Page 12 The Moorabool News – 17 May, 2022
News
Council budget out for comment
By Lachlan Ellis
Council’s latest budget and a review of the Council Plan will go out to the public for community consultation, after Council unanimously voted to put them on exhibition at an ‘unscheduled Meeting of Council’ last week. While the two recommendations to consider the Proposed Budget and Council Plan passed quickly, Mayor Cr Tom Sullivan and Cr Rod Ward took a moment to thank Council staff for their work behind the scenes in preparing the documents. “Thank you very much Councillors, and thank you Officers for preparation of all that documentation. It might have seemed like it went through in a few minutes, but I know there’s a lot of work that went on in the background,” Cr Sullivan said. “I want to commend the staff on putting together the update, it’s a fantastic document and very informative for Councillors and residents of Moorabool Shire,” Cr Ward added. Both voted in favour of the two motions, as did Crs Tonia Dudzik and Moira Berry – a unanimous vote from Councillors present. Crs David Edwards and Ally Munari were apologies at the meeting, while Cr Paul Tatchell was unable to connect to the meeting via livestream, due to technical issues. Submissions for the Proposed 2022/23 Annual Budget close at 5 pm on Thursday 9 June 2022, while submissions for the 2021-2025 Council Plan (2022 Update) close at 5 pm on Tuesday 7 June 2022. You can have your say on the Proposed Budget or the Council Plan via Council’s website, at moorabool.engagementhub.com.au/2022-23-annual-budget. Feedback can also be made via email to info@moorabool.vic.gov.au, or in writing addressed to: The Chief Executive Officer, Budget Submission, Moorabool Shire Council, PO Box 18, Ballan VIC 3342. For written submissions to the Council plan, replace the ‘Budget Submission’ line with ‘Council Plan 2021-25 (2022 update)’. Submissions for the Budget and Council Plan will be considered at the Special Meeting of Council on Wednesday 15 June 2022, with any changes to be made before the vote on Wednesday 22 June 2022.
Email - news@themooraboolnews.com.au
Photo - VICSES Bacchus Marsh Unit.
Another rescue in gorge
By Lachlan Ellis SES volunteers and Victoria Police have completed at least the third rescue this year at Lerderderg Gorge, with a call issued for hikers to ensure they are well prepared and informed before they begin their walk. Emergency services were notified at around 6:45 pm on Sunday 8 May that two hikers had become lost, after wandering off marked tracks in the dark. Deputy Controller of Assets and Facilities at the Bacchus Marsh SES Unit, Keith Muller, said hikers often “greatly underestimate the degree of difficulty of the walks”. “We were called to an "Assist Police RE Lost Hiker" in the Lerderderg Gorge and met up with VicPol at Mackenzies Flat picnic area at 6.50 pm. There were two people lost and their location not certain, but we were expecting them to be close to Emergency Marker LER504. Three members walked in to the marker at which the walking track ends, then walked upstream criss-crossing the river for approximately 1.5 kilometres. At this point it was decided to call it off at 10.30 pm as the risk was becoming too great,” Mr Muller told the Moorabool News. “VicPol AirWing were then called to determine the location of the lost persons in relation to our position, and it turned out we were within 200 metres of them.
Airwing thought winching much too great a risk for them considering our position, so we continued to meet up with the two lost persons. It was then a two-hour walk out back to the picnic area reaching this at 1 am.” Mr Muller said there have been “at least three to four rescues” in the Lerderderg Gorge this year, “and about the same in the Werribee Gorge”, with “close to 15 total rescues over a 12-month period”. But these can be avoided, he said, if hikers make sure they’re fully prepared before venturing out onto a new track. “Hikers need to research the walks better using Australian web sites – the last two rescues, hikers were using American hiking trails apps. They need to read the Parks Vic signs rather than a glance, have quality maps or apps, be better prepared with a backpack with plenty of water, snacks, food, torch, basic first aid including snake bandages, a power bank to charge phones, spare clothing, et cetera,” Mr Muller said. “Let someone know and set expected times for returning, take note of the Emergency Markers as you go, and most importantly: if it looks wrong, it probably is.” The two hikers were thankfully uninjured, with the SES’ main concern being the chilly night they were hiking in, especially given the hikers’ light clothing and lack of supplies.
Free family violence network to open A new Orange Door is opening just on the outskirts of Moorabool, providing support for more women, children, and families experiencing family violence. Complementing the Central Highlands Orange Door Network which opened in Ballarat in 2020, Brimbank Melton will offer support by phone and email, face-toface in Melton and Sunshine, and through outposted and outreach services across the region. The free service will assist adults, children and young people who are experiencing or have experienced family violence, and families needing support with the wellbeing and development of their children. Minister for Prevention of Family Violence, Gabrielle Williams, said the State Government was committed to making support available to all Victorians. “When experiencing family violence, reaching out for help may be the hardest thing a person will do. We are making sure that accessing advice and support is as easy as possible, no matter where you live,” Ms Williams said. “The Orange Door in Brimbank Melton will offer a streamlined way for women, children, young people and families to get the help they need in a secure and compassionate environment.”
“The Orange Door means, for the first time, local families will be able to access coordinated family violence, child and family wellbeing services and support – in Melton,” Member for Melton Steve McGhie added. The Orange Door Network was a key recommendation of the Royal Commission into Family Violence, and has assisted more than 216,000 people across Victoria, including more than 87,000 children, since it commenced in 2018. It brings together workers from specialist family violence, men’s, Aboriginal and child and family services, to provide coordinated, multi-disciplinary support, including crisis assistance and support, risk assessments, safety planning and wellbeing support. Brimbank Melton is a collaboration between five local service partners: GenWest, Western Health, Victorian Aboriginal Child Care Services, Victorian Aboriginal Community Services Association and MacKillop Family Services, in partnership with the State Government. The Orange Door in Brimbank Melton is on track to begin support services later this year. For more information about the Orange Door, visit www.orangedoor.vic.gov.au.
Michaela Settle MP opened the Orange Door facility in Ballarat. Photo - submitted