training must be completed before a candidate nominates.

For the fact sheets, mandatory training FAQ’s and links to information sessions and candidate training, visit goldenplains.vic.gov.au/elections

The Golden Plains Shire Council elections will be held by postal ballot. Ballot packs will be mailed out by the Victorian Electoral Commission to all registered voters from 6 October, 2020.

ELECTION PERIOD The Election Period commences on Tuesday 22 September, 2020 and concludes at 6pm, Saturday 24 October, 2020.

Council has an Election Period Policy in place to ensure that the ordinary business of Council can continue throughout the election period in a responsible and transparent manner.

KEY ELECTION DATES 2020 1 & 3 September – 4pm, VLGA Candidate Information Workshops (online) 17 September – Candidate nominations open 22 September - Candidate nominations close 12pm. Election Period commences.

6 October – Ballot Packs mailed out to voters 23 October – Voting closes 24 October – Election Day. Election Period concludes 13 November – Declaration of Results (Note: Results may be declared prior to this date) This information was correct as of 14 August, 2020.

For Council Election information, visit vec.vic.gov.au

Council Meetings 2020 On 23 April 2020, the Victorian Parliament passed emergency COVID-19 legislation enabling ‘virtual’ council meetings to be held until 2 November 2020. Golden Plains Shire Council Meetings will be held virtually under the provisions.

All meetings of Council are livestreamed on Council’s YouTube channel. For a direct link, visit Council’s website or social media on the day of the meeting and all Council meetings start at 6pm. A recording will be made available on Council’s website following the meeting.

Council will accept public questions submitted in accordance with the Local Law No. 1. Due to COVID-19 and the meeting being held virtually, public questions will be read out by the Chief Executive Officer as proxy (where appropriate).

All public presentations and submissions must be in written form and will be read out by the Mayor at the

meeting. The maximum time limit of five minutes is still applicable in accordance with Local Law No. 1.

The following Ordinary Meetings of Council are scheduled for 2020: Monday 21 September, Tuesday 24 November and Tuesday 15 December. There is no Ordinary Meeting of Council in October due to the Local Government Election on Saturday 24 October, 2020.

There are also the following Unscheduled (Special) Meetings: Tuesday 1 September, 2020: Submissions on Bannockburn Family Services Centre Lease Proposal (if required) Tuesday 8 September, 2020: Bannockburn Family Services Centre Lease Proposal Tuesday 17 November, 2020: Mayoral Election The meeting agenda is available on Council’s website on the Friday prior to the meeting. For agendas and more information, visit goldenplains.vic.gov.au ISSUE 5, 2020 | Golden Plains Shire Gazette | 5

COMMUNITY ROAD AND BRIDGES NEWS

Building Bridges Two significant bridge projects were recently completed in Golden Plains, providing safer travel for residents and visitors to Inverleigh and Steiglitz.

Barwon Park Road Bridge With the old bridge over Warrambine Creek showing signs of structural distress, the deck of the Barwon Park Road Bridge in Inverleigh has been replaced.

The existing and outdated w-beam bridge barrier was removed and upgraded to a VicRoads-approved medium performance bridge barrier. The narrow, steep 3.8m approach from the north was also widened to provide two traffic lanes and a new retaining wall was constructed to improve retention of the approach fill.

The responsibility for Barwon Park Road Bridge and this $620,000 project is shared by Golden Plain Shire and Surf Coast Shire Councils. Of Council’s $310,000 commitment, $110,000 came from the Federal Government’s Roads to Recovery Program.

Barwon Park Road Bridge.

Steiglitz Bridge Traffic is once again flowing over Sutherlands Creek in Steiglitz, with the reopening of Steiglitz-Durdidwarrah Road after works were completed on the bridge in June.

The maintenance works completed on the Steiglitz Bridge include replacing timber components on the deck and sub-structure.

Franklin Bridge Works on the Franklin Bridge in Napoleons are progressing well. The new $2.85 million bridge is a partnership project with a $512,000 contribution from Council and the remaining funding from City of Ballarat and the Federal Government.

Steiglitz Bridge.

COUNCIL’S ONLINE GRADING CALENDAR Want to know when your local road will be graded?

Council’s annual maintenance schedule of local unsealed roads for the 2020/21 budget year is now online.

To find out when Council’s graders will be completing routine maintenance on roads in your area, visit goldenplains.vic.gov.au/road-events/calendar/month.

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To view which streets are scheduled to be graded each week, simply click on each calendar entry.

If you wish to report a road maintenance issue, please contact Council’s Customer Service team on 5220 7111 or submit a request through Council’s online Customer Service Portal.

ROAD PROJECTS

Completed: Road Projects 2019/20 Council has completed its roads and bridge infrastructure program, delivering all the project commitments in its 2019/20 Budget.

With significant funding from Federal and State Governments, these new and upgraded roads and bridges have made travel on local roads safer for residents and visitors to Golden Plains Shire.

Pitfield-Cressy Road A significant road upgrade and widening of 3.8kms of Pitfield-Cressy Road.

Project Value: $1.2 million From Council Budget: $0

Tall Tree Road, Lethbridge The upgrade and sealing of 3.5 km and widening and replacement of 2.2km of this key arterial road of the Golden Plains Food Production Precinct.

Project Value: $1.4 million From Council Budget: $472,000

Coopers Bridge, Meredith Existing single-lane, load-limited bridge replaced with new doublelane concrete bridge with new safer road approaches.

Project Value: $1.6 million From Council Budgets (2018/19 and 2019/20): $1.3 million

Linton-Mannibadar Road The widening and sealing of 5.5kms of Linton-Mannibadar Road.

Project Value: $1.4 million From Council Budget: $0

Teesdale-Lethbridge Road The reconstruction, sealing and drainage improvements of 740 metres north of ShelfordBannockburn Road.

Project Value: $500,000 From Council Budget: $0

Barwon Park Road Bridge, Inverleigh Bridge deck replacement and new road approaches.

Project Value: $620,000 From Council Budget: $200,000

Maude-She Oaks Road The widening of 3kms and upgrade of intersections on Maude-She Oaks Road.

Project Value: $1.485 million From Council Budget: $1.1 million

Wall Bridge, Teesdale Existing 99-year-old single-lane timber bridge was replaced with a new concrete bridge with new footbridge.

Project Value: $607,000 From Council Budget: $303,500

Footpath Projects New and improved footpaths in Smythesdale, Scarsdale, Rokewood and Bannockburn.

Project Value: $354,000 From Council Budget: $300,000

Road Projects 2020/21

Blackspot Funding: $1.2 million

With the 2020/21 Council Budget approved, works on the following roads and infrastructure projects will be delivered next year:

Golden Plains Shire Council has secured $1.238 million from the Federal Government’s 2020/21 Black Spot Program.

The following road projects will be delivered with the Black Spot funding:

• S helford-Mt Mercer Road Improvements • Russells Bridge Road Improvements in Sutherlands Creek • Replacement of Geggies Road Bridge in Rokewood* • Rehabilitation of Slate Quarry Road Bridge in Rokewood* • Replacement of Reserve Road Bridge in Rokewood * Subject to grant funding

Shelford-Mt Mercer Road Funding: $1.1 million The Project: Widening and sealing 3.5kms of Shelford-Mt Mercer Road from Grahams Road to Rices Road, with guard rails installed.

Russells Bridge Road Funding: $138,000 The Project: Works along 2km section near Parker Road at Russells Bridge to reduce speed limit to 60km/h, and install additional chevron alignment markers, raised reflective pavement markers and guide posts. A barrier line and guard rail will also be installed.

ISSUE 5, 2020 | Golden Plains Shire Gazette | 7

COUNCIL NEWS

Delivering for Golden Plains Roundabouts in the south, playgrounds in the north, and a new bridge project in the centre – these are some of the infrastructure projects that will be delivered in Golden Plains Shire next year, thanks to investment from the Federal Government.

With our fast population growth, Council is proactive in lobbying for Federal and State Government investment in our Shire and is proud to secure significant funding for key roads and community infrastructure works.

Local Roads & Infrastructure: $1.33 million The Federal Government’s new $500 million Local Road and Community Infrastructure Program will help local councils support jobs and businesses by delivering priority projects focused on infrastructure upgrades and maintenance.

In July, Council allocated the $1.33 million secured by Golden Plains to several shovel-ready local roads and community infrastructure projects, to be delivered by mid-2021: • Reserve Road Bridge in Rokewood: $700,000 Replacement of an aged, load limited single-lane timber bridge with a new unrestricted double-lane concrete bridge on an improved road alignment.

Major Roundabouts: $9.7 million Bannockburn Township Entrance The Federal Government has unlocked $3.2 million in federal funding to deliver the Bannockburn Township Entrance Safety Project – a major roundabout constructed to improve public safety at the entrance to the business centre of Golden Plains Shire’s largest town.

Fully funded by the Federal Government, Regional Roads Victoria will build the new roundabout at this site, designed to safely control the five entry and departure roads that meet at the intersection, including the main entries to town from Geelong and Ballarat. The project also includes concrete splitter islands at each entry to the roundabout and street lighting to VicRoads’ standards.

The Bannockburn Community Plan identifies the roundabout as one of the most important local issues in the fast-growing town. With more than 10,000 vehicles travelling through the intersection every day and 10 percent of these heavy vehicles, the current intersection creates major traffic flow issues and is a clear safety hazard.

Council has long been pushing for government investment for this Priority Project and is pleased the funding from the Federal Government and works by Regional Roads Victoria will deliver a safer entrance to Bannockburn.

• Maude Recreation Reserve / Lookout Water Supply: $15,500 Upgrade to a reticulated water supply for camping area and toilet block in Maude.

• Playground Renewal in Dereel, Linton, Garibaldi and Haddon: $240,455 • Inverleigh Female Friendly Change Rooms: $177,700 Towards two new female friendly/unisex change rooms and refurbishment of two existing player change rooms at Inverleigh Recreation Reserve.

• GPS Youth Hub*: $100,000 Towards a new Golden Plains Youth Hub facility delivering local youth services and programs.

• Bannockburn Skate Park Upgrade*: $100,000 * Subject to successful funding applications. In the event the contributing funding is not secured, the funding will be diverted to deliver the widening of Meredith-Shelford Road.

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Mayor Cr Owen Sharkey and Senator Sarah Henderson met to discuss the Federal Government’s funding commitment for the Bannockburn entrance roundabout in July.

Midland Highway In July, Council welcomed the news that the Midland Highway and Clyde Road intersection in Bannockburn will be upgraded by the Federal and Victorian Governments, with $6.5 million allocated to fund Regional Roads Victoria’s planned roundabout at the busy intersection.

The Midland Highway is an important transport link that connects Golden Plains Shire to Geelong and Ballarat, providing residents with easy access to services and jobs. As the population of the Shire continues to grow, Golden Plains Shire Council has been active in lobbying for improvements to the Midland Highway and other important transport routes.

COMMUNITY NEWS

Lighting Up Lethbridge Pictured above are (left to right, back row) Member for Buninyong Michaela Settle MP; Sharon Boyd, Secretary of the Lethbridge Recreation Reserve Committee of Management and Lethbridge Junior Football Club; Mayor Cr Owen Sharkey; and (left to right, front row) Jaydan Corbett of Lethbridge Junior Football Club, Matthew Boyd of the Lethbridge Cricket Club, and Evie Bounds of the Lethbridge Junior Football Club.

The Lethbridge Recreation Reserve will be the latest Golden Plains Shire sporting facility to receive new sports lighting, thanks to a partnership by Council, and State and Federal Governments.

On 17 July, Mayor Cr Owen Sharkey and members of the Lethbridge Junior Football and Lethbridge Cricket Club joined Member for Buninyong Michaela Settle MP, in Lethbridge to announce the State Government’s $250,000 commitment. The funding comes from the Victorian Government’s Local Sport Infrastructure Fund, following the successful grant application from Council.

The $450,000 Lethbridge Lighting and Irrigation project will deliver four new lighting towers at Lethbridge Recreation Reserve and a subsurface irrigation system.

The project will deliver a quality community sport facility catering for junior sport in Lethbridge, with the new lighting to AFL training standards (50 lux) enabling the increased use of the facility, as well as providing further opportunities for quality physical activity for children in the township.

The subsurface irrigation works will address safety issues for users, through improving the current surface condition of the oval. These works include the installation of an automatic irrigation system, tanks and pumps.

The upgraded Lethbridge Recreation Reserve is home to the Rosellas - the Lethbridge Junior Football and Lethbridge Cricket Club – and the players will be able to train at night, when community sport returns. All local residents will enjoy the green space under lights to play with their children or take the dog for a walk in the evening.

Advocating for Our Communities Golden Plains Shire Council and the Lethbridge community lobbied State and Federal Governments for investment in the Lethbridge Lighting and Irrigation project and led the way with $100,000 committed to this project in its 2019/20 Budget. Last year, the Federal Government matched the $100,000 commitment to the project as part of its election pledges and in July, the State Government announced its $250,000 contribution to cement investment from all three tiers of government.

In the past few years, Golden Plains Shire Council has actively advocated for and delivered sports lighting upgrades across the Shire. This year, the new lights at Rokewood Recreation Reserve and the new and upgraded lights on both Victoria Park ovals in Bannockburn, were switched on. In 2019, the lighting upgrade at the Linton Recreation Reserve was completed and in Inverleigh, local sporting clubs have enjoyed the new lights at the Inverleigh Sporting Complex since early 2018.

ISSUE 5, 2020 | Golden Plains Shire Gazette | 9

COMMUNITY NEWS

The Tidy Towns of Golden Plains Communities from across Golden Plains Shire feature prominently in the list of finalists for this year’s Keep Victoria Beautiful Tidy Towns Awards.

Announced in June, six local community groups and one Golden Plains Shire township have been named finalists across five categories for the organisation’s Sustainable Communities – Tidy Towns awards:

Overall 2020 Tidy Town Finalist • Bannockburn

Community Finalists • Turtle Bend Events Committee – Teesdale Celebrates • Bannockburn Community Planning Group Inc – Advocacy for the Teesdale to Bannockburn Cycling Path • R oss Creek – Smythes Creek Community Group – Car Boot Sale

Environment Finalists • Ross Creek Landcare Group – Ongoing commitment to Ross Creek Nature Reserve • Friends of Bannockburn Bush – Cleaning up the Bush • Friends of Bannockburn Bush – Protecting the Bush

History & Culture Finalist • Meredith History Interest Group – Significant Trees of Meredith & District

Indigenous Culture Finalist • Bannockburn Community Planning Group Inc – Advocacy for the Milton Street Ironbark Arbour

Keep Victoria Beautiful’s Sustainable Communities – Tidy Towns Awards recognise, celebrate and share grassroots initiatives and positive actions taken by community groups, educational institutions, businesses and councils in regional and rural Victoria.

The Tidy Towns Awards program has been running since 1982. The winners of each award category will be announced in September 2020.

For more information about Keep Victoria Beautiful and the Tidy Towns Awards, visit kvb.org.au

A Local Community Hero Congratulations to Golden Plains Shire local Brendan Johnston who has been nominated for Awards Australia’s 2020 Community Hero Award.

Brendan was nominated in recognition of his voluntary work collecting litter discarded along the roadsides of the Haddon and Smythes Creek area. Congratulations to Brendan and all the best for the awards announcement!

Mayor Cr Owen Sharkey recently met with members of the Beautify Bannockburn Group and nominator Stuart McCallum, viewing beautification works in downtown Bannockburn.

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COMMUNITY NEWS

Avian Flu Outbreak In August, Agriculture Victoria advised Council that a number of free-range egg farms near Lethbridge had tested positive for H7N7 avian influenza virus.

Movement controls were put in place in Golden Plains Shire and the affected properties were quarantined. These controls prohibit, until further notice, the movement of birds, equipment and products within and out of, the designated restricted area, except under permit issued by Agriculture Victoria.

Victoria’s Chief Veterinary Officer issued a Housing of Livestock clause for 30 days from 7 August 2020, legally requiring all poultry owners in Golden Plains Shire – even those with just two or three chickens or birds – to keep their birds enclosed.

The Victorian Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) confirmed the H7N7 virus is not a risk to the public as it rarely affects humans unless there is direct and close contact with sick birds. There are no food safety issues identified; properly cooked chicken meat and eggs are safe to eat.

If you have had contact with birds on an affected property and you are experiencing cold or flu symptoms, call your doctor or DHHS on 1300 651 160 for medical advice.

Poultry farmers, and backyard flock and bird owners are urged to report any cases of unexplained bird deaths to the 24-hour Emergency Animal Disease Watch Hotline on 1800 675 888, to your local vet or to Agriculture Victoria animal health staff.

For more information including restrictions and movement permits, visit agriculture.vic.gov.au/biosecurity/animal-diseases Note: This information was correct at time of printing: Friday 14 August, 2020.

SAVE DATE

THE

Shake It Off! Council recently launched its latest online health and wellbeing program: Shake It Off. Community members are invited to take part in the series of free online weekly dance classes to promote mental health and wellbeing. The classes are for all ages, abilities and skills with a focus on fun, trying something new, and keeping the body and mind active during the COVID-19 restrictions.

To sign up for the Shake It Off lessons, please email Council’s Health and Wellbeing team at GPSHealthandWellbeing@gplains.vic.gov.au or call 5220 7111. Council will also create a compilation video of interested participants performing the dance routine to be broadcast on its social media channels as part of Mental Health Week.

The Napoleons community is preparing to celebrate a very special occasion –Napoleons Primary School’s 150th Birthday! The school community is planning a special celebration on Sunday, 1 November 2020, so save the date in your calendars today. For more information, visit goldenplains. vic.gov.au/events.

THE GAZETTE EVENTS CALENDAR Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the cancellation of many community events, Council has not published its regular community events calendar in this issue of the Gazette.

Some events, including small business clinics, are now being held online.

To keep up-to-date with local events, visit Council’s online events calendar at goldenplains.vic.gov.au/events ISSUE 5, 2020 | Golden Plains Shire Gazette | 11

COMMUNITY NOTICE BOARD Customer Service Due to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, Council’s Bannockburn and Smythesdale Customer Service Centres are closed for face-to-face interactions, until further notice.

BANNOCKBURN 8.30am to 5pm, Monday to Friday 2 Pope Street, Bannockburn Victoria, 3331.

SMYTHESDALE 8.30am to 5pm, Monday to Friday 19 Heales Street, Smythesdale Victoria, 3351.

PHONE P: 5220 7111 F: 5220 7100 POSTAL ADDRESS Golden Plains Shire Council PO Box 111, Bannockburn, Victoria 3331.

EMERGENCY CONTACTS P: 1300 363 036 P: 5220 7111 (24 Hours) To receive a copy of the Gazette in large print, call 5220 7111.

The deadline for Issue 6 of the Gazette is 9am, Tuesday 3 November, 2020.

Email: news@gplains.vic.gov.au or post to PO Box 111, Bannockburn 3331.

COVER: Pictured from left to right: Jaydan Corbett, Evie Bounds and Matthew Boyd celebrate the announcement of new lighting at the Lethbridge Recreation Reserve.

Photo courtesy of Golden Plains Times.

Rates Notices 2020/21 All Golden Plains Shire ratepayers have now received their 2020/21 Rate Notices in the mail.

With the notice is the Your Rates Explained 2020/21 brochure that details how rates are charged and the meaning of the information and figures on the notice. If you have a question and the answer is not in the brochure, please call Council’s Rates Team at 5220 7111.

New this year, Council has introduced a 10 monthly payment option so now there are three ways to pay your Rates & Charges 2020/21: 1. Pay in one full payment by 15 February, 2021.

2. Pay in four instalments, due at the end of September and November 2020, and February and May 2021. Direct debit is available or notices are received for each instalment with a range of payment options.

3. Pay in 10 monthly direct debit payments, due on the 15th of the month from September 2020 to June 2021.

To sign up for the monthly payments or direct debit for the instalment program, please contact Council’s Rates Team at 5220 7111.

If your Rates Notice has a red box with arrears carried forward on the front page, this overdue amount is due immediately. If you have any concerns about this payment, please call the Rates Team at 5220 7111.

This year, Council has confirmed a package of financial relief options, including a COVID-19 Financial Hardship Policy, to support residents and ratepayers with payments. If you are experiencing financial difficulty, please call Council’s Rates team at 5220 7111 for a confidential conversation.

If you disagree with information on your Rates Notice, Council’s Rates Team will review your situation and work to find a solution. If the issue cannot be resolved, you have the right to appeal and the appeal process is detailed on the back of the notice.

For more information or any questions about rates, please call Council’s Rates Team at 5220 7111.

Animal Registrations Thank you to all the Golden Plains Shire residents who renewed their 2020 pet registrations in April. If you missed registration and your renewal is outstanding, now is the time to get your pet registered.

The 2020 animal registration renewal notices were sent out in March, and under Victorian Government legislation, all pets must be registered every year by 10 April. This year, under Council’s Financial Hardship Policy in response to COVID-19, penalties for late payments have been waived until 30 September, 2020.

Council now offers payment plans for animal registrations via BPAY. If you would like to sign up for the 2020 payment plan, have any questions about paying your animal registration notice, or would like a new copy of your animal registration renewal notice, please call Council’s Customer Service team at 5220 7111.

To find out more about animal registrations in Golden Plains Shire, visit goldenplains.vic.gov.au/residents/my-home/animals/pet-registration.

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