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Est. 1864
St. Arnaud, Charlton, Wedderburn & Surrounding Districts
18 Napier Street, St. Arnaud. 3478. - Advertising & Editorial Material - Ph.: (03) 5495 1055; Fax.: (03) 5495 1937. Email: ncn@iinet.net.au Published weekly.
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WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER 15th 2023.
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Council abandons plan to site PrePrep in Market Square AT an unscheduled meeting of the Northern Grampians Shire Council on Monday 13th November, the locating of the PrePrep modular building was approved as not to be located at the Market Square site. Further, the motion paved the way for an investigation into how the Market Square area can be protected from any proposed development into the future, sanctioning the carpark and the greenspace area to remain for these intended purposes. In his motion to council Cr Eddy Ostarcevic clarified why the council had changed its position on the location. Af ter a councilengaged hydrologist assessed the proposed design and found that surrounding properties would be at risk of flooding to properties both upstream of the carpark and the Town Hall area.
Hydrologist findings The hydrologist report looked at two scenarios, one with building only and another at building with play area and developed
the expected change in flood levels and depths. In the first scenario with building only minor increases in flood level, between 3cm to 5cm would occur for existing buildings in Market Square south west of the kindergarten and the same levels along Napier Street to the south of the kindergarten. When examining the second scenario, the building plus the play area there would be significant increases in the flood level, with above 15cms for existing buildings in market Street and south west of the kindergarten. For buildings along Napier Street south of the kindergarten and downstream of the kindergarten north side of Walker Street, the estimated increase in flood levels was 5cm to 12cm. Although the first scenario found only
minimal increases in the flood level, the State Government requires all kindergartens to have adequate and interactive indoor and outdoor facilities and as a result that scenario was therefore not suitable. As the second scenario found that the level of flooding was unsatisfactory to cover the cost of remediation works that would be required. As the primar y school does not provide sufficient space for future integrated early facilities, then that site as well will not be a suitable location. A fully integrated facility caters for PrePrep and childcare within the same buildings and would suit working preschool parents. The report recommended that an alternative site for an integrated centre, alter-
Above: Northern Grampians Shire has approved that the Market Square area will not be the site for the new PrePrep modular buildings. PHOTO: Facebook Stephen Greenall. nate to both the Market Square and the Primary School, be investigated.
Education Department agrees on integrated facility Cr. Ostarcevic said that council remains committed to an integrated system of childcare and kindergarten and that the Education Department was in agreement with the Council that an alternative site should
be actively sort that accommodates an integrated facility. “The proposal to colocate the PrePrep at the Primary School must therefore be abandoned. Cr. Murray Emerson who seconded the motion said that this was not a perfect solution. “But we should be aware that council is doing its very best to get the best decision. “It will require community engagement and consultation to get
the best outcome for the community and for the PrePrep kids and for those waiting to get in”. There is no indication of how long the Education Department is prepared to wait for a decision on where to locate the PrePrep buildings, but as the primary school and Market Square locations were the only sites that would not require rezoning, planning and zoning timelines could jeopardise the project. Karen Probst who
Getley returned as Buloke Mayor
Judging day at Kaniva for Wimmera Ag Societies
COUNCILLOR Alan Getley has been re-elected for second term as Mayor of Buloke Shire Council with Cr Bronwyn Simpson elected as Deputy Mayor. Mayor Getley thanked Councillors for their support as returning Mayor and over last 12 months. “I stepped into the role at the onset of the flood, a highlight of the year on the back of the flood was our strong advocacy which was underlined by the announcement of betterment funding by the State Government, they listened and to the highlighted point of the Birchip-Wycheproof Road situation being mentioned during the MAV State Council opening address”. Cr Bronwyn Simpson, a Councillor since 2019, has been elected as Deputy Mayor for the first time.
The Council has set its meeting agenda for the upcoming year with Council Meetings scheduled to be held in Wycheproof on the second Wednesday of each month and Councillor Briefings listed for all towns across the year on the first and third Wednesdays of each month, excluding January. Also adopted at the meeting was the Appointment of Delegates, which allocates Councillors as representatives to a range of Committees, Groups and Boards. The appointment to these external bodies forms a key part of Council’s partnership work and collaboration with community and other stakeholders.
has been a leader of the community opposition to Market Square carpark being used said they were pleased that Council has stated Market Square will be protected into the future. “The community looks forward to working with Council to find a suitable site for Pre Prep. “We also look forward to improved communication from Council to the community in the future” she said.
IT was judging day at Kaniva last Sunday 12th November and all the winners from the Agricultural Societies in the Wimmera were judged. The Wimmera Ag Societies include the societies from Ararat, Dimboola, Donald, Goroke, Horsham, Jeparit, Kaniva, Murtoa, Natimuk, Nhill, Rainbow, Stawell, Warracknabeal as well as us here in St. Arnaud.
Local winners
Above: Cr Alan Getley and new Deputy Mayor Cr Bronwyn Simpson.
The local winners for St. Arnaud were: Bottle of Tomato Sauce, Jar Mustard Pickles, Jar Relish – 1st Prize Mrs Sandra McIntyre. Loaf of MultiGrain Bread made in a breadmaking machine – highly commended was Mrs Nicola Kirk. Congratulations to both these ladies from the St. Arnaud Pavilion Ag Society.