Medals recognise service

FIVE current and former Wedderburn State Emergency Service unit members have been honoured with medal presentations.

Senior Assistant Chief Officer Sharon Unthank presented SES service medals at a dinner in Wedderburn last week.

Volunteer Richard Lancaster was the recipient of both the National Medal and SES service medal recognising his 15 years with the unit.

Ms Unthank was assisted by operations manager Brad Dalgleish and acting unit controller Mike Bagnall, of Gisborne.

Shane Lidgerwood was awarded a five-year service pin.

Former controller Paull Gordon-Cooke and wife Dianne were honoured for 10 years of service and former deputy controller Reg Holt for 25 years.

Mr and Mrs Gordon-Cooke and Mr Holt resigned from the SES earlier this year in disagreement with several regional office directives.

The SES is currently running a recruitment drive for the Wedderburn unit.

Boundary redraw in seat shave

BOUNDARIES for the federal seat of Mallee could be in for change at a redistribution announced by the Australian Electoral Commission.

Victoria will be reduced by one seat to 38 in the Federal Parliament after the redistribution expected to be finished in late 2024.

Mallee includes all communities in the Loddon Shire and is the largest electorate in Victoria covering 83,412 square kilometres, more than double the next biggest Wannon.

According to the AEC, Mallee’s current enrolment is within two per cent of the required 110,000 people.

However, with one less seat in Victoria, the required number may change.

Public submissions on the redistribution will open from September and proposed boundaries released from March.

Anne Webster has held Mallee for the National Party since 2019.

New water season opens Better management at Cairn Curran needed: Trimble

GOULBURN Murray Water has started refilling channels for the new irrigation season opening on Tuesday. The offseason has seen a GMW staff refurbishing more than 30km of channel and treating more than 200km of channel for weeds. GMW customers can place orders for water from today. Throughout the irrigation season, orders can be placed up to 10 days in advance.

SOUND proactive management of water levels at Cairn Curran reservoir would help avoid a repeat of last October’s Loddon River floods, the Victorian Parliament flood inquiry has been told by Newbridge’s Ron Trimble.

His submission to the inquiry calls for “reducing water levels based on weather forecasts allowing more time for early water release to reduce flood levels” with future reservoir management again including reasons for its construction over 10 years to 1956 - flood mitigation, irrigations and town water security.

“Capacity of Cairn Curran at 96 per cent leaves no opportunity for flood mitigation given the catchment area. The main gate was not opened until late the day prior to the flood suggests to me that none of the forward rain forecasts were considered and rainfall data was not analysed to understand what the water levels were going to be and affectively leaving the Loddon River in an uncontrolled state,” he has said, claiming there was no mitigation last October.

The Legislative Council inquiry will hold hearings in Echuca on August 24. Loddon Shire Mayor Dan Straub has been called to speak at the inquiry.

Onsite Wastewater Management Systems (OWMS)

OWMS (including septic tank systems) are used on residential, community and business premises in unsewered areas. They treat, recycle, or dispose of wastewater from bathrooms, kitchens, and toilets.

Poorly installed or maintained systems (especially older systems) can pollute nearby creeks and rivers, contaminate land and give o o ensive odour. If you own or use an onsite wastewater management system, there are laws that apply.

You must:

 operate the system correctly, such as not overloading it

 make sure the system does not over ow

 notify your council if there is a problem with the system

 maintain the system in good working order (this doesn’t apply to renters)

If you’re a landowner, it’s recommended you get your system serviced regularly. You must also provide information to renters about how to use your system.

Council permits for installing or altering a system

Before you install a new system, or alter an existing one, contact Council to apply for a permit. Failure to get a permit can result in a ne. Councils regulate systems up to 5000L capacity. Larger systems are regulated by EPA.

Read more about how to manage your OWMS at https://www.epa.vic.gov.au/for-community/ environmental-information/water/aboutwastewater/how-to-manage-your-own-septicsystem or by calling 1300 372 842.

Volunteer Grants Grants of between $1,000 and $5,000 are available to eligible not-for-pro t community organisations to support the e orts of Australia’s volunteers. If you or your organisation’s sta are at least 40% volunteers and you are in the electorate of Mallee, nd out more in Council’s Mayoral Column (3 August 2023).