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SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 2021
Local News Delays at Dindi
■ Melbourne metropolitan based construction workers are not able to travel to Regional Victoria because of COVID restrictions, Murrindindi Shire Council was told on Wednesday. Chief Executive Officer Livia Bonazzi said this has impacted three projects: ■ The Kinglake Streetscape project is on hold. The contractor from the eastern suburbs of Melbourne. The sub-contractors are from the northern suburbs. Murrindindi Council is doing daily checks of traffic management and safety measures. “We understand that contractor employees will have had first vaccination this week and are able come to Kinglake on Monday to make the site safe but will not return until the lockdown restrictions ease in regards to construction,” Ms Bonazzi said. ■ In Alexandra, the William St footpath works were due to start this week but the contractor is based in metro Melbourne so this is delayed ■ The unsealed road resheeting program across the Murrindindi Shire also cannot commence next week as originally planned. The contractor is from the eastern suburbs of Melbourne. - Murrindindi Shire Council
Works stopped
■ “We have ceased any non-essential works for the time being until we can establish the vaccination status of our contractors,” CEO Livia Bonazzi told Councillors. “Contact has begun with contractors to work through their status. “We expect the Greater Melbourne construction lockdown to ease on October 5 and at this stage it is unclear if there will be any further setbacks to our projects. “From the perspective of Council’s staff we are still awaiting advice regarding what is and isn’t considered construction work for our services. “But we have confirmed that any roadworks required under the road management plan are regarded as essential and therefore exempt from the restrictions,” Ms Bonazzi said. - Murrindindi Shire Council
Re-opening doubt
■ There were seven new COVID cases in Mitchell Shire announced yesterday (Sat.) by Health Minister Martin Foley. Although an announcement about the Mitchell Shire lockdown is to be announced by the Chief Health Officer Professor Brett Sutton, Mr Foley hinted that the lockdown may continue locally as the number of infections grow. - Martin Foley
$2000 grant
■ Diamond Creek Force Netball Association has won a $2000 as part of Woolworths' Pick Fresh Play Fresh Grants program. The grants support grassroots netball clubs and associations across Australia, and are focused on helping young netball players get more healthy, fresh nutrition at training and on match days. Each club will be able to fund things such as new fridges, juicers, access to dietitians, or even allow a canteen makeover. A total of 75 clubs across Australia received a $2000 grant to shape positive behaviour and encourage young players to pick fresh. - Sunny Manadavadi
$500 GRANTS AVAILABLE
■ Small grants of up to $500 are available to community groups across Murrindindi Shire for initiatives, activities, projects or events that build connection, reduce feelings of loneliness and isolation, increase social participation and inclusion, and enhance a sense of belonging. Foundation Murrindindi’s aim is to support projects that help bring people together after experiencing social disconnection through the COVID-19 pandemic. “We know it has been difficult for community groups to plan activities but we have also seen some really creative ideas that increase community connection,” said Robyn Hill, Executive Officer of Foundation Murrindindi. This grant round stems from one of Foundation Murrindindi’s five areas of impact: Community Health and Wellbeing. To be eligible to apply for funding through Connected Communities Small Grants Program, applications must meet the following criteria: ■ Applicant organisations must be a not-forprofit organisation. ■ Applicant organisations must be located within the Shire of Murrindindi with the project providing benefits to local people. ■ Funded activities must create opportunities for community members to experience greater connection to their community through opportunities that improve access and participation. ■ Funded activities must align with one or more impact areas are described by Foundation Murrindindi. ■ Applications must include COVID-19 mitigation in project planning and delivery that addresses current Victorian Department of Health and Human Services advice Funding will not be considered for: ■ Activities with a religious or political focus ■ Capital works ■ Commercial activities ■ Fundraising activities, competitions, prizes or award events ■ Activities that have already commenced or occurred ■ Funded project, events or activities must be completed by February 28, 2022 After the application period has closed and Foundation Murrindindi received applications: ■ Applicants will receive an email confirming receipt of their application through the SmartyGrants online portal. ■ The application will be assessed against the eligibility and assessment criteria. ■ Funding recommendations will be advised
■ Murrindindi Shire Council has sent out rates notices, Chief Executive Officer Livia Bonazzi told Wednesday night’s meeting. “We recently completed our annual distribution of rate notices for the 2021-22 financial year, with notices sent to Australia Post on September 10,” Ms Bonazzi said. “We experienced a short delay this year due to factors outside of our control, and as a consequence we have extended the first instalment date to October 15. “I have heard anecdotally that some people have not yet received the notices, so I suspect this is an Australia Post delay – which should be resolved within a few days. “We continue to provide support to anyone who is experiencing difficulty making their rate payments, providing they notify us of their situation. “In these cases we can discuss options and arrange a payment plan to best suit individual circumstances,” Ms Bonazzi said. - Livia Bonazzi
Likely increase
● Robyn Hill, Executive Officer, Foundation Murrindindi by Foundation Murrindindi Grants and Programs Sub Committee. ■ Foundation Murrindindi Board will make the final decision on the outcome of all eligible applications. ■ All applicants will receive a notification via email with the result of their application by the end of October. ■ Information about grant decisions will not be given over the phone. ■ The list of successful applicants will be published on the Foundation Murrindindi’s website and social media platforms approximately one month after all applicants have been notified of the outcome of their application Assessment Criteria Connected Communities Small Grant applications are assessed against the following assessment criteria: ■ Alignment to the purpose and objectives of Connected Communities Small Grants ■ Demonstrated community need ■ Number of participants that will participate and benefit ■ Target demographic group/s ■ Budget reflects appropriate scope and scale of intended activity. ■ Geographic location/s of intended activity or event. ■ Due to the ongoing impact of COVID-19, grant applications must mention how the proposed project will be delivered with changing restrictions in mind. - Robyn Hill
Lovell blasts Andrews ■ Northern Victoria MLC Wendy Lovell has blasted Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews over his handling of COVID lockdown restrictions. “We were promised by the Premier that the pain endured during the devastating extended lockdowns of 2020 would be worth it so that in 2021 Victoria would not be forced to be plunged in and out of lockdown.” Ms Lovell said. “Well, we all know how that went. “But really, isn’t it time for the Premier to acknowledge and understand the devastating impacts that lockdowns have across all facets
Local News Notices on the way
of the Victorian community? Lockdowns negatively impact on our children’s education. Homeschooling is in no way a substitute for face-to-face learning. Children miss out on social interaction with friends, and our teachers are pressured to deliver remote learning. “Families are fragmented, loneliness is a constant companion for many, weddings and birthdays are not celebrated as they should be and sadly many of our most vulnerable die alone without the comfort of their loved ones. “Government-imposed lockdowns also mean the destruction of our businesses and the jobs they provide many Victorians,” Ms Lovell said. - Wendy Lovell
■ Murrindindi Shire Council is part of a group that is anticipating a “likely increase” in Coronavirus cases. CEO Livia Bonazzi said that she had attended a Goulburn Valley Area of Operations Control Team meeting “The purpose of this new Forum is “to supress the spread of Coronavirus and manage community consequences in the GV region through a focussed, coordinated and collaborative response effort. “This control team is preparing for the likely increase in number of infections across our District, as the restrictions ease, I have confidence that this forum has the key agencies and the right level of representation to share information and be well prepared through an integrated planning approach representation includes: ■ LG Councils CEOs ■ Department of Health ■ Department of Justice and Community Safety ■ Department of Education ■ Department of Transport ■ Goulburn Valley Health ■ Victoria Police ■ Department of Families, Fairness and Housing. - Murrindindi Shire Council
Not out of woods
■ Indi MHR Dr Helen Haines says the last few days have shown that the community is not out of the woods when it comes to the spread of COVID. “As Shepparton emerges from lockdown, Albury unfortunately is now affected,” Dr Haines said. “This fortnight I met with many of the senior administrators of our health services, from Corryong and Albury Wodonga Health in the north down to Alexandra Health in the south. “As we inch closer to achieving the vaccination rates required to open up our state, I heard about the plans they have in place to manage this next stage of the pandemic. “I also heard about the extraordinary number of COVID tests and vaccines they have administered. “Strong local health services are vital to our communities,” Dr Haines said in her Indi Cockatoo newsletter. - Helen Haines