6th September_B_2023

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THURSDAY min 1° max 16°

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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. Registered by Australia Post, Publication No. VAC 4217.

WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 6th 2023.

$2.00

Circulating in:- St. Arnaud, Charlton, Donald, Rupanyup, Bealiba, Stawell, Marnoo, Navarre, Dunolly, Wycheproof, Wedderburn, Birchip, Korong Vale, Stuart Mill, Redbank, Avoca & Moonambel.

(Incl. GST)

Market Square carpark dominates Monday’s Council meeting WITH one petition already to be considered the ‘Save Market Square carpark’ group had a second and much larger petition tabled at this week’s Northern Grampians Shire Council (NGSC) meeting. Although the meeting dealt with the first petition early in this week’s meeting it was not until the Urgent business that debate occurred. The second petition was introduced at Urgent Business by Cr. Hyslop and at Public Question Time Deb Jenkins introduced the petition saying that there were over 500 signatures involved plus nearly two hundred online signatures representing around one third of the residents of St. Arnaud. “This is evidence that the population of St. Arnaud is overwhelming against the location of the PrePrep Modular building in the Market Square carpark. Ms Jenkins also wanted to know in her question why it is decided to move the location from the mostsuitable Primary School location. “There is no room for

expansion of the ELC in the Market Square carpark” Ms Jenkins said. Cr Karen Hyslop moved that the second ‘Save Market Square Carpark’ and another one, ‘Save Option 4’ with a much smaller response of 250 odd signatures be accepted. Cr Hyslop also attempted to defer the decision until all sides and issues had been considered. “We need to take the time to consider this issue. “Maybe there is another location that may satisfy both sides” Cr Hyslop said. Cr Hyslop’s motion (supported with a seconding from Cr Murray Emerson in order to get debate on this issue), was defeated, 6 votes to 1 vote.

Foreshadowing a motion Cr. Murray Emerson foreshadowed a motion

that he would put when he had all the facts in his possession. Cr Emerson stated that too long a delay may jeopardise the project completely. “There is no reason why we can’t have a separate Council meeting to consider this matter between the monthly meetings”. Cr. Rob Haswell spoke that the issue is one of whether we want to educate our children or retain a few carpark spaces. “We have a golden opportunity to take care of an urgent need” he said. He believed that the issue was if the modular building is not located in the Market Square carpark then St. Arnaud will miss the opportunity to have the buildings at all. Cr. Er win spoke summing up that the issue was one of position and that all sides

Above: The Market Square carpark that is now the centre of attention in St. Arnaud with the proposal to use about half of it for PrePrep Modular buildings. want the PrePrep modules.

1st Petition The first petition was considered and it was recommended, moved and carried, that “the Council notes the commentary in the report in respect of the issues raised in the petition in respect of the St. Arnaud PrePrep Modular building location and that this commentary be the basis for responding to the head petitioner”.

Project background The background of the project was noted that the Victorian Government has committed to fully fund modular buildings on school sites and other appropriate sites

owned by not-for-profit providers or Government entities, to accommodate the additional demand. The expansion of kindergarten hours will assist in addressing issues associated with high levels of socioeconomic disadvantage and poor early achievement for our children, and it is also an opportunity for Council to address some of the existing problems with the current provision of Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) in St. Arnaud. The provision of a new building with an additional 66 places may ease the current pressure for long day places at the Early Learning Centre (ELC) in St. Arnaud. At present, the high

demand for services has resulted in the waiting list being closed. At least 60 children require ECEC at our St Arnaud centre. Over 90 percent of the families of these children live or work in the municipality. Following exploration of alternative sites, Council agreed to proceed with the site proposed by the VSBA at the St. Arnaud Primary School. Following concerns raised by the community about this site, Council considered additional optional sites. Sites considered included a site adjacent to the St. Arnaud Primary School and multiple siting’s within the Market Square

area, due to the build being permitted in these areas under the Planning Scheme and their proximity to the existing ELC. Consultation occurred but according to members of the Save Market Square campaign consultation did not widened to include other members of the community other than those that had children.

Unpleasant division More than one councillor indicated that there was considerable anger attached to this decision and that it was dividing St. Arnaud in a most unpleasant way. Cr. Emerson finished the debate by saying that it was not over and that there will be more on this issue.

Firefighter of the Year St. Arnaud CFA Captain Rodney Wilton presented the 2022/23 St. Arnaud Firefighter of the Year to 20 year old Hamish Bibby at the CFA Annual Presentation Dinner held on Saturday night at the St. Arnaud Country Club...See story and pics page 12.

O’Connors acquired by US Ag company Titan Above: Some of the staff at the St. Arnaud Branch of O’Connors last week. ...Full story on page 8.


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