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MANSFIELD COURIER - Wednesday, January 24, 2024 - Page 1
2022
Incorporating
Wednesday, January 24, 2024
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Country
High
Your guide for what’s
on over Australia Day
Holiday 2024
try Our stunning High Coun rs ito vis er mm su a mecca for spread out on the have plenty of areas to Bonnie Doon water and foreshores from to moor. to Goughs Bay and Jamieson another is Nearby Lake Nillahcootie destination fishing and water sports environment offering a family-friendly water marks. and also enjoying high an ideal time The warmer months are Rail Trail that to explore the Victorian Information Mansfield the the lake. begins near High or on foot. Visitors have flocked to the Centre by bicycle, horse and New Year of Mt Country over the Christmas Or take to the cooler climate of the in the Australia views period and look set to take Stirling to take in stunning remainder of mountains on the hiking Day long weekend and the to enjoy the fun surrounding to Bindaree Falls to watch summer through to March tracks or drive offers. from on high and delights this region the water cascade down boating tree ferns. With Lake Eildon at capacity, surrounded by lush green 5 jet ski ■ Continued page enthusiasts and water skiers, and swimmers lovers, keen fishermen,
By LYNN ELDER
to roll THE summer days continue to on with no shortage of activitiesnearby to the enjoy, whether escaping the views, mountains to marvel at refreshing rivers, cooling off in one of our sports on or taking advantage of water
are on the Mt Stirling summit among the wild flowers PHOTO: Lynn Elder in the spectacular views during their January holidays. MOUNTAIN HIGH: Taking (left) and Linda Dowey NSW visitors Renee Herboldt
16 page feature
Page 5
PROUD TO BE AN AUSSIE
REV THOSE ENGINES AFTER the amazing success of the inaugural event last year, Horsepower in the High Country returns this Saturday to the Botanic Park as part of the Australia Day long weekend line-up. More than a show’n shine - the annual event is family and community-friendly, with all funds raised donated to Mansfield Autism Statewide Services. An initiative of the Delatite Drivers Car Club and organised in collaboration with Mansfield Shire Council, all makes and models of specialty cars are welcome to participate. Embracing all things motoring ahead of Saturday’s event are (from left) Mayor Cr Steve Rabie, Mansfield Autism Statewide Services CEO Simone Reeves, with members of the Delatite Drivers Car Club Tony Browne, Brad Stephens, Allan Jones and (in front) Cameron McGann, Judd Harrop and Haley Tudor Harrop. PHOTO: Emma Oliver
Sport
EAGLES, ECHUCA EASTER BATTLE
Zoning confusion Rural ratepayer’s p y primary p y concern of over-paid p rates nets council refund BARWITE resident id t Dan D Harrop has recently been credited over-paid rates after successfully querying a change in categorisation on his Mansfield Shire rates notice that saw his farmland property re-classified as rural residential. Mr Harrop has had the Melba Road property for close to 20 years, with the 40 hectare property one of the larger properties in the
BY EMMA OLIVER eoliver@ nemedia.com.au
immediate vicinity. The overlay is farming and the property itself had always been zoned farmland, until recently when - along with a rates increase – the zoning changed. “Over the years I’ve run
cows and and d calves, l d sheep,” h ” said Mr Harrop. “I’ve bought steers from down near Omeo, and sold livestock on through Shepparton; Yea on occasion; and once or twice through Wangaratta. “I’m registered with Meat and Livestock Australia along with the National Livestock Identification System, and have the requisite property
identifi id tification ti code.” d ” So when it came to using the land as a farming enterprise Mr Harrop ticked those boxes. The change in rates occurred when he transferred the property over into his wife’s name a couple of years ago, but it was only last year that he noted the discrepancy. Neither he nor his wife had been informed that
the th rates t had h d changed, h d nor given an explanation as to why. However, when Mr Harrop alerted council to the issue, he was at first met with confusion and then the assertion that the property was indeed rural residential (RZ1) and that to be recognised as farmland he would have to re-apply for consideration – at which point he refused.
“I’m “I’ already l d zoned d as that, I don’t need to re-apply to be,” he said. With the new categorisation of his land, Mr Harrop then enquired as to whether he could now make an application to subdivide the property. “I’m getting older, I don’t need 100 acres,” he said. “I’d be happy with 50 acres. ■ Continued page 2
End Of Season Factory Clearance TAKE AN A ADDITIONAL
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