Local People. Wed., Oct. 20, 2021

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WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2021

COVID Latest New clinics in Hume, Whittlesea

● Martin Foley ■ State Health Minister Martin Foley has announced new clinics, including those in the Hume and Whittlesea municipalities.

The Government will rapidly set up 20 new GP respiratory clinics to enable hundreds of Victorians to access COVID-19 testing and respiratory assessments close to home, without going to hospital.

This $23.8 million initiative will see primary care clinics playing a greater role in easing the load on hospitals by reducing emergency department presentations and avoidable visits to hospital.

It is estimated the respiratory clinics will support more than 350 patients of all ages a week who have respiratory symptoms, to ensure they receive immediate support in the management of their illness.

Services will be available to those with or without a Medicare card, at no cost to the patient, with the fit-for-purpose facilities open 16 hours a day, seven days a week.

The new clinics will be located in the LGAs of Hume, Wyndham, Brimbank, Moreland, Darebin, Moonee Valley, Melbourne, Maribyrnong, Melton, Casey, Greater Dandenong, Monash, Kingston, Cardinia, Whittlesea, Banyule and Boroondara.

GP respiratory clinics already operating in areas with high COVID-19 caseloads will also be supported to extend their operating hours.

The clinics will be staffed by appropriately trained and qualified clinicians, including general practitioners and nurses.

The new clinics will be set up in three to six weeks, while operating hours of existing, selected clinics, will be extended within two weeks.

There are currently 28 Commonwealth GP respiratory clinics located across the state, including 18 in regional Victoria.

Clinics will receive establishment and operating grants to cover staffing and facility costs.

Clinics will be identified through an Expression of Interest process led by Primary Health Networks. Expressions of interest opened on Monday (Oct. 18) “Establishing GP respiratory clinics in areas of high demand is about ensuring Victorians have easy access to free, high-quality care close to home – reducing visits to busy emergency departments,” said Mr Foley.

“Increasing COVID-19 cases in Victoria has highlighted the critical role of primary care – ensuring Victorians can quickly access the respiratory support they need, 16 hours day, seven days a week.”

- Department of Health and local health professionals

COUNTDOWN TO FRIDAY

■ At 70 per cent double dose, lockdown will end in Melbourne at 11.59pm Thursday (Oct. 21).

More social and recreation activities open up for fully vaccinated Victorians.

Social and recreational In metropolitan Melbourne: Reasons to leave home and curfew no longer in place.

■ 10 people including dependents can visit your home per day, vaccination strongly recommended.

■ 15 people can gather outdoors, community sport training returns for minimum required to hold training.

■ Pubs and clubs can open to 20 fully vaccinated people indoors and 50 outdoors. Entertainment venues can open to 50 fully vaccinated people outdoors In regional Victoria: ■ 10 people including dependents can visit your home per day, vaccination strongly recommended.

■ 20 people can gather outdoors, including dependents.

■ Community sport returns indoors for minimum number required.

■ Pubs, clubs and entertainment venues are open indoors to 30 fully vaccinated people. ★ Education In metropolitan Melbourne: All school students return onsite at least part time.

In regional Victoria: All school students return onsite full time. ★ Religious ceremonies In metropolitan Melbourne Funerals and weddings are allowed for 20 fully vaccinated indoors and 50 fully vaccinated outdoors.

In regional Victoria: Funerals and weddings are allowed for 30 fully vaccinated people indoors and 100 fully vaccinated outdoors. ★ Hairdressing, beauty, personal care In metropolitan Melbourne: Open for up to five fully vaccinated people. ★ Phase C, currently due in the first week of November. The rules for Phase C are published, at right.

Phase D: 80 per cent double dose (12+) is due to take effect from around November 19.

Once 80 per cent of Victorians aged 12 and over are fully vaccinated, restrictions will align with the National Plan to transition Australia's National COVID-19 Response, agreed to by National Cabinet.

By Christmas Day (Dec. 25), it is hoped that 30 visitors will be allowed to the home.

- Department of Health and local health professionals

Paper to return

■ ‘Hard copies’ of The Local Paper are expected to return each week from Wednesday, November 10.

Six weekly editions (Nov. 10, 17, 24, Dec. 1, 8, 15) are scheduled to be published prior to Christmas. The first 2022 edition is timed for Wednesday, February 2.

- Ash Long, Editor

● Daniel Andrews, Premier

More freedoms returned soon

■ Phase C, with an 80 per cent double dose rate, currently timed for approximately November 5, will see altered rules: At 80 per cent fully vaccinated, regional Victoria and Metro Melbourne come together under the same rules.

Social and recreational ■ Up to 10 people (including dependants) are permitted at your home.

■ Up to 150 fully vaccinated people can dine indoors, and up to 30 can gather in public outside.

■ Indoor community sport open for minimum number required.

■ Masks are only required inside.

■ Pubs, restaurants and cafes can open for seated service only, up to 150 fully vaccinated people inside and 500 outdoors. ★ Work Work from home if you can, but you can go to work if fully vaccinated. ★ Education ■ Early childhood education and care is open.

■ All students return to school with additional safety measures in place.

■ On-site adult education returns for fully vaccinated Victorians. ★ Religious ceremonies Weddings, funerals, and religious services return for 150 fully vaccinated people indoors, and 500 outdoors. ★ Hairdressing, beauty, personal care Open for fully vaccinated people. ★ Retail All retail open.

COVID Latest 135 new cases in Whittlesea City

■ Some 135 new COVID cases in the City of Whittlesea were announced yesterday (Tue., Oct. 19). There were two cases in Murrindindi Shire.

Authorities said there were 16 cases in Yarra Ranges, four in Mitchell Shire, seven in Nillumbik, and 145 in nearby Hume.

Of the 1749 locally acquired cases announced yesterday (Tue.), the following Local Government Areas in metropolitan Melbourne recorded more than one newly diagnosed case: ■ 25 cases in Banyule ■ 22 cases in Bayside ■ 4 cases in Boroondara ■ 127 cases in Brimbank ■ 20 cases in Cardinia ■ 153 cases in Casey ■ 77 cases in Darebin ■ 40 cases in Frankston ■ 25 cases in Glen Eira ■ 132 cases in Greater Dandenong ■ 25 cases in Hobsons Bay ■ 145 cases in Hume ■ 32 cases in Kingston ■ 20 cases in Knox ■ 21 cases in Manningham ■ 37 cases in Maribyrnong ■ 11 cases in Maroondah ■ 62 cases in Melbourne ■ 111 cases in Melton ■ 19 cases in Monash ■ 43 cases in Moonee Valley ■ 68 cases in Moreland ■ 19 cases in Mornington Peninsula ■ 7 cases in Nillumbik ■ 21 cases in Port Phillip ■ 13 cases in Stonnington ■ 15 cases in Whitehorse ■ 135 cases in Whittlesea ■ 122 cases in Wyndham ■ 26 cases in Yarra ■ 16 cases in Yarra Ranges There were 483 new cases in Melbourne’s northern suburbs, 527 new cases in the western suburbs, 496 cases in the south-eastern suburbs and 87 cases in the eastern suburbs.

There were also 145 new cases announced in regional Victoria yesterday. The total number of active cases in regional Victoria stands at 1846.

New cases in regional Victoria were: ■ 5 cases in Ballarat ■ 1 case in Bass Coast ■ 18 cases in Baw Baw ■ 1 case in Benalla ■ 1 case in Colac-Otway ■ 1 case in Gannawarra ■ 13 cases in Greater Bendigo ■ 18 cases in Greater Geelong ■ 13 cases in Greater Shepparton ■ 24 cases in Latrobe ■ 2 cases in Macedon Ranges ■ 6 cases in Mildura ■ 4 cases in Mitchell ■ 2 cases in Moira ■ 9 cases in Moorabool ■ 1 case in Moyne ■ 2 cases in Murrindindi ■ 1 case in Swan Hill ■ 3 cases in Towong ■ 6 cases in Wangaratta ■ 1 case in Wellington ■ 13 cases in Wodonga There are currently more than 64,800 active primary close contacts in isolation in Victoria.

At 12 Noon Tuesday, there were around 115 published exposure sites in Victoria.

There may be occasions when the Department of Health is unable to make con● Turn To Page 2

Page 2 - The Local Paper - Wednesday, October 20, 2021

COVID Latest ● From Page One

New cases reported tact with a business or residential premises before their listing as an exposure site. At all times, the Department takes the decision of when to publish these sites in the interests of public health.

The Department regularly manages exposure sites that it doesn’t publish online, particularly if these sites represent lowerrisk exposure, or if they have comprehensive record-keeping and contact-tracing measures, or if they identify small, private locations – including smaller apartment or townhouse complexes. ★ Victoria aznnounced 1749 new cases of COVID-19 yesterday. All were locally acquired cases. There are 22,476 active cases in Victoria.

There are 784 COVID-19 cases in hospital in Victoria. 149 of those cases are in intensive care, with 100 cases on a ventilator.

The Department was notified of 11 deaths yesterday.

This brings the total number of deaths in Victoria since the pandemic began to 981.

The total number of confirmed cases in Victoria since the beginning of the pandemic is 69,179. ★ The Chief Health Officer has declared that at 11.59pm Tuesday (Oct. 19) there will no longer be any red zones in New South Wales.

■ All Local Government Areas in the Greater Sydney region – including Blue Mountains, Central Coast, Shellharbour and Wollongong – will become orange zones.

■ All Local Government Areas in the remainder of regional New South Wales, plus Jervis Bay Territory, will move from red/ orange zones to green zones.

■ In addition, Broken Hill in New South Wales and Shepparton in Victoria will rejoin the New South Wales-Victoria cross-border community area.

■ The ACT remains an orange zone.

These changes will come into effect at the same time as broader changes to Victoria’s travel permit system announced last week.

This means if you have had two doses of the COVID-19 vaccine and you have been in the Sydney area (which will become an orange zone), you can enter Victoria on an orange zone permit without any quarantine or testing requirements.

People who are not fully vaccinated entering on an orange zone permit must isolate on arrival, get tested within 72 hours, and stay isolated until they receive a negative result.

People travelling to Victoria must follow all Chief Health Officer Directions in place while in Victoria. ★ Restrictions From 11.59pm Thursday (Oct. 21) nonhousehold primary close contacts who are fully vaccinated will only need to quarantine for seven days. ★ Vaccines On Monday (Oct. 18), 36,751 vaccine doses were administered by Victoria’s statecommissioned services.

The total number of doses administered through state-run services is 4,234,036.

89.4 per cent of Victorians aged 16 and over have now had at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine and 67.2 per cent have had two doses.

New community pop-up vaccination sites will open this week offering walk-ups at the following locations: ■ Victorian Pride Centre, St Kilda ■ Queerspace, Carlton ■ East Reservoir Senior Citizens Centre ■ Our Lady Guardian of Plants Chaldean Catholic Church, Campbellfield ■ Kingsbury Bowling Club ■ Craigieburn Sports Stadium ■ Fawkner Community Hall ■ Sacred Heart Mission, St Kilda ■ EACH Building, Yarra Junction ■ Bunjil Place, Narre Warren - Department of Health and local health professionals

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Local People: 2

Gender equality at fee-free TAFE ■ More Victorians will be given the skills to identify and respond to gender inequality and family violence, with two new courses added to the Victorian Government’s Free TAFE program from 2022.

Gayle Tierney, Minister for Training and Skills, yesterday (Tue.) announced the new skillsets, which meet key recommendations of the Royal Commission into Family Violence and support the Gender Equality Act 2020.

They include the Course in Gender Equity, the first accredited training program of its type in Australia, to give workers the tools to promote gender equity in the workplace and understand Victorian legislation.

Identifying and Responding to Family Violence Risk will help upskill community services workers with key risk assessment, risk management and referral skills to provide an initial response to family violence.

The Government has made training more accessible through the signature Free TAFE program, offering eligible students fully subsidised courses that directly lead to jobs now and into the future. Ninety-three thousand students have started courses – saving $150 million in the first two years.

● Gayle Tierney

A further seven new Free TAFE courses will be offered in 2022, including in veterinary nursing, tourism and health and aged care to meet key government priority areas and skills demands while also boosting the Victorian economy.

“We’re making TAFE and training more accessible to ensure Victorians have the skills they need – these courses are particularly important in strengthening gender equity and preventing family violenc,” Ms Tierney said.

Last year, the State Government announced an investment of $631.4 million to drive economic recovery and increase access to training, which includes $163 million for a Skills for Economic Recovery package announced in July 2020.

This investment will create up to 60,000 new training places over four years in Free TAFE courses and builds on the additional 10,000 Free TAFE places announced in July 2020 as part of the Skills for Economic Recovery Package.

The Government has made a record $3.2 billion investment in TAFE and training to ensure Victorians have access to high quality education and rewarding career pathways.

- Gayle Tierney

Parking changes at Water World

■ With the easing of restrictions announced, splash parks across the Yarra Ranges including Warburton Water World will open to the public from Friday (Oct. 22).

Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the new parking area adjacent to the park is not complete. As a result, temporary parking modifications for Warburton Water World have been implemented.

Temporary parking options will be in effect while construction continues on the new parking area.

Warburton Recreation Reserve Parking Visitors are advised to park at Warburton Recreation Reserve and walk the remaining distance from the reserve to Warburton Water World. The distance of this walk is approximately 1km.

Warburton Holiday Park Drop-Off A drop off point at the entrance of Warburton Holiday Park will be available for visitors of Warburton Water World to use.

Visitors using this drop-off will be able to park for a maximum of two minutes at the drop-off point. The driver must not leave the vehicle.

When visiting Warburton Water World, please be safe when parking, crossing any roads and using the park equipment.

● Warburton Water World Due to the recent easing of restrictions Yarra East Warburton Redwood Forest, the Yarra Ranges Council is expecting high amounts of River behind Warburton's main street, the visitors to Warburton Water World, especially O’Shannassy Aqueduct Trail and the Little Peninsula Tunnel. on weekends.

There are also water play parks in Seville The Council is suggesting that if the park is overcrowded, vsiitors consider an alternate des- and at Lillydale Lake.

- Yarra Ranges Shire Council tination. Other nearby attractions include the

Stadium construction complete

■ Construction is complete on the new Dual Court Stadium in Mansfield.

Mansfield Shire Council has taken over the management of the new Stadium with the keys being handed over on September 30 The multi-use indoor stadium comprises: ■ dual court multisport indoor stadium with inbuilt spectator seating ■ dual multisport outdoor courts ■ a community kitchen, meeting space and shared office space ■ two full change rooms accessible internally and externally ■ a 107-space open carpark with sealed pavement, kerb and channel, stormwater drainage, lighting and landscaping.

The Council has a joint use agreement with the Mansfield Secondary College and is responsible for the maintenance and management of the facility outside of school hours.

The Stadium was established as a priority in Council’s Sport Facilities Strategy.

Mayor Cr Mark Holcombe said the Dual Court Stadium project contributed to the Council Plan’s goals toward a healthy and connected community.

“At the beginning of this project, it was clear

that many community sporting organisations had a demand for growth but our facilities couldn’t accommodate them,” said Cr Holcombe.

“The new Dual Court Stadium is a great facility that will allow our strong community sporting groups to get stronger as the facilities now have the capacity to sustain operational growth. We are very happy to have been part of this collaborative project to help provide such an exceptional facility for access by our community.”

- Mansfield Shire Council

On-campus tests

● Cr Mark Holcombe

■ Schools have a duty to keep students and staff safe, says Firbank Grammar, the first school in Victoria to introduce COVID-19 Rapid Antigen Testing for everyone on campus.

With students set to return to on-site learning in schools, and COVID-19 cases rising, Firbank Grammar School will be the first school to provide rapid COVID-19 testing and will shortly be offering on-site booster vaccination doses.

- Stieve De Lance

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The Local Paper - Wednesday, October 20, 2021 - Page 3

Local People: 3

More time for pool certificate

■ Victorians now have more time to get their pool and spa safety barriers inspected and certified as compliant, with the Satte Government acknowledging the challenges imposed by the coronavirus pandemic.

Richard Wynne, Minister for Planning, extended the deadline for owners to lodge certificates of pool and spa barrier compliance with their local council, in recognition of the limited opportunity for building inspectors to visit homes during the pandemic.

The first certificate lodgement deadline will be extended from November 1 to June 1, 2022, with subsequent lodgement deadlines also moved back to June 2023 and June 2024 respectively.

This extension acknowledges the extra pressure that coronavirus is placing on families, as well as the challenge of finding building practitioners to inspect and certify safety barriers and fix any identified non-compliance.

In December 2019 the Government amended the Building Regulations to introduce new requirements to improve the safety of private swimming pools and spas.

The regulations include requirements for owners to register their swimming pools and

● Richard Wynne

spas with their local council. The registration deadline was November 1, 2020, and any owners who have not yet registered their pool or spa are encouraged to make an application to council as soon as possible. Failure to register may attract a council infringement notice of up to $363.

Owners must also have a registered building surveyor or inspector certify the continuing compliance of their safety barrier every four years.

Drowning is the most common cause of preventable death for young children and in Victoria most fatal drownings of young children occur in backyard swimming pools.

“While it remains vital for owners to take necessary steps to ensure the safety of their pools and spas, it makes sense to extend the certification deadline given current circumstances,” aid Mr Wynne.

“Meeting the safety standards for private pools and spas is a small ask with potentially lifesaving consequences – these regulations will save lives and will help prevent children drowning in backyard pools.” vba.vic.gov.au - Richard Wynne

Solar systems bring savings

■ Solar panels will be installed on six community facilities in coming months, as Yarra Ranges Shire Council’s rollout of solar systems edges closer to its 4000th panel.

New solar power systems will be installed on Seville Preschool, Hanson Park Preschool and Palm Grove Preschools, the Golden Wattle Club, CIRE’s Community House in Mt Evelyn and the Warburton Waterwheel before February 2022.

Funding for these systems has been provided by the Council and the Federal Government’s Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Fund, with Council installing each system.

Chirnside Ward Councillor, Richard Higgins, said the systems will help community facilities to reduce their ongoing power bills, and their environmental impacts.

“Though COVID-19 restrictions have kept a lot of us at home, our teams have been working to install more solar power systems on buildings throughout the community,” he said.

“In recent months, Council has installed systems on three preschools in the Chirnside Ward – Bimbadeen Preschool, Chirnside Park Preschool and Rolling Hills Preschool. These projects, also funded by the Federal Government, will save our local preschools money, while reducing greenhouse emissions from electricity.

“These new systems, and those set for preschools and community buildings, will reduce greenhouse gas emissions and give something back to the community, by dramatically reducing power bills for the people using these facilities.

“Earlier this year, we ran a survey for community members using buildings that could benefit from solar installations.

“More than half of respondents said that they would use savings to update existing equipment and resources, while 32 per cent said they would be able to offer extra programs or services to the community.

“I’m proud that we’ve been able to help these community groups with installations, which will put money back into the community, instead of sending it to power companies.

“I’d like to thank the Federal Government’s Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Fund for supporting these projects and helping us to get this work done.”

Yarra Ranges Council has installed 3973 solar panels to date, on 52 public and community facilities.

These solar installation projects align with Council’s Liveable Climate Plan, which outlines major goals for reducing Council’s environmental impacts and switching to renewable energy – such as 100% renewable energy use in Council services and infrastructure from 2030, net

Local Briefs Court List Seymour Magistrates’ Court Criminal Court List Friday, October 22 Victoria Police - Woosnam, J (31061) v Baker, Kane Owen. Uni-Nagambie Victoria Police - Zeffert, K (37093) v Camilleri, Francis. State Highway Patrol South East Victoria Police - Tucknott, R (37446) v Evangelista, Anthony. Uni-Yea Transport Accident Commission - Evans, S v Paros, James. Transport Accident Commission Victoria Police - Entink, H (45135) v Singh, Kulwinder. Uni-Broadmeadows Victoria Police - Wills, T (45942) v Smith, Michael. Uni-Rosebud Community Corrections Centre - Keem, C v Smith, Michael Sreven. Community Corrections Centre Victoria Police - Rhead, A (40227) v Smith, Michael Steven. Uni-Seymour Victoria Police - Long, R (26551) v Troianos, Gerasimos. Heavy Vehicle Unit - Magistrates’ Court of Victoria

COVID testing

■ Some 68,702 COVID-19 tests were processed in Victoria on Monday (Oct. 18) If you are concerned about losing money from missing work to get a test, support is available – including the $450 test isolation payment.

For more information, go to www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au/financial-support To find your nearest COVID-19 testing site, visit www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au/ where-get-tested-covid-19 Operating hours and wait times will vary.

To access the most up-to-date information on COVID-19 in Victoria, visit www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au or call the 24hour Coronavirus Hotline on 1800 675 398.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people can also call the Victorian Aboriginal COVID Information Line on 1800 312 911.

Callers will speak with Aboriginal staff who can answer questions about COVID19 and direct them to relevant support services. The information line is open from 9 am to 5 pm, 7 days a week.

- Department of Health and local health professionals

Const. charged

● Solar panels are being installed at six Yarra Ranges facilities.

‘These projects, also funded by the Federal Government, will save our local preschools money, while reducing greenhouse emissions from electricity.’ zero operational spend on electricity by 2040 and net zero emissions by 2040.

Cr Higgins said that all the solar systems installed by Council has resulted in a total capacity of over 1.17 MWp – enough to power over 650 homes.

“There’s been an incredible body of work at Council to help reduce our impact on the environment, since the mid-2000s.

“We’re seeing the benefits of that work now, as we save hundreds of thousands of dollars in electricity bills and watch our organisation’s emissions plummet,” Cr Higgins said.

“I’m proud of the work being done here, and look forward to us meeting our goals and helping the community to adapt to this space along the way.”

Yarra Ranges Council is part of the Solar Savers program, which helps provide community members with affordable solar panels for their home; Energy Savers for Business, which assists small businesses to save money by installing solar, switching to energy-efficient appliances and lighting and; Environmental Upgrade Agreements, where large businesses can access funding to upgrade to more energy efficient equipment and install renewable energy systems with a low-interest loan. ● Cr Richard Higgins - Yarra Ranges Shire Council

■ A senior constable from Transit and Public Safety Command has been charged following an internal investigation.

The 33-year-old male officer was charged with 30 offences including producing child abuse material and firearms offences.

The charges relate to alleged incidents in while the officer was off duty.

He has been bailed to face a court at a later date.

- Victoria Police

$7200 contribution

■ The Mansfield Emergency Precinct Committee has contributed $7,200 to a scoping study into the Mansfield Emergency Services Precinct.

The scoping study, which is jointly funded by the Council, will build Council’s understanding of the potential for a precinct and detail what is required, which resources could be shared and the best location for the precinct.

Mayor Cr Mark Holcombe said community feedback demonstrated strong support for better resources for local emergency services.

“This project is a great example of how the community and Council can work together to build a better future for the Mansfield Shire,” said Cr Holcombe.

Chair of the Mansfield Emergency Precinct Committee, Ellen Hogan, said the Committee was delighted to be able to financially support this project.

Council will continue to partner with the Mansfield Emergency Precinct Committee to apply for funding for a future feasibility study and detailed design.

- Mansfield Shire Council

Page 4 - The Local Paper - Wednesday, October 20, 2021

Mernda upgrade

■ The City of Whittlesea will upgrade the Bridge Inn Rd and Sackville St intersection in Mernda to improve safety for motorists and pedestrians.

The work will include the installation of traffics lights, asphalt upgrade, the realignment of the footpath and new street lighting.

The works are scheduled to start by early November and will take approximately three months to complete. - Whittlesea Council

Thanks to these local contributors

Local contributors include: ■ Ann Argent, Central Bowls Division.

■ Stephen Baker, Seymour Railway Heritage Centre.

■ Julie Blyth, Y Water Discovery Centre.

■ Liz Bower, Nanna’s Makers Market.

■ Laura Caine, Kinglake Ranges Neighbourhood House.

■ Beth Caldow, Shepparton Festival.

■ Meagan Callander, Middle Kinglake Primary School.

■ Bonnie Cavanagh, Broadford Football Netball Club.

■ Viv Cavanagh, Yea Bowls Club.

■ Gayle Cole, Kinglake Friends of the Forest.

■ Stuart Dale, Albert Edward Lodge, Alexandra Masonic Centre.

■ Paul Denham, Buxton CFA. ■ Holly Ditchfield, Eltham Jazz Festival.

■ Andrew Embling, Alexandra Truck Show.

■ Chrissy Eustace, Rotary Club of Kinglake Ranges.

■ Patrick Evans, Yea Football Netball Club.

■ Hannah Graham, Green Wedge.

■ Sam Hicks, Fawcett Hall, Alexandra Indoor Pool.

■ Ryan Hurst, Kinglake Football Netball Club.

■ Alison Huth, YAPPERS, and Yea Arts.

■ Bev Johns, Kinglake.

■ Ross Malcolm, sports photographs.

■ Rhyll McCormack, Mountain Cattlemen.

■ Kelly McLeish, Yea CFA. ■ Shannon Mittrow, Alexandra SES. ■ Sara Murray, Alexandra Show.

■ Eden Elizabeth Nicholls, St Luke’s Anglican Church, Yea and Molesworth.

■ Alan Pell, Yea Golf Club.

■ Pam Petersen, Alexandra Christmas Tree Festival.

■ Brian Phillips, Yea Football Netball Club.

■ David Purcell, Healesville Amateur Race Club.

■ Peter Rice, UGFM - Radio Murrindindi.

■ Clinton Robinson, Kinglake Football Netball Club.

■ Sacred Heart Primary School, Yea. ■ Michaela Sargeant, Goulburn Valley Water.

■ Denis Smith, Yea St Pats Race Club.

■ Megan Smithwick, Whittlesea activities.

■ Ian Staff, Whittlesea Table Tennis, agricultural items.

■ Steels Creek Grapevine, newsletter.

■ Sarah Stevenson, Thornton Eildon District Football Netball Club.

■ Ray Steyger, Alexandra Football Netball Club.

■ Jeffrey Swain, Yea-Kinglake RSL, Alexandra-Mansfield-Yea Legacy.

■ Cat Thomas, Upper Goulburn Landcare Network.

■ Heidi Twining, Victoria Police.

■ Nikki Vanderwerf, Alexandra District Health.

■ Iris Vrzovski, Bollygum Community Market.

■ Ash Walsh, Yea Football Netball Club.

■ Caroline Weeks, Murrindindi Beanie and Fibre Festival.

■ Peter Weeks, Alexandra SES. ■ Glenda Woods, Rotary Club of Yea.

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Local People: 4

Comment on new policy ■ Yarra Ranges residents are invited to share their thoughts on Council’s revised procurement policy, which outlines how Council will work with businesses and contractors until 2025.

Councillors voted to release the Draft Procurement Policy 2021-25 for community feedback, with community members able to provide feedback until November 10.

Yarra Ranges Mayor, Cr Fiona McAllister said the Procurement Policy outlined how Council supports local suppliers and local economic development.

“Council works with hundreds of local businesses over any given year for goods and services when it undertakes its work – from contractors and printing, through to minor works and major projects,” she said.

“Our Procurement Policy outlines how we’ll procure these services, following competitive processes like requesting quotes and running tenders for purchasing goods, works and services.

“We’ve made changes to how we seek and secure this work, including a requirement that we seek quotes from local businesses and consider the environmental and social impacts of our suppliers.

● Cr Fiona McAllister

“Council seeking goods and services from local businesses not only helps the work that we do, but supports local economies and business owners, so being transparent in how we work with businesses is extremely important.

“The changes to our policy, following the implementation of the new Victorian Local Government Act 2020, proposes a principle of Community Benefit, a mandatory requirement to seek at least one quote from local businesses wherever possible, to consider collaborative procurement with other Councils, and an increase to public tender thresholds.

The Community Benefit principle outlines how we’ll achieve social, economic and environmental outcomes through the businesses we work with.

“I’d encourage anyone in the community – particularly those with businesses who have worked, or may want to work with Council – to have a look at the draft policy and share your thoughts with us before November 10.”

The draft Procurement Policy guides bestpractice outcomes including value for money, open competition, accountability, risk management, probity and transparency.

- Yarra Ranges Shire Council

● Mary-Anne Thomas

remove unwanted fruit trees, trial new monitoring methods and apply new crop waste management techniques on farm.

The grants are a key part of the Government’s Fruit Fly Strategy 2021-25 which has been developed in close consultation with industry and will deliver awareness programs that empower the community and growers to keep their crops free of damage from fruit fly.

“Fruit fly can build up in home gardens and unmanaged lands, leading to problems on productive farms – that’s why we are empowering industry and local communities to lead the management of Queensland fruit fly,” said Ms Thomas.

“Our fruit fly management programs in key horticultural regions are vital and I look forward to see how these grants will support regional fruit fly coordinators to work on the ground to manage this major economic pest.”

This is part of the Government’s $6.4 million investment announced in the Victorian Budget 2021-22 to manage Queensland fruit fly and protect horticultural production and jobs.

The funding is in addition to more than $2 million invested annually by the Victorian Government in fruit fly management.

- Mary-Anne Thomas

● Martin Pakula

for cooking demonstrations and hosting dinners to sample produce.

The space also provides Victorian agribusinesses with the opportunity to tailor events to meet Chinese consumer demand by offering seasonal produce tastings in the facility’s chilled and frozen display area.

Vic House will support existing and prospective Victorian exporters to access this key market where demand for Victoria’s high-quality food and fibre products remains strong. China is Victoria's largest food and fibre export market with sales worth $4.75 billion in 2019-20.

Vic House is supported through the Victorian Government’s $15 million Food to Market Program and $5 million Pathways to Export Program. Three agriculture export specialists were appointed in key markets for Victorian food and fibre, including Southeast Asia, the Middle East and North Africa.

The new pavilionis part of the Government’s commitment to supporting Victoria’s agricultural producers and exporters to access a wide range of markets across the globe, said a media statement.

- Mary-Anne Thomas

Support for fruit fly management

■ The State Government is supporting key fruit production regions across the state to protect their produce from the destructive impacts of Queensland Fruit Fly. Mary-Anne Thomas, Minister for Agriculture, yesterday (Tue.) announced $2.9 million in Fruit Fly Strategy grants for the Greater Sunraysia, Goulburn Murray Valley and Yarra Valley regions. This funding will support fruit fly management programs, explore new ways to manage the pest and employ full-time regional coordinators.

Fruit flies can be a major pest, damaging a range of fruit and vegetable crops. Queensland fruit fly can impact production and markets for horticulture industries, which export more than $1.6 billion of produce.

Under Round One of the $5.3 million program, funding has been awarded to the following organisations to deliver region-wide programs on behalf of Regional Fruit Fly Governance groups: Mildura Rural City Council (Greater Sunraysia) Moira Shire Council (Goulburn Murray Valley) Agribusiness Yarra Valley (Yarra Valley).

Fruit fly management programs will plan for the long term, engage local communities to help protect neighbouring horticultural production,

How to grow agribusiness: MP

■ “Exports play a critical role in Victoria’s economy and it’s important that we continue to invest in established and emerging markets for future growth,” said Martin Pakula, State Minister for Trade.

His comments came with the announcement of that the State Government is supporting agribusinesses to grow their global sales and reach new markets through a new state-of-theart trade facility in China.

Mary-Anne Thomas, Minister for Agriculture, this week launched Vic House – the Victorian Food and Fibre Trade Pavilion in Shanghai – which provides Victorian agriculture producers and exporters with a dedicated in-market space to showcase their products.

The pavilion has been developed to support established, emerging and start-up food and fibre export businesses and will allow Victoria’s agriculture sector to strengthen existing trade relationships, build new networks and boost export opportunities.

The dedicated three-story facility features rooms to conduct virtual business meetings with importers and retailers, high-end supermarket shelving for product display and a full kitchen