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Summer works on Gippsland train line

THE Department of Transport has announced coaches will replace trains along the entire Gippsland line early this year. From January 12 to February 10 coaches will replace trains between Bairnsdale and Southern Cross while work commences along the line. The work on the train line is part of the Gippsland Line Upgrade, and aims to provide more frequent and reliable services for passengers. Works will be commencing in Traralgon, Morwell, Longwarry and Bunyip during this time. The Department of Transport is urging people to allow extra time for their journeys for much of the summer holiday period, as works that commenced on Boxing Day will continue over this time. Delays will be seen for people travelling to Melbourne and surrounding suburbs, with works happening on the Monash Freeway.

Crews will be laying 72’000 tonnes of asphalt as part of the work to add 36 kilometres of lanes between Warrigal Road and Eastlink and Cylde Road to Cardinia Road. As part of this work there will be overnight freeway closures and daytime lane closures between Eastlink and Warrigal Road, as well as entry and exit ramp closures. Director General Major Transport Infrastructure Authority Corey Hannett said that the projects will help Victoria move into the future. “As Victorians take a well-deserved break, work on some of our biggest transport projects will be full steam ahead,” he said. “As we continue to make progress on our huge program of works, Victoria’s Big Build is keeping thousands of workers in jobs and ensuring our state keeps moving into the future.” New cap is announced for councils across Vic

THE state government has set a new 1.75 per cent rate cap for all Victorian councils - including Latrobe City - for the 2022/23 financial year. Minister for Local Government Shaun Leane announced the cap recently under the state government’s Fair Go Rates system. The Fair Go Rates system began in 2016 to limit uncontrolled rate hikes and to provide councils with a framework to guide their budgeting and deliver services. “We introduced the Fair Go Rates system to help reduce cost-of-living pressures for Victorians by preventing uncontrolled rate hikes from local councils across Victoria,” Mr Leane said. “Community members have the chance to engage with their local councils as they make decisions about rate rises through their budget process each year.”

The cap is set each year by the Minister for Local Government with advice from the Essential Services Commission, guided by the Consumer Price Index. Before the Fair Go Rates system was introduced residents faced an average rate increase of six per cent every year. The current rate cap of 1.5 per cent is the lowest since the system was first introduced. Councils collect rates from residents annually to fund infrastructure and services such as local parks, libraries, community centres, roads, kindergartens, waste collection and sports grounds. Councils individually set rates for their municipalities every year through their budget process and must consult with their communities on decisions relating to budgets, rates, and other charges.

Keeping your pets safe in hot weather

THE RSPCA is urging Victorians to keep pets safe and cool during summer. For animals who live outdoors, it is important that owners take note of daily temperatures and take action. Do not keep animals in hot cars, include them in holiday plans and ensure they have enough shade and water. RSPCA Chief Executive Officer Dr Liz Walker said the consequences of leaving dogs in hot cars can be tragic. “It only takes six minutes for a dog to die in a hot car as temperatures can rise to dangerous levels very quickly and can reach double the outside temperature even on mild days,” she said. “Tinted windows, parking in the shade or leaving windows down do not reduce the inside temperature significantly.” If pets do need to be left outside on warm days, the RSPCA recommends leaving multiple sources of cool clean water for them, ensuring that water bowls can’t be tipped over. Providing multiple sources accounts for spillage, evaporation, or leaks. Multiple sources of shelter should also be provided to account for shade options and sun moving over the course of the day. If going on a holiday, plan to take your pets with you, or organise a reliable friend, relative, neighbour or pet sitting service to care for them while you are away. RSPCA Victoria released data from last financial year, reporting 1163 reports of abandoned animals last financial year, with 384 of these reports during last summer alone. If leaving your animal at home, ensure to inform neighbours of your plans, and let them know your pet is being cared for so that they know they have not been abandoned. The RSPCA reminded Victorians that responsible pet ownership comes with legal and moral obligations to keep pets safe. “None of us want animals to suffer in the heat so always make plans for your pets to be kept happy and safe, even in milder summer weather,” Dr Walker said.