
4 minute read
Little comes when little promised
from Loddon Herald 25 May 2023
by Loddon
HOPES can never be too high when little is put on the table during the cut and thrust of election campaigns.
This week’s Victorian Budget was brought down against a backdrop of burgeoning state debt, high interest repayments and the political imperative to rein in spending.
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Little if anything visionary, futurebuilding, was forthcoming last year for Loddon communities when candidates were out on the hustings chasing votes.
The biggest ticket items were an extra $100,000 for Wedderburn’s Donaldson Park from a harness racing pot of cash, $50,000 for that town’s community house to keep doing what it does running programs to give skills and engagement of residents and, of course, the “commitment” that a State Government child care centre would be somewhere in the shire from 2026.
KILLER’S KOMMENTARY
That was from the Government of Premier Andrews, comfortably re-elected and for the first time in almost a decade, seeing a Labor MP given the tick to represent southern Loddon communities.
But while the specific visionary projects for the future of Loddon communities were missing - better road infrastructure to handle greater use by residents and transient drivers of trucks and cars, tackling the rapidly-arriving challenges of residential development and growth already happening organically and making sure our local towns are ready to accommodate the people looking to escape spilling at the seams Bendigo - we’re not expecting too much when suggesting the Government looks at, and invests in, these demands on
Letters To The Editor
AEMO, Government must address wellbeing
Sir, I recently listened to Simon Roger’s interview on ABC Radio. He was interviewing a Clunes farmer whose equity had been devalued by $1.5 million after being told that AUSNET would be installing two power transmission towers on his property.
In a frighteningly similar manner to AEMO’s proposed Option 5, this new transmission line had simply ‘arrived’ in his local area.
The farmer put in a complaint to the Energy and Water Ombudsman of Victoria but was told it was outside their jurisdiction.
AUSNET responded to EWOV suggesting they would have a discussion with the farmer, but stressed they held a ‘firm position’. This statement was followed by six phone numbers - all relating to suicide prevention or self-help.
What a disgrace. Sadly, it seems AEMO is heading down this exact same path again.
Nicola Falcon, Victorian Group Planning Manager for AEMO, stated at the Wedderburn Forum on May 5, that AEMO had been transparent, they had held dropin sessions and community consultation.
What was glaringly absent, was any mention for the consideration (let alone concern) of the emotional impact of Option 5.
As a health care worker, Stacey Keller was quoted in the Loddon Herald article Fuming Farmers Pop up Banners (May 18) ‘there is heightened worry and concern … farmers who are stereotypically known to show no emotion, are (now) showing emotion loud and clear, and it’s concerning. The utter negligence you at AEMO have shown towards the mental health of affected communities is horrendous. We are people.’
She continues by highlighting that ‘mental ill health and suicide rates among services that will inevitably arise within a handful years. And to set aside precious money now - outside election campaigns - to avoid costlier required contributions down the track.
Added to that, the need for better flow of flood recovery funds from the Government to have the Loddon back with an economic engine revving strongly and our part of the state could have received a bit more focus in this week’s Budget.
Country communities are too often overlooked when governments carve up the financial pie.
Because it has been happening, increasingly, for more than a century, does not make it right. Time is closer when local projects must get more than crumbs.
1.The Titanic set off on its maiden voyage from which English city?
2. To the nearest thousand, roughly how many times do humans breathe in and out each day?
3. What is the chemical symbol for silver?
4. Who invented cat’s eyes to improve road safety in 1934?
5. What is the doll, Barbie’s, full name?
6. True or false – Male seahorses carry and birth babies while the females prepare more eggs.
7. 452 degrees C is the average surface temperature on which planet?
8. Australia’s oldest church is located in which state or territory?
9. The Sydney Harbour Bridge is an example of what type of bridge?
10. A marmoset is what animal?
11. How many yards are a furlong?
12. Aircraft registered in Australia have registration codes beginning with which two letters?
13. Chinese gooseberry is another name for which fruit?
14. Cataracts affect which part of the body?
15. BP (in relation to petrol stations) stands for what?
16. What is the capital city of Canada?
17. Mascarpone is what type of foodstuff?
18. A bicycle designed for two people to ride is called a what?
19. Spat is the name given for baby what?
20. Levi Strauss invented what clothing?
Answers
rural farming communities is significantly higher than the general population and non-farming rural males.’
What an insult and disgrace that the best our government and its energy providers can do is hand out suicide-prevention and self-help phone numbers as a solution.
Perhaps the Andrews Labor Government and Minister D’Ambrosio should hold AEMO accountable for not addressing the wellbeing concerns of their constituents. Neglecting to consider such a critical element on a project of this scale will sadly only add to the tragic statistics to which Ms Keller referred.
AEMO have already shown they don’t care, but it is the role of our elected representatives to hold them to account.
I’m calling on Minister D’Ambrosio and Premier Andrews to hold AEMO accountable for the sham that they call ‘consultation’. GlendaWatts Charlton
Volunteers are our lifeblood
Sir, Volunteers are the lifeblood of our community.
From our CFA and SES members to our hall committees, neighbourhood houses, Landcare groups, Lions and Rotary clubs, RSLs, and sports clubs.
They give thousands of hours of their time to keep our rural and regional communities ticking.
After National Volunteer Week - I say thank you. Thank you for all that you do.
You make a difference to the lives of so many. And without you, we’d be a lesser place.
MarthaHaylett MemberforRipon