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St. Arnaud, Charlton, Wedderburn & Surrounding Districts
Est. 1864
18 Napier Street, St. Arnaud. 3478. - Advertising & Editorial Material - Ph.: (03) 5495 1055; Fax.: (03) 5495 1937. Email: ncn@iinet.net.au Published weekly.
WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 4th 2023.
Registered by Australia Post, Publication No. VAC 4217.
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Circulating in:- St. Arnaud, Charlton, Donald, Rupanyup, Bealiba, Stawell, Marnoo, Navarre, Dunolly, Wycheproof, Wedderburn, Birchip, Korong Vale, Stuart Mill, Redbank, Avoca & Moonambel.
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Council passes long term plan for Childcare and PrePrep in St. Arnaud IN the absence of a decision on exactly where the State Government PrePrep modular buildings for 3yr old and 4yr old children will go, Councillor Eddy Ostarcevic, at Monday’s meeting of the Northern Grampians Shire Council, put forward a motion to assess both the need and the requirement in the longer term for infrastructure and the proposal for an integrated facility with the necessary space for the required expansion. What has been lacking in the time since the State Government chose Northern Grampians as one of the sites that they would be targeting for PrePrep modules, is a review of the facilities and its requirements, a true picture of the waiting list and where a dedicated space would be located for a more permanent facility. What Cr. Ostarcevic’s motion does is establish what is the exact need currently and whether there is growth expected in those figures. There has been debate on the exact number on the waiting list as the list has been closed and therefore the possibility that there are much greater numbers than the initial 60 is probable. The figure must be established.
Based on this review therefore would be the planning for an integrated facility to maximize staffing resources. A timeframe has been established of five years after which time the permanent infrastructure would be required to be operational. Also part of Cr. Ostarcevic’s motion was the need to protect Market Square car park and the green space used by the extended community by zoning appropriately. The new motion will also provide that the community by way of engagement will be provided with the details of the review, the costs involved and any relevant information to the development.
Above: The Market Square carpark where it is planned to use around half of the space for temporary PrePrep Modular buildings.
Petitions received for both sides Council accepted two petitions at Monday’s meeting. One representing saving Market Square carpark and a second, with less signatures, supporting the Option 4 Market Square location for the PrePrep modules. The first petition against the use of Market Square carpark called for the original motion to be rescinded but it was pointed out that the L ocal Government Act of 2020 does not allow councils to rescind motions, but does allow that a different motion on the same subject be put to a council vote. Cr. Karen Hyslop commented that the numbers of people
involved in both the hard copy petition and the online petition, around 1,000, meant that Council could not ignore the wishes of this huge number of residents. Many of the councilors commented that significant time has been and is being given to coming up with an alternative location for the buildings but that no decision has been made at this time. Both petitions were noted.
Framework Plan for St. Arnaud accepted The St. Arnaud Framework Plan was accepted at the meeting which sets a vision for the long term land use and development of St. Arnaud.
It highlights St Arnaud’s strategic location in the Northern Grampians as the shire’s second largest township and sets out future growth and development directions for housing, commercial and industrial development to reinforce St. Arnaud as a key district centre. Cr. Ostarcevic said that the document represents the centrepiece for applications for funding and as such is a key for the shire. The plan indicates concentrations of heritage buildings and open spaces in the renowned main streets are vulnerable to neglect and demolition. It calls for the protection of these buildings as a key priority for St. Arnaud’s economic future and civic pride.
Brian’s encounter with a big and dangerous Buck SUNDAY night Brian “Macca” O’Donnell was attacked by a big buck kangaroo while checking a cow that is due to calf in his paddock at his Kell Road property.
REMINDER The St. Arnaud Show is on this weekend, 7th and 8th October. Lots of family fun, agricultural events, craft and horse events. Your choice of pizzas, Fish and Chips, donuts, soft serve icecream or baked potatoes. Blacksmithing demonstrations, shearing, photography and horse jumping. Do not miss this event.
• More information - page 5
Above: A close up of Brian’s leg, the most severe of the cuts
Above: Brian O’Donnell after his tangle with a big buck roo; torn pants and a nasty gash.
He was trying to push the kangaroo over the fence out of his property but the buck led him to a dam and attacked him there. Brian’s wife Sue thinks he was trying to get him in the dam to drown him. Although Brian was on a 110 Honda motorbike, the buck would have easily have been 7ft high and he knocked him off the bike. When Brian managed to stand up the buck had wrapped himself around him. Brian repeatedly pushed him away until he was able to stand up the bike and get away. While he was starting the bike the buck was coming at him again. If the bike hadn’t started Brian and Sue are sure the buck would have dragged him to the dam and drowned him, something they are known to do with small animals. Brian has sustained substantial injuries, including a
deep wound to his leg requiring many stitches. He has scratch marks over his back where the buck had wrapped his paws around him plus lots of other superficial scratches and cuts. His shorts and t-shirt were also ripped on his body. This is a warning to others of the injuries these animals can do to a human and just how clever they are when they go on the attack. Sue said that they have always had a great many kangaroos in their paddocks, unfortunately, and Brian does regularly go and shoo them back over the fences, which is what he was trying to do on Sunday night. “The buck was obviously being protective of his herd and that is why he attacked. “We feel people should be aware of the dangers that these so called protected cuddly animals can do. “Don’t go near them particularly the big bucks” Sue said.
Above: Brian and Sue on Monday recovering from the encounter with a huge buck kangaroo.