Golden Plains Shire Gazette - Issue 1, 2022

Gazette

ISSUE 1, 2022

3

Coffee and Conversation with your Councillors

5

Grants for Local Community Groups

10

Spring in the Shire Photography Winners

COUNCIL NEWS

From the Mayor Happy new year to all residents of Golden Plains Shire.

We hope people will stop by for a chat with their Councillors this month in Smythesdale, Haddon, Ross Creek, Scarsdale, Cape Clear, Berringa, Meredith, Teesdale, Inverleigh and Lethbridge. Full details on page 3.

On behalf of the Councillors, we hope you enjoyed a relaxing holiday break. The latest COVID-19 developments have given us all a challenging start to 2022 and we encourage everyone to stay safe as we look forward to a positive and productive year ahead.

Following on from engagement on the Rating Strategy in December, Council will also present Budget 2022/23 workshops in February. A new initiative in response to resident requests, all are welcome to attend the financial presentation and ask questions or complete the community survey, which will inform the development of the Draft Council Budget 2022/23. For more info, see page 4.

At Council, we’ve hit the ground running with a busy start to 2022. Our Councillor Engagement program kicks off with the return of the popular Councillor Conversation Posts and Coffee with your Councillor events in February.

Finally, congratulations to all the nominees of the Golden Plains Shire Council Community Awards 2021. A very worthy list of exceptional local residents was celebrated in the categories of Citizen of the Year, Senior and Young Citizens of the Year, and Community Impact Award. Enjoy reading about these impressive individuals on page 9.

Cr Gavin Gamble – Mayor of Golden Plains Shire Council

Council Meetings 2022 Residents and members of the public are welcome to attend meetings of Golden Plains Shire Council in 2022.

This year, Council Meetings will be held on the following Tuesdays, starting at 6pm: 22 February, 22 March, 26 April, 24 May, 28 June, 26 July, 23 August, 27 September, 25 October, 22 November and 20 December.

There will also be a Council Meeting (Budget Submissions) on 7 June and a Council Meeting (Mayoral Election) on 15 November.

In 2022, Council Meetings will be held at the Golden Plains Civic Centre, 2 Pope Street, Bannockburn; The Well, 19 Heales Street, Smythesdale; and Linton Shire Hall, 68 Sussex Street, Linton. However, due to the

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ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and in line with Council’s COVIDSafe Plan, the meeting in February will be virtual.

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, with a recording available on Council’s website following the meeting.

Any person can ask a maximum of two questions of Council during a 30-minute Question Time and all questions must be lodged by 10am on the day of the meeting by email, Council’s website or hand-delivered to Council offices. To lodge a question, visit goldenplains.vic.gov.au/meetings.

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.

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

Engage with your Councillors

Following the success of the Councillor Engagement program last year, Council confirmed its commitment to engagement in 2022 at its December 2021 meeting.

Council is dedicated to genuine, open engagement with residents and ratepayers on the decisions that impact their lives and their communities. With its Community Engagement Policy, Council’s commitment to meaningful consultation is embedded in the development of Council’s strategies, plans and projects and all community engagement is presented to Council in reports seeking decisions on the relevant activities.

In addition to the extensive community engagement coordinated by the organisation, the Councillor Engagement Program ensures open lines of communication with residents and the opportunity to hear ideas, views and concerns directly from community members.

Come and have a chat with your Golden Plains Shire Councillors at the following events:

Councillor Conversation Posts - In-Person

Coffee with your Councillors A new initiative of 2021, Councillors will return to host the popular Coffee with your Councillor sessions in small townships in the Shire. The Council Budget 2022/23 Engagement will be a topic of discussion (see page 4).

On Saturday 19 February, drop-in for an informal one-on-one chat with Councillors at the following locations: 9 to 10.30am: • Haddon General Store, 49 Racecourse Road, Haddon • Cape Clear General Store, 1479 Scarsdale-Pitfield Road, Cape Clear • Lethbridge General Store, 1 Russell Street, Lethbridge 11am to 12.30pm: • Ross Creek General Store, 649 SebastopolSmythesdale Road, Ross Creek • Berringa Op Shop, 20 Berringa Road, Berringa • Teesdale General Store, 1071 Bannockburn-Shelford Road, Teesdale 1.30 to 3pm: • Scarsdale General Store, 2069 Glenelg Highway, Scarsdale • Back Creek Café, 1/27 Staughton Street, Meredith • Sonny Café, 15 High Street, Inverleigh

On Sunday 6 February, 10am to 2pm, Councillors return to the Smythesdale Arts and Music Fiesta on the Smythesdale Green to talk to residents of the north of the Shire. The Council Budget 2022/23 Engagement will be a topic of discussion (see page 4).

On Saturday 7 May, join Councillors to talk about the Draft Council Budget 2022/23 and other subjects at the Golden Plains Farmers’ Market, from 8.30am to 12.30pm, at the corner of High and Milton Streets in Bannockburn.

Councillor Conversation Posts – Online A new initiative in 2021, feedback from community members who came to these virtual sessions last year was positive, focused on the ability to log in from anywhere in the Shire and speak directly with their elected Councillors.

In 2022, Councillors will present two online conversation forums on Zoom in July and October 2022.

Community Group Meetings Councillors have a long history of attending local community meetings to hear about their initiatives and meet the members of these valuable groups. Last year, the Connecting Councillors and Community Groups program welcomed expressions of interest from local community groups and associations to host Golden Plains Shire Councillors at a meeting of their group in 2021.

As part of this year’s Councillor Engagement Program, Councillors resolved to invite community groups to write and request Councillors attend a meeting of their group in 2022.

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COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

CUSTOMER

SERVICE

COUNCIL BUDGET 2022/23

2022-2026

HAVE YOUR SAY

STRATEGY

Engagement

HAVE yOUR SAY As part of the Council Plan 2021-2025, Council is dedicated to improving customer experiences with the development of its Customer Service Strategy 2022-2026.

With a focus on commitment and accountability to service standards and improving timely responses, the Strategy will detail Council’s dedication to delivering exceptional customer service across the organisation.

To help shape the Draft Customer Service Strategy 2022-2026, Council is eager to hear from customers about their recent service experiences. We’re excited to hear what you think Council is doing well, what can be improved, and how you want to engage with us in the future.

Council will conduct post-interaction surveys with customers and all residents are encouraged to complete the Customer Service Strategy Survey. The survey is available at Council’s website: goldenplains.vic.gov.au/ consultations. Customers can also collect a hard-copy survey from a Council Customer Service Centre, 2 Pope Street, Bannockburn or The Well, 19 Heales Street, Smythesdale.

Council is seeking input on community priorities during the preparation of its Draft Council Budget 2022/23.

The Council Budget 2022/23 will deliver on Council’s commitment to services, projects and programs over the next financial year, under the guidance of the Council Plan 2021-2025, Golden Plains Shire Community Vision 2040 and Long-Term Financial Plan 2021/22-2030/31.

In the early stages of budget preparation, Council will present two community workshops: • 7 to 9pm, Tuesday 8 February: Golden Plains Civic Centre, 2 Pope Street, Bannockburn and livestreamed on YouTube • 7 to 9pm, Thursday 10 February: The Well, 19 Heales Street, Smythesdale Both workshops will include a presentation on the 2022/23 financial plan and the 2022/23 commitments of the Council Plan 2021-2025, as well as a Q&A session.

The completed survey can be submitted by:

All residents are encouraged to complete the Council Budget 2022/23 Survey. The survey is available at Council’s website: goldenplains.vic.gov.au/consultations.

Community members can also collect a hard-copy survey from a Council Customer Service Centre, 2 Pope Street, Bannockburn or The Well, 19 Heales Street, Smythesdale.

• Email to enquiries@gplains.vic.gov.au;

The completed survey can be submitted by:

• Mail to Golden Plains Shire Council, PO Box 111, Bannockburn, VIC, 3331, marked ‘Attention: Customer Service Strategy Survey’; or

• Email to enquiries@gplains.vic.gov.au;

• Hand-delivery at a Council Customer Service Centre.

The Customer Service Strategy Survey closes at 5pm, Monday 14 February, 2022.

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• Mail to Golden Plains Shire Council, PO Box 111, Bannockburn, VIC, 3331, marked ‘Attention: Council Budget 2022/23 Survey’; or • Hand-delivery at a Council Customer Service Centre.

The Council Budget 2022/23 Survey closes at 5pm, Wednesday 23 February, 2022.

COMMUNITY NEWS

Grants for Golden Plains Communities Fifteen Golden Plains Shire community groups were awarded Community Strengthening Grants in Round Two of Council’s 2021 program.

Council granted a total of $74,991 to the successful groups to deliver 16 projects across 3 categories: Healthy Active Living, Creative Community, and Environment and Sustainability.

Council’s contribution will support projects to a value of $149,982 in local communities across Golden Plains Shire, with an estimated 762 volunteers engaged in these great initiatives.

Environment and Sustainability Grants Moorabool Catchment Landcare Group Geelong Landcare Network Inc

Agricultural and Environmental Managers Demonstration Day Project Building community capacity for environmental action in the Bannockburn/Bruce’s Creek Area

$607.72 $5,000

Healthy Active Living Grants Teesdale Mechanics Institute Committee of Management

Here’s Looking At You

$5,850

Sutherlands Creek Tennis Club

Sutherlands Creek Tennis Club Foundation Stone and Outdoor Area Enhancement Project

$5,900

Smythesdale Petanque Club

Lighting for Woady Yaloak Recreation Reserve Building

$2,000

Woady Yaloak Athletic Club

Haddon User Group Storage Shed

Turtle Bend Committee of Management

Turtle Bend Lantern Parade Workshop

Bannockburn Golf Club

New Trencher to install Grass on the Greens

Teesdale Cricket Club

Point of Sale System

$2,796

Rokewood and Corindhap Football and Netball Club

Goal Safety Netting

$10,000

Dolphins Basketball Club

Training equipment and storage

$4,211.10

Bannockburn Cricket Club

BCC Women’s Team Equipment

$3,500

Woady Yaloak Historical Group

Replacement of the War Memorial Sign at Ross Creek Avenue of Honour

Volunteering Geelong

Building Stronger Volunteer Community Advocates

$3,850

Haddon Community Learning Centre Inc

Haddon CLC Recording Studio

$5,000

Turtle Bend Committee of Management

Turtle Bend Bridge Path

$8,000

$10,000 $2,130 $5,772.50

$374

Creative Community Grants

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COMMUNITY NEWS

Slate Quarry Road Bridge The new Slate Quarry Road Bridge over the Moorabool River in Meredith is providing better access for heavy vehicles and emergency services and safer travel for all vehicles.

Final construction works were completed late last year to replace the old load-limited bridge with a new wider bridge without load restrictions. Works also included new guardrails and improvements to the road approaches and drainage.

The new bridge eliminates a 20km detour for the estimated 25 heavy vehicles per day that travel through the local road network and provides emergency services better access for response vehicles. It takes pressure off the surrounding road network, with better access to a key link between the Midland Highway and Geelong-Ballan Road.

The $2.3 million bridge replacement project was jointly funded by $1.5 million from Golden Plains Shire Council and $1.5 million from the Australian Government’s Bridges Renewal Program.

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Golden Plains Transport Connections Study New Transport Study for Shire The Golden Plains Transport Connections Study will help identify current and future transport needs in the Shire.

Council has received $41,420 from the Victorian Government to conduct a transport connections study, which will investigate transport needs and determine Council’s future approaches to advocating for improved options. Council will also contribute $10,000 and $31,574 in-kind to deliver the study.

The study will be undertaken in the first half of 2022, and will include research, data collection and engagement with stakeholders to report on the existing and potential transport services, user demographics, journey purpose, costs, key barriers and service promotion.

The study follows the recent Golden Plains Community Bus Trial, which ran from July to December 2021 in the north and south of the Shire. The data and feedback from service users and residents will inform the Golden Plains Transport Connections Study.

COMMUNITY NEWS

NEW GUARDRAILS IN GOLDEN PLAINS Throughout 2021, new guardrails were installed across the Shire to help keep drivers safe on Golden Plains roads.

Council received $200,000 from Round Two of the Australian Government’s Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Fund to complete the works in 13 locations, which saw the installation of new guardrails alongside the repair and replacement of damaged and non-compliant guardrails.

New guardrails were installed on Ross Creek-Haddon Road in Haddon, State Forest Road in Ross Creek, Linton-Piggoreet Road in Piggoreet, Denison Street in Linton, and at two locations on Meredith-Mt Mercer Road in Meredith.

Paddys Gully Road Bridge Drivers through Rokewood Junction now have full access to the Mount Misery Creek crossing, following the replacement of Paddys Gully Road Bridge.

Non-compliant guardrails were replaced in Rokewood at three locations on Wurrook Road and one location on Gilletts Road. While repair works were also completed on damaged guardrails on Racecourse Road in Haddon and in two locations on Teesdale-Inverleigh Road in Inverleigh.

The new two-lane reinforced concrete bridge in Rokewood Junction reopened for traffic in December, following three months of construction to replace the ageing single span timber bridge.

The old bridge was limited to 10 tonnes and was in poor condition, necessitating the upgrade which now allows light and heavy vehicles full access to the crossing.

The $580,536 bridge upgrade was a partnership project between Council and the Australian Government, with $261,856 from Council’s 2021/22 Budget and $318,680 from the second round of the Australian Government’s Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program.

The Paddys Gully Road Bridge upgrade was one of four bridge upgrades completed in 2021 as part of Council’s Bridge Replacement Program, creating safer bridges to better serve the community.

Join the COMMUNITY Engagement Register

Join the Community Engagement Register to receive Engage, Council’s monthly engagement e-newsletter.

Golden Plains

Complete the simple web form at goldenplains.vic.gov.au/ community-engagement-register Email communityengagement@gplains.vic.gov.au

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COMMUNITY NEWS

A new playground for Enfield The new playground at Enfield’s Harrison Reserve is open and ready for play!

In 2021, Council’s Playground Upgrade Program delivered upgrades to five playgrounds across Golden Plains Shire, with work completed in December on the playground at Harrisons Reserve, Enfield.

The replacement of the existing facility with the brand-new playground was designed to appeal to children of a range of ages and includes a bird nest swing set, slide, rock-climbing element, monkey bars and dynamic climbing features.

The $250,000 playground replacement project was fully funded by the second round of the Australian Government’s Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program and delivered by Council. This follows $240,455 received by Council in Round One of the program to upgrade playgrounds in Garibaldi, Dereel, Haddon and Linton. In addition, Council funded the upgrade of the Rokewood playground in 2021.

The playground at Linton Recreation Reserve is next on the upgrade list, with works planned to commence in early 2022.

Teesdale Flood Study FUNDED Golden Plains Shire Council will undertake a new flood study of the Teesdale area.

The new study will be undertaken in 2022 and early 2023 and will determine the potential impacts of riverine flooding in Teesdale from Native Hut Creek and its tributaries. This will update the current flood mapping for the township which the Corangamite Catchment Management Authority (CCMA) has identified requires updating and will include tributaries which had previously been left out.

When completed, the Teesdale Flood Study will be used to update the flood overlay mapping in the Golden Plains Shire Planning Scheme.

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The Teesdale Flood Study is supported by the Victorian Government, with $92,700 from the Risk and Resilience Grants Program. Additionally, the project includes $70,000 funding provided by the Australian Government in partnership with the States and Territories under the National Partnership Agreement for Disaster Risk Reduction.

In addition to funding from the Victorian and Australian Governments, Council is pleased to have support from the CCMA and SES for the flood study.

As part of the study, Council will work with the Wadawurrung Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation to identify artefacts and cultural sites around Native Hut Creek to better understand how to protect these areas from flooding.

COMMUNITY NEWS On behalf of Council and the Golden Plains community, congratulations to the worthy nominees of the Golden Plains Shire Council Community Awards 2021.

The Golden Plains Shire Council (GPSC) Community Awards are an opportunity to formally acknowledge extraordinary individuals and community groups who make an outstanding contribution to Golden Plains Shire. This year, an impressive field of local residents and community groups were nominated for awards in four categories.

Citizen of the Year Congratulations to the five nominees for the GPSC Citizen of the Year 2021: • • • • •

Kath Bourke of Bannockburn Stuart McCallum of Bannockburn Rob McHenry of Inverleigh Jo Sibbison of Rokewood Barry Wemyss of Smythesdale

Senior Citizen of the Year Congratulations to the five nominees for the GPSC Senior Citizen of the Year 2021: • • • • •

Joan Coker of Haddon Ruth Georgalis of Dereel Stuart McCallum of Bannockburn Peter Trevaskis of Inverleigh Barry Wemyss of Smythesdale

For more information on the Awards and profiles of the 2021 nominees and winners, visit goldenplains.vic.gov.au

Gazette

Young Citizen of the Year Congratulations to the five nominees for the GPSC Young Citizen of the Year 2021: • • • • •

Tarni Crocker of Teesdale Rachel Kaiser of Maude Georgia Kitchen of Teesdale Alisha Nurnaitis of Bannockburn Bridie Orr of Inverleigh

Community Impact Award Congratulations to the five nominees for the GPSC Community Impact Award 2021: • Advance Meredith Association • Bannockburn Inclusive Disabled and Seniors Group (All Inclusive Coffee Catch-Ups) • Meredith History Interest Group • Rokewood/Corindhap Community Planning Group • Woady Yaloak Historical Society Thank you to all the recipients and nominees, as well as the community members who submitted nominations this year.

At the time of publication, the award-winners had not been announced, with the award presentation scheduled on Tuesday 25 January. Following the announcement, the recipients will be published on Council’s website and will be featured in the 3 February edition of the Golden Plains Times. The award-winners will also be profiled in the next issue of the Gazette.

Sign-up to receive Council’s eGazette email newsletter, published in between editions of the Gazette community magazine.

To receive the next edition of the eGazette: Complete the simple web form at goldenplains.vic.gov.au/egazette Email communityengagement@gplains.vic.gov.au

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COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT Left to Right - Junior Prize Winner Lucy Blersch, Young Adult Prize Winner Holly Draffin, Mayor Cr Gavin Gamble, Young Adult Highly Commended Amelie Strahan and Major Prize Winner Lyn Steele

The winners of the 2021 Spring in the Shire photography competition were announced on Thursday 16 December at the fifth annual Golden Plains Twilight Market.

The Spring in the Shire photography competition is an opportunity for photographers from across the Shire to showcase their talents by capturing the beautiful surrounds and vibrant communities of Golden Plains.

This year’s competition theme was ‘What we share’, and photographers of any skill level were encouraged to capture this theme through their lens. The competition ran from Monday 13 September to Sunday 31 October, 2021, with entries judged on impact, subject matter and storytelling. From the more than 70 entries in this year’s competition, 30 images were shortlisted and displayed in a public exhibition at the Bannockburn Cultural Centre in December and January.

Judges chose the three winning entries from the shortlist of 30, with an additional 4 entries recognised as highly commended. The Major and Young Adult prize-winners received $300 and the Junior Prize winner was awarded $200. Council partnered with Stockdale & Leggo Bannockburn and Healthsave Pharmacy Bannockburn to offer these great prizes.

Lyn Steele, Bannockburn – ‘Wing Attack’

This year’s winners and highly commended recipients were:

Major Prize (18 years and older) Winner: Lyn Steele, Bannockburn – ‘Wing Attack’ Highly Commended: • Barry Feldman, Geelong – ‘Solitary Sentinel’ • Lisa Carpenter, Scarsdale – ‘To get the rainbow you need a little rain’

Young Adult Prize (13 to 17 years) Winner: Holly Draffin, Linton – ‘Love’ Highly Commended: Amelie Strahan, Dereel – ‘Baby goats in the Spring sunshine’

Junior Prize (up to 12 years) Winner: Lucy Blersch, Inverleigh – ‘Early morning fish on the Leigh River’ Highly Commended: Ruby Bennion, Bannockburn – ‘Bannockburn Heart’

Lucy Blersch, Inverleigh – ‘Early morning fish on the Leigh River’

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Holly Draffin, Linton – ‘Love’

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

Sharing your ideas for Golden Plains Shire Over the past few months, Council has consulted the community on several important plans, strategies and projects.

Events are back in Golden Plains Following a year with many disrupted and cancelled events, it’s exciting to see events returning in Golden Plains in 2022.

What’s On: February and March Following community feedback, Council recently adopted its Rabbit Management Strategy and Action Plan 2021-2031, Domestic Animal Management Plan, Teesdale Structure Plan, and Arts, Culture and Heritage Strategy 2022-2026.

Community members also had their say on the Northern Streetscapes Project concept designs, Inverleigh Tree Succession Plan, Rating Strategy Propositions Paper and Best Value Review of Aged and Disability Services.

Thank you to all community members who shared their ideas and views during these consultations.

If you want to have your say, sign-up for Council’s Engage e-newsletter or keep informed about Council consultations at goldenplains.vic.gov.au/consultations.

New Cambrian Hill Bore

Smythesdale Arts and Music Fiesta – 10am to 3pm, Sunday 6 February at The Well, 19 Heales Street, Smythesdale and the Smythesdale Town Green Inverleigh Dachshund Derby – 10am to 3pm, Sunday 6 March at the Inverleigh Sporting Complex, 10 Railway Street, Inverleigh.

Golden Plains Farmers’ Market – From 8.30am to 12.30pm on the first Saturday of the month at the Bannockburn Heart, corner of Milton and High Streets, Bannockburn.

Love to support local events?

Visit Council’s events calendar to plan a great weekend out and about in Golden Plains: goldenplains.vic.gov.au/events; or follow Golden Plains Shire Council on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Instagram for what’s on in the Shire.

If you’d like to advertise your community event for free on Council’s event calendar, visit: goldenplains.vic.gov.au/forms/event-registration.

A new and improved bore at Heinzs Road, Cambrian Hill is now in operation.

In September 2020, Council closed the old bore, stand and tank on the site due to safety concerns. During community consultation following the old bores removal, Council received 75 responses from community members in Cambrian Hill, Ross Creek and Napoleons, with a strong preference for the bore to be replaced.

Following this feedback, Council committed to the replacement of the bore in the Council Budget 2021/22 and fully funded the works at a cost of $48,208. Works to remove the old bore and install a new pump, tank, fencing and underground drainage were completed last year, and the new bore was commissioned in December 2021, prior to the start of the Fire Danger Period in Golden Plains Shire.

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COMMUNITY NOTICEBOARD

Rates Payment Customer Service 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.

Council’s Customer Service Centres and offices will be closed for the Labour Day Public Holiday on Monday 14 March, 2022.

COVER: Following the success of last year’s Councillor Engagement program, Golden Plains Shire Councillors will host Councillor Conversation Posts and Coffee with the Councillor events in 10 towns in February 2022.

All Golden Plains Shire ratepayers received their 2021-22 Rates Notices in the mail in August 2021.

Thank you to all the ratepayers who have signed up to the monthly payment programs, with those payments due on the 15th of the month through to June 2022.

For residents who signed up to pay their rates by instalments, the third payment is due on 28 February 2022.

The full payment of the Rates Notice is due on 15 February 2022, with reminder notices sent in January 2022 to those who have not signed up for the monthly or instalment payment options.

To apply for Council’s COVID-19 Financial Hardship Policy or discuss your rates payment, please call our Rates team for a confidential conversation at 5220 7111.

Need Help Tackling Rabbits?

Council recently adopted its Rabbit Management Strategy 2021-2031 and Rabbit Management Action Plan 2021-2031, reflecting its commitment to supporting rabbit management in the Shire.

Two local Landcare groups are running rabbit baiting programs in February to assist farmers and residential landowners to control rabbits.

The annual community led rabbit baiting program run by the Batesford, Fyansford, Stonehaven Landcare group is now taking orders for February 2022. To join the program, contact Felicity Spear, BFS Landcare Secretary, on 0402 429 444 or email geelonglandcarenetwork@gmail.com.

Residents in the Maude area are encouraged to participate in the annual Maude and District Landcare rabbit baiting program in February to help to reduce rabbit numbers. To find out more and participate, contact maudeanddistrictlandcare@gmail.com.

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The Victorian Rabbit Action Network (VRAN) connects community, industry and government to implement best practice rabbit management that enhances and protects sustainable agriculture and the environment and secures cultural heritage and community assets. For online resources including video on rabbit management, visit vram.com.au Got questions on rabbit management in Golden Plains Shire? Call Council at 5220 7111 and speak with Council’s Natural Resource Officer.