News
Page 8 The Moorabool News – 5 July, 2022
Email - news@themooraboolnews.com.au
Establishing the future direction President Ballan Chamber of Commerce Michael Ryan (middle) received the 2022-2027 5-year Strategic Plan from Anthony Galea and Sarah Maguire (Marmalade Sky), along with Chair Ballan District Community Bank Darren Rix (right), Bank Branch Manager Amanda Embling (left) and Central Ward Councillor Paul Tatchell (2nd left). Photo – Helen Tatchell
Local Businesses coming together to network, share information and ideas
By Helen Tatchell It is difficult to picture yourself in a boat on a river in Ballan however, the town does have tangerine trees and marmalade skies at certain times of the year. Just over three months ago, a survey was commissioned by the Ballan & District Chamber of Commerce, with Marmalade Sky Marketing (MSM) preparing a business and marketing plan using those survey results. The five-year 2022-2027 Strategic Plan was presented last week by Sarah Maguire and Anthony Galea (MSM) to the Chamber and also members of the Community Bank Ballan, who provided the $16,000 funding for the Plan, through a Community Investment Grant. President Michael Ryan said the conversation started 18-months ago of what they could or couldn’t do, and from that the plan was born to invest in a professional to start the ball rolling. “We talked with the local community bank and fortunately, they thought it was a good thing to do,” Mr Ryan told the Moorabool News. “The grant we received was to work on the 5-year strategic
plan for Ballan and surrounds. We came up with Marmalade Sky Marketing to do the work, after we put out to others for quotes, their presentation appealed to us.” Mr Ryan said although the Chamber is quite a small group, it was very important to do this project, “otherwise interest in the group could wane”. “It is something to look forward to and will offer challengers, as we do not want to lose members. This will give us a real boost,” he said. Part of the Strategy includes five key topics – Memberships, Events & Promotions, Digital Marketing & Communications, Streetscape and Tourism. There are different implementations for each Year, 1 through to Year 5. Central Ward Councillor Paul Tatchell said there was one item in the Plan, that he said is often ‘missing’ from other plans that come before him. “Measurement and Review is key to any strategic plan as it explains to Council how you are going to monitor and measure what you are doing, especially if Council is potentially, a funding contributor.” The Plan outlines processes to enable information and data to be gathered and collected.
Bee movement restrictions
Restrictions are now in place to prohibit the movement of bees from New South Wales into Victoria. Restrictions have been put in place by Agriculture Victoria, to prevent and control Varroa mite, as New South Wales respond to multiple detections near the Port of Newcastle. Victoria’s Deputy Chief Plant Health Officer Stephen Dibley said the measures were necessary to support the national response and ensure “we keep Varroa mite out of Victoria and protect our beekeepers”. “Varroa mite is a serious threat to Australia’s bee population and horticulture industries that rely on pollination,” Dr Dibley said. “The restrictions mean that no bees, hives or beekeeping equipment can be moved into Victoria from New South Wales without a permit. However, no permits will be granted while the NSW standstill is in place, to comply with NSW emergency orders.” These are in addition to the rules in New South Wales and other states.
“I would ask, possibly, the Economic Development Taskforce to do a report on the funding mechanism or model, but not use Council as that person you need to drive this. You need to be in control of your own destiny, and you sail the ship where you want it to go,” Cr Tatchell said. And how will the plan be implemented? Cr Tatchell said he would take the document to the next Assembly of Council and present it for consideration, with Sarah Maguire recommending a payment agreement but “it would all come down to your funding”. Mr Ryan there is a lot of energy and excitement about it all, but realistically to do the doing, “we need someone professionally to do it for us”. “If that is in your vision to do, to have someone take on that executive role, it is something we would recommend,” Ms Maguire said. Cr Tatchell said the costs need to be attained first on who is going to drive the project, “before we all get too excited”. You can view the 5-year Strategic Plan on the Chamber’s website – www.ballanchamberofcommerce.com.au
Dr Dibley said there had been no detections of Varroa mite in Victoria, and these restrictions are in place to prevent that from happening. And the message is that beekeepers should be vigilant with their surveillance of hives. “Beekeepers should inspect their hives regularly for signs of Varroa mite and other exotic pests, using the appropriate methods including sugar shake and drone uncapping,” Dr Dibley said. Victoria intercepted Varroa mite when it was found on a ship at the Port of Melbourne in 2018. Agriculture Victoria and industry worked together to address the threat and conduct surveillance around the port, and no further mites were found. Any suspect detections can be reported immediately to the national Exotic Plant Pest Hotline on 1800 084 881. For more information visit the Agriculture Victoria website.
Varroa mite (Varroa destructor) Is a serious, exotic parasite of adult European honeybees and their brood. It weakens and kills honeybee colonies and can also transmit honeybee viruses. The mite occurs in beekeeping countries throughout the world but is not established in Australia. It is considered the greatest threat to Australia's honey and honeybee pollination plant industries.
Agriculture Victoria Bee Biosecurity Manager Nikki Jones preforms a varroa mite check. Photo - Agriculture Victoria