Insurance companies deflate frolics on jumping pillow

THE jumping pillow at Bridgewater caravan park will be packed away after insurance companies excluded the outdoor activity from a new pubic liability insurance policy.

New park lessee Kristy Hourigan said insurance companies had classed the inground rubber pillow the same as an inflatable bouncing castle,

“You just cannot get insurance at a reasonable rate and we have now heard there are other caravan parks pulling out their jumping pillows as well,” she said.

“We are devastated to find out that we are unable to obtain insurance whilst we have a jumping pillow. Therefore, we have had to make the hard decision to remove it.”

Kristy said one caravan park had been offered insurance cover with a $70,000 price tag compared with $10,000 if the pillow was removed.

“I spent two days on the phone to insurance brokers trying to get public liability insurance and every time I mentioned the jumping pillow, the answer was no.” tion in our operations and major projects. A big opportunity in the medium term will flow from modernising the Coliban rural water system.

It was believed insurance companies had excluded inflatables from cover since the 2021 jumping castle tragedy in Tasmania that killed six children. “Things might change in future ... perhaps we’ll just put the jumping pillow into storage,” Kristy said.

The space at Bridgewater will be filled by a new outdoor activity for campers.

“We aim to realise significant water savings from this project, and we aim to attract investment to enable these water savings to be shared with traditional owners in the form of returning water rights.

“Some initial water return to Djaara has already occurred that proves the project concept. This water return was enabled following water efficiency investment in our rural water network.”

Ms Shing said the Djaara Gatjin Strategy was designed as an overarching strategy to sit alongside Water for Victoria to guide water management on Dja Dja Wurrung country.

“As part of the strategy, DJAARA plans to establish a Gatjin Authority to manage its water obligations, which would become an integral part of Victoria’s water framework.”

Water is Life proposed a review of management actions from partner strategies and management plans that could improve hydrology, such as reinstating natural flow paths through removal of levee banks and other obstructions, to enable more frequent natural flooding.

A Government fact sheet says Water is Like Aboriginal water access through Water is Life will not affect existing water entitlements or allocations.

Diabetes Week checks

INGLEWOOD and Districts Health Service will offer a pop-up blood glucose testing next Tuesday as part of Diabetes Week. Staff will be at Inglewood IGA between 9.30am and 11.30am on Tuesday.

New citizen

BOORT’S Renu Pattison last week became an Australian citizen in a ceremony conducted by Loddon Mayor Dan Straub. Renu survived the devastating 2004 Thailand tsunami and moved to Australia in 2013.

Kinder time

ENROLMENTS for Loddon kindergartens in 2024 opened on Tuesday, Loddon Shire announced late yesterday morning. Wellbeing director Wendy Gladman said a new online process had been introduced after feedback from families. “It (also) allows an easier re-enrolment process for parents and carers of children moving from the three year old program into four-year-old kinder.”

Signatures grow

MORE than 200 people have signed a petition calling for installation of a pedestrian crossing on the Calder Highway at Wedderburn. Organiser Cheryl Howley said support was strong in town for the petition that had also been backed by visitors travelling the highway.

In-home care groups set

TWO Loddon groups have been confirmed as new inhome care service providers.

Loddon Shire made the announcement last Friday afternoon, less than 12 hours before the official changeover.

Boort District Health, Inglewood and Districts Health Service and Intereach will provide the Commonwealth Home Support Programme. Inglewood will also offer the Home and Community Care – Program for Younger People.

Intereach has been appointed to provide veterans’ home care while Bendigo Health will run the regional assessment service in Loddon.

The shire council last year voted to end providing the services after Federal Government reforms.

Wellbeing director Wendy Gladman said most council care staff would be part of the new providers’ teams, ensuring as much consistency for clients as possible.