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Monday, November 21, 2022
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A BUICK BEAUTY PAS Martino and his 1927 Buick Master Six drew more than a fleeting glance from many who attended yesterday’s Wangaratta Lions Club Swap Meet at the Wangaratta Showgrounds. “She’s a beauty, in need of some work and she’s for sale,” enthused Pas, who had arguably the biggest single ticket item at the meet. Full story page 3. PHOTO: Jeff Zeuschner
Ovens Valley candidates Page 4
Honouring our CFA volunteers Page 5
Rovers prevail over ’Pies in GF rematch Sport
ROADS TO RUIN Council seeks disaster funding g as estimated flood damage g to roads tops p $ $5 million
FLOOD damage to local roads throughout the Rural City of Wangaratta is already estimated at $5 million, with the costs expected to rise. Mayor Dean Rees said council had already begun to advocate for disaster funding from the Federal Government as the toll from what may be the wettest spring the rural city has
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BY JEFF ZEUSCHNER jzeuschner@ nemedia.com.au
seen in a century continues to mount. “We’re looking at around $5 million in support for damages to local roads and bridge infrastructure,” he said yesterday while
inspecting roads for further damage in the wake of overnight storms which dumped 16mm of rain on the city. The rainfall - which takes the city’s November total past 100mm and the spring total past 366mm - triggered minor to potential moderate flood warnings on the King and Ovens rivers. “We feel by the end of this disaster the costs will
be towards the $6m mark, or higher,” Mayor Rees said. “When the dry weather comes we expect to see more damage from cracking on our roads. “While none of our local roads are closed to traffic, many are in bad condition with pot holes slowing down traffic and some could potentially cause flat tyres.” Mayor Rees said a con-
tributing factor was an inability to clear spoon drains and culverts of grass. “At the moment it’s too wet and boggy to clean them out...but we’re looking at getting special equipment to help,” he said. Mayor Rees said council had also been inspecting its regional roads and was advocating to Regional Roads Victoria to maintain
it works program. Councils from across the North East met last week to discuss local roads degradation, and push for disaster funding from the Federal Government. “We’ve met with Helen Haines (MHR, Indi) and Senator Bridget McKenzie to advocate for federal funding,” Mayor Rees said. ■ Continued page 2
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LIDGERWOOD’S FURNITURE &
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Monday - Friday: 9AM - 5.30PM Saturday: 9AM - NOON Sunday: CLOSED 5721 6565 40-46 Norton St, Wangaratta (Opposite the Railway Station)