Golden Plains Shire Council Gazette - Issue 4, 2021

Gazette

ISSUE 4, 2021

3

Construction starts on Golden Plains Youth Hub

4

$7 million investment in Golden Plains Shire

9

Money for Community Groups

COUNCIL NEWS

From the Mayor Advocacy is a key priority of Council and over the past few months we’ve had several valuable funding announcements for Golden Plains Shire.

The Federal Government’s Budget 2021/22 includes $2.6 million for Golden Plains in Phase 3 of the Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program (page 4). In total, the fund has delivered more than $5 million for local communities and has been invested in projects across the Shire.

The Victorian Government announced it will invest $450,000 in the playground upgrade and active recreation project at Ross Creek and $420,000 for the Meredith Skate Park upgrade and BMX trails. In addition, the State Government and private sector will fund the new $3.1 stormwater infrastructure project to open up Stage 2 of the Bannockburn Industrial Estate (page 4).

These announcements were all made within weeks, yet they were the culmination of months and years of Council sharing the stories of Golden Plains Shire with State and Federal Governments. Even if your town is not on this list, every community benefits from every dollar Council secures, as it allows us to put Council’s Budget into unfunded projects in our smaller towns. We can also deliver valuable funding directly to local groups through important programs such as the Community Strengthening Grants (page 9).

In 2021, Council is also proud to be building a record number of local projects – new bridges, widening roads, upgraded playgrounds, new youth facilities, better skate parks, new lights and irrigation on sporting fields. In this Gazette, we celebrate the opening of two new bridges in Rokewood, new lights at Victoria Park and the start of construction on the Golden Plains Youth Hub (page 3 and 7).

It’s a great time to live in Golden Plains and we look forward to celebrating many more community project milestones in 2021.

Cr Helena Kirby – Mayor of Golden Plains Shire Council

The Council Plan 2021-2025 (the Plan) details the priority initiatives and actions for Council services, infrastructure and advocacy to be provided to the Golden Plains Shire community over the next four years.

The Plan directly addresses and aligns with the Themes of the Golden Plains Community Vision 2040: Community, Liveability, Sustainability and Prosperity; with the additional theme of Leadership added to represent the Councilspecific regulatory, governance, leadership and advocacy activities required to achieve outcomes for the community.

With the overarching direction of the Vision, the Plan details Council’s commitment over the next four years to support the achievement of the community’s 20-year strategic plan for Golden Plains.

The Plan has been developed in accordance with the Strategic Planning Principles of the Local Government Act 2020, and details 21 Strategic Objectives, with 83 key actions for delivery during the Council term.

At its June Meeting, Council adopted the Council Plan 2021-2025.

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Council’s Municipal Public Health and Wellbeing Plan, required under the Public Health and Wellbeing Act 2008, has been incorporated into the Plan and reflects the important role Council has in supporting the health and wellbeing of all people living in the Golden Plains.

To read the Council Plan 2021-2025, visit goldenplains.vic.gov.au and search Council Plan, or view a copy at Council’s Customer Service Centres, 2 Pope Street, Bannockburn and The Well, 19 Heales Street, Smythesdale.

COUNCIL NEWS

Breaking Ground for Local Youth Construction on the Golden Plains Youth Hub has officially started.

On Friday 18 June, the milestone was celebrated at a sod-turning event with Member for Western Victoria Gayle Tierney MP, Senator for Victoria Sarah Henderson, Golden Plains Shire Mayor Cr Helena Kirby and Bannockburn & District Grants Chair Brett Cunningham.

Students of neighbouring Bannockburn P-12 College including school captain Bridie Orr, Principal George Porter and Deputy Principal Robyn Anderson also attended.

The Golden Plains Youth Hub will be a vibrant facility that will provide inclusive, innovative and accessible programs

and services for young people in Golden Plains. Located opposite the Shire’s only high school, Bannockburn P-12 College, the Youth Hub will support improved health, social, education and employability outcomes, and provide stronger connections between the local community and services young people need.

The $562,000 project to transform the former portable office building into the new Youth Hub will be delivered with $271,032 from the Victorian Government’s Growing Suburbs Fund, $100,000 for the Australian Government’s Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program, $100,000 from Bannockburn and District Grants, and Council’s $90,720 in-kind contribution of the portable building.

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COUNCIL NEWS

Success for Golden Plains Shire In May, Golden Plains Shire Council welcomed five significant funding announcements from the Australian and Victorian Governments and the private sector. This investment will deliver more than $7 million in projects in Golden Plains Shire - the result of successful advocacy and partnerships with Council to benefit the people of Golden Plains.

Meredith BMX and Skate Park Upgrade

Stormwater Infrastructure Project

On 24 May, Mayor Cr Helena Kirby joined Member for Buninyong Michaela Settle MP on a sunny day at the Meredith Skate Park for an exciting announcement: $420,000 from the Victorian Government to fund new BMX trails, and upgrade of the skate park and play space.

On 14 May, Minister for Regional Development Mary-Anne Thomas announced a new stormwater infrastructure project at the Bannockburn Industrial Estate, joined by Mayor Cr Helena Kirby.

The project will activate the Meredith Recreation Reserve with safe and compliant active recreation and play facilities, improving recreational opportunities for young people and their families in Meredith.

The idea for the upgrade project is credited to two young residents of Meredith, 12-year-olds Harley Murfitt and Max Love, who wanted to see improvements at their local skate park and took their idea to Meredith Primary School Principal Stephen Trotter and Leading Senior Constable Craig Malthouse.

Their upgraded skate park design was presented to Council, who awarded Harley and Max with Mayoral Youth Awards last year, and advocated to the Victorian Government to make a commitment to the project.

Council has allocated $50,000 in its Budget 2021/22 to complete the detailed design of the project, with the Victorian Government’s contribution to deliver construction of the upgrade.

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The $3.1 million project will be funded by a $2 million grant from the Victorian Government’s Regional Infrastructure Fund, with $1.1 million investment by the landowner, Josco Pty Ltd. Currently, the Bannockburn Industrial Estate on Holder Road is home to local businesses in 35 lots across 12 hectares including a gym and self-storage units. Land in the light industrial precinct is in demand however expansion is not possible at present, due to the lack of drainage infrastructure to service the adjoining land.

The newly-announced project will deliver the construction of a retarding basin and pipe network to manage the stormwater on the surrounding parcels owned by Josco Pty Ltd, unlocking an additional 21.7 hectares of adjoining land for the next stage of the Bannockburn Industrial Estate.

This key infrastructure project will support the local economy and create new jobs.

Works on the stormwater infrastructure project are scheduled to be completed in 2022.

COUNCIL NEWS

Ross Creek Play and Active Rec Upgrade On 7 May, Mayor Cr Helena Kirby joined Michaela Settle MP, Member for Buninyong, to announce funding for the Ross Creek Play and Active Rec Upgrade.

The project will deliver a new playground, fitness equipment for adults, new barbeque and picnic facilities, and expanded walking trails at Ross Creek Recreation Reserve.

The announcement was made to an excited group of Woady Yaloak Primary School - Ross Creek campus students and local representatives from the Ross Creek/Smythes Creek Community Group and Ross Creek Recreation Reserve Committee.

The Ross Creek Play and Active Rec Upgrade is funded by $450,000 from the Victorian Government’s Growing Suburbs Fund and $100,000 from Council. This is the second round of Growing Suburbs Fund support for Golden Plains Shire, following Council’s admission to the program after significant lobbying efforts and last year’s commitment to the Golden Plains Youth Hub.

Lethbridge Station Building On 13 May, Member for Buninyong Michaela Settle MP joined Mayor Cr Helena Kirby, representatives from VicTrack and members from the Lethbridge Community Group for the announcement that the Lethbridge Station Building was one of 10 stations across Victoria to be restored under the Victorian Government’s $9 million Community Use of Vacant Rail Buildings Program.

A project that was many years in the making, VicTrack will fully restore the 1862 bluestone structure and the interior of the building so it can be opened to the community as a multi-purpose community arts and cultural hub. VicTrack will work with an expert heritage architect to ensure the restoration is sympathetic to the heritage values of the building.

With the Victorian Government funding secured for the building’s refurbishment, Council will take on the head lease of the building from VicTrack following the restoration work, and sub-lease the building to the Lethbridge Community Group.

Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Golden Plains Shire Council has welcomed more than $2.6 million for local roads and community infrastructure in the Federal Government’s Budget 2021/22.

The funding of $2,667,310 for Golden Plains Shire is part of Phase 3 of the Federal Government’s Local Roads and Community Infrastructure (LRCI) Program. As with Phase 1 and 2 of the LRCI Program, Council will identify local projects meeting the funding requirements and submit the list to the Federal Government for approval.

In Phase 1 of the LRCI Program, Council received $1,333,655 and has completed the replacement of Reserve Road Bridge in Rokewood, Maude Recreation Reserve/Lookout water supply upgrade, and playground upgrades in Dereel and Haddon.

The following Phase 1 LRCI projects are underway in Golden Plains Shire: playground upgrades in Linton and Garibaldi, Bannockburn Bowls upgrade, Golden Plains Youth Hub, Inverleigh Sporting Complex Female Friendly Change Rooms and Bannockburn Skate Park upgrade.

In Phase 2 of the LRCI Program, Council received $1,512,680 and allocated the funding to the following projects: Enfield Playground upgrade; Buninyong–Mt Mercer/Hardies Hill Road, Garibaldi intersection upgrade; Derwent Jacks Road/Snow Gum Road/Reef Road/Chromes Road, Berringa intersection upgrade; Paddys Gully Road Bridge Replacement, Rokewood Junction; Bannockburn Skate Park upgrade; Lethbridge Cricket Net upgrade; and guardrail replacements on roads in Rokewood, Happy Valley, Werneth, Haddon, Meredith, Inverleigh, Linton and Piggoreet.

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COUNCIL NEWS

Golden Plains Shire Council Budget 2021-2022 At its June Meeting, Council adopted the Council Budget 2021-2022.

Key Features of Council Budget 2021-2022 • $47.3 million to deliver more than 70 services to the Golden Plains community • $18.2 million investment in capital works • $2.2 million for active ageing and inclusion services • $1 million for resealing local roads • $700,000 for gravel re-sheeting of local roads • $700,000 for improvements to local roads • $250,000 for kerb and channel projects • $50,000 to continue COVID-19 Financial Hardship Policy

What’s New in Council Budget 2021-2022

golden plains shire co

BUDGE2T2

The Rates Cap 1.5% in 2021-2022, down from 2% rate cap in 2020-2021

2021-20

Municipal Charge $310.60 per household in 2021-2022, increase of $4.60 (1.5%) from 2020-2021 Waste Management Charge $379 per household in 2021-2022.

The additional funds will be allocated as follows: • $20 per household for the State Government Waste Levy Increase (deferred from 2020-2021 due to COVID pandemic); • $10 per household for increase in recycling costs; • $14 per household for landfill rehabilitation of the former Rokewood and former Teesdale landfill sites.

Public Holiday: Melbourne Cup

uncil

To read the Council Budget 2021-2022, visit goldenplains.vic.gov.au/budget, or view a copy at Council’s Customer Service Centres, 2 Pope Street, Bannockburn and The Well, 19 Heales Street, Smythesdale.

At its May meeting, Council resolved that Golden Plains Shire observe Melbourne Cup Day as a public holiday for the next four years.

This is a change from the previous arrangement of the north of the Shire observing Ballarat Show Day and the south of the Shire taking Geelong Show Day as public holidays.

Council’s decision followed public consultation undertaken from 24 February to 18 April, with submissions from 95 community members favouring Melbourne Cup Day, as observed in most Victorian municipalities. In 2021, the shire-wide public holiday is on Tuesday 2 November.

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COMMUNITY NEWS

Official Opening: Victoria Park Lights In April, Senator for Victoria Sarah Henderson officially opened the Victoria Park Recreation Reserve Sports Lighting Project in Bannockburn, joined by Golden Plains Shire Mayor Cr Helena Kirby, Bannockburn Football Netball Club President Scott Penning and Golden Plains Shire Councillors.

The official opening took place at half-time of the Bannockburn Tigers senior’s football game, before an appreciative local crowd of supporters who had paid their respects at the ANZAC Day commemoration prior to the match.

The new lighting on both ovals meets the AFL standard for community football and surpasses the minimum requirements for local football training and matches.

At Victoria Park, the lighting upgrade complements the redeveloped cricket training facility and the new netball and multi-sport courts at the Reserve that were opened in 2019.

The lighting upgrade was completed last year, however due to COVID-19 restrictions, this is the first season that the Bannockburn Football and Netball Club has enjoyed training and playing night matches under the new lights. The lighting project was fully funded by the Australian Government’s Community Sports Infrastructure Grant Program.

Two New Bridges for Rokewood

Two new bridges spanning the Kuruc A Ruc Creek in Rokewood have improved safety for residents and visitors: Reserve Road Bridge and Geggies Road Bridge.

The Reserve Road Bridge replacement project saw the aged, single-lane timber bridge replaced with a new unrestricted, double-lane concrete bridge on an improved road alignment, with upgraded approaches. Safety on the bridge has also been improved through the installation of guardrails.

The $541,374 new Reserve Road Bridge was funded with $508,447 from Round One of the Australian Government’s Local Roads and Community Infrastructure program, and $32,927 from Council.

The Geggies Road Bridge project replaced the old single-lane, load-limited bridge with a two-lane concrete bridge with guardrails. The new bridge has significantly improved safety for local farming and grazing properties, allowing light and heavy vehicles full access to these important work sites. Families in the area who use the local school bus will also benefit from the bridge replacement, with the new bridge to cut out the current 10km daily detour to avoid the old structure.

The $517,800 Geggies Road Bridge project was funded equally by Council and the Australian Government from Round 5 of its Bridges Renewal Program, with the works completed by a Golden Plains-based company.

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COMMUNITY NEWS

Council is pleased to trial the Golden Plains Community Bus, a new shuttle bus service with a weekly run in the south of the Shire on Tuesdays and in the north of the Shire on Thursdays.

A project of Council with sponsorship from the Buninyong & District Community Bank, Golden Plains Shire residents are welcome to ride the bus, which is free during the trial period from 20 July to 8 October 2021.

In the south, the Golden Plains Community Bus service will be provided in Teesdale, Inverleigh, Shelford, Bannockburn and Batesford, travelling to and from Geelong Waterfront every Tuesday. In the north, the bus service will be provided in Linton, Scarsdale and Smythesdale, travelling to and from Delacombe Town Centre and Stockland Wendouree in Ballarat every Thursday.

The bus timetable and maps are available at Council’s website: goldenplains.vic.gov.au and will be published in the Golden Plains Times in July.

Printed copies are also available at the following locations: • Council’s Customer Service Centres, 2 Pope Street, Bannockburn and 19 Heales Street, Smythesdale • Linton Takeaway • Scarsdale General Store • Smythesdale Post Office • Ross Creek General Store • Inverleigh General Store • Teesdale General Store and Post Office • Bannockburn Post Office • Cape Clear Store The Golden Plains Community Bus service will be operated under COVID-19 guidelines and all passengers must wear face masks. There are limited spaces and booking are essential.

For more information or to make a booking, call 5220 7151.

Keep an eye out for the Golden Plains Community Bus travelling around the Shire!

Going Green in Golden Plains

Golden Plain Shire Council recently joined two new environmental initiatives to convert to renewable energy and promote solar and battery systems.

A Renewed Commitment

Solar for the Shire

Council is one of forty-six Victorian Councils to sign on to the Victorian Energy Collaboration (VECO).

The Geelong+ Community Solar Program will support Golden Plains Shire residents and businesses to install solar and battery systems.

The largest ever emissions reduction project by local government in Australia, VECO will provide 25 per cent of all Victorian councils’ electricity requirements with 100 per cent renewables, reducing greenhouse emissions by 260,000 tonnes of CO2 every year.

That’s the equivalent of powering 48,000 homes with renewables or removing the emissions from 90,000 cars every year.

By joining the project, Council will power 100 per cent of its total energy use with renewable energy, including all facilities, streetlights and infrastructure managed by Council.

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Launched in April, the largest community solar and battery bulk-buy program of its kind in Victoria is a region-wide program in the G21 – Geelong Region Alliance area, including Golden Plains Shire.

The purpose of the program is to fast-track renewable energy uptake in the region, to help Victoria achieve its renewable energy target of 50% by 2030. Through leveraging the buying power of the region, the program will give homeowners and businesses access to clean, affordable energy from quality solar and battery systems.

COMMUNITY NEWS

Strengthening Our Communities Twelve Golden Plains community events and projects have been awarded Community Strengthening Grants in Round One of Council’s 2021 program.

Delivering a total of $44,531, the grants will benefit a range of valuable projects in communities across Golden Plains Shire.

Healthy Active Living Grants Linton and District Progress Association

Community Seating and Gardening Group Equipment

$7,024

Inverleigh Cemetery Trust

Seating for Rest and Reflection

$ 2,930

Lethbridge Public Hall

Replacement of Ovens

$2,042

Bannockburn Inclusive

Bus and Ferry trip to Sorrento for people with disabilities and the elderly

$1,600

Golden Plains Trail Riders

Safety Items

$640

Creative Community Grants Smythesdale Arts & Music Community Fiesta

Event Support for the Smythesdale Arts and Music Community Fiesta

$5,795

Meredith History Interest Group

Connecting the Past while looking to the Future

$3,800

Smythesdale Community Planning Group

Music at the Market

$2,300

Environment and Sustainability Grants Inverleigh Progress Association

Open Space Mower Replacement

Inverleigh Primary School Gardening Group

Raised Beds for Edible Garden Project

$1,600

Linton and District Progress Association

Linton Community Safety Plan Connecting Community and Leaders

$6,000

Smythesdale Progress Association

Shower Ventilation Project

$10,000

Community Safety Grants

$800

Apply for a Community Grant Applications for Round Two of this year’s Community Strengthening Grants Program will open on 1 September 2021, and Council will run drop in information sessions in July and August to assist community groups to prepare for their grant application.

All are welcome to attend a Community Strengthening Grants information session to he held: • • • •

5 to 6pm, Tuesday 27 July: The Well, Smythesdale 5 to 6pm, Thursday 29 July: Inverleigh Public Hall, Inverleigh 5 to 6pm, Tuesday 3 August: Haddon Community Learning Centre, Haddon 5 to 6pm, Tuesday 10 August: Bannockburn Cultural Centre, Bannockburn

An information session was also held in Rokewood on 15 July.

Community group members that are unavailable at attend a session are encouraged to contact Council’s Community Partnerships Officer at 5220 7220 or communitygrants@gplains.vic.gov.au.

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COMMUNITY NEWS

COVID-19 Quick Response Community Grants Twenty-three Golden Plains community groups were awarded COVID-19 Quick Response Community Grants in the program’s second round.

A total of $46,036 will support local projects that were funded in three categories: Operating in COVID Environment; Community Engage, Connect and Recover; and Small Halls Activation. A total of $20,899 was distributed in Golden Plains Shire in the first round of the program, which is funded by the Victorian Government’s Community Activation and Social Isolation (CASI) initiative.

Congratulations to the COVID-19 Quick Response Community Grants – Round Two recipients: Teesdale Turtle Bend Events Committee

Live@Turtle Bend 2021

$4,000

Napoleons Enfield Landcare Group Inc

Frog Pond Social Plantings

$4,000

Geelong & District Golden Plains Kyokushin Inc

Be your best - Bursting through COVID-19

$4,000

Napoleons Community Coordinators

It's Movie Night at Napoleons

$3,900

Golden Plains Arts Inc

Smythesdale Community Arts Banner Project

$3,790

Advance Meredith Association Inc

Connecting Meredith - Let Our Spirit Shine

$3,775

Scarsdale Newtown Community Group

Time to Celebrate

$3,500

Smythesdale Progress Association

Smythesdale Winter Community Gathering

$3,490

Integratedliving Australia

Dereel Community Engagement Project

Cape Clear, Illabrook and Rokewood Junction Community Committee

Cape Clear and District 'Chat and Chew’ – Community Activity Nights

$2,000

Shelford Progress Association Inc - Shelford

This is what we do!

$1,700

Haddon Community Learning Centre Inc

Welcome to Haddon

$1,400

Maude Recreation Reserve Committee

Community Garden Involvement

$1,200

Maude/Steiglitz/She-Oaks Community Planning Group

Family & Community Identification of Flora and Fauna within an Interactive Community

$1,000

Smythesdale Craft Group

Return from COVID - Craft 2021

$980

DCHI

Dereel History Day

$550

Cape Clear, Illabrook and Rokewood Junction Community Committee

COVID 19 requirements for Community Activities

$500

Barunah Park Recreation Reserve Inc

Sausage Sizzle

$500

Mannibadar Hall Committee

Community Movie Night

$500

Sutherlands Creek Tennis Club

Club Pizza Night

$500

Chat and Chew - Community BBQ

$500

Come & Try - Games Evening with Supper

$500

Happy Valley Restoration Group

Happy Valley Restoration Group - Family BBQ

$500

Wallinduc Community Group Inc

Christmas in July

$500

Cape Clear Recreation Reserve Committee of Management Inc Cape Clear Recreation Reserve Committee of Management Inc

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$3,255.70

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

Introducing the

Gazette Love the Gazette and want more local news?

Community members are welcome to sign-up to Council’s new eGazette email newsletter.

The popular Gazette community magazine will continue to be published and delivered to local mailboxes six times a year. The eGazette will also be published six times a year, on the alternate months to the magazine, providing local readers with stories and news from across Golden Plains.

The first edition of Council’s eGazette will be emailed to registered participants in mid-August 2021.

Over the past few months, Council has sought community feedback on several important plans, strategies and projects.

Want to sign-up for the eGazette?

Complete the simple web form at goldenplains.vic.gov.au/newsletter/signup Email communityengagement@gplains.vic.gov.au For information or answers to your questions, call 5220 7199 and speak with Council’s Communications and Engagement team.

Residents can also stay up-to-date online by following Council on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Instagram, or by visiting goldenplains.vic.gov.au.

Join the COMMUNITY Engagement Register

Have Your Say Every Day Thank you to the many locals who have made a positive contribution to our communities by having their say and sharing their ideas. A special acknowledgement to the 473 young people and community members who participated in the Youth Survey!

If you want to engage with the Golden Plains community, sign-up for Council’s Engage e-newsletter or keep informed about Council consultations at goldenplains.vic.gov.au/consultations

All residents are welcome to join Council’s Community Engagement Register - a database of Golden Plains Shire community members who are interested in participating in community engagement activities.

Registered participants receive Engage, Council’s monthly e-newsletter, directly via email featuring information on all Council’s surveys, workshops, conversation posts and community reference groups.

Golden Plains

Complete the simple web form at goldenplains.vic.gov.au/community-engagement-register Email communityengagement@gplains.vic.gov.au For information or answers to your questions, call 5220 7199 and speak with Council’s Communications and Engagement team.

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COMMUNITY NOTICEBOARD

Rates Notices 2021/22 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.

All Golden Plains Shire ratepayers will receive their 2021/22 Rates Notice in July and August.

With the notice is the Your Rates Explained 2021/22 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.

There are three ways to pay your Rates & Charges 2021/22: 1. Pay in one full payment by 15 February, 2022 2. Pay in four instalments, due at the end of September and November 2021, and February and May 2022. 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 2021 to June 2022.

Please note: to sign-up for the monthly payments or direct debit for the instalment program, you must 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.

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

COVER: Students from Woady Yaloak - Ross Creek campus celebrate the funding announcement for Ross Creek Recreation Reserve with Mayor Cr Helena Kirby and Member for Buninyong Michaela Settle MP.

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.

Grow an Edible Garden Council are excited to announce a new Health and Wellbeing project as part of the Golden Growers initiative: Edible Gardens.

Join a free webinar series with Craig Castree, a qualified horticulturist with 45 years of experience in creating edible gardens and growing his own food organically.

Learn how to turn an existing garden into an edible and attractive space delivering fresh homegrown produce without chemicals in a few short weeks.

Perfect for beginners, the webinar series is on 4, 11 and 18 August at 6.30pm and all are welcome. The first 15 people registered will receive a free gardening starter kit including a variety of seedlings, trowl, organic fertiliser and a copy of Craig’s Edible Gardening book. To register, email GPSHealthandWellbeing@gplains.vic.gov.au