Encephalitis virus vaccine

The first model would be an unsubdivided electoral structure with seven councillors.

The other model would be a subdivided electoral structure with six councillors across three wards, with two councillors in each ward.

The formation of three wards would divide Stawell along the railway line.

The western boundary of the current Southwest Ward would move north to the intersection of the shire boundary and Stawell-Warracknabeal Road to create a new Central Ward boundary.

The northern boundary line for the new Central Ward would follow a series of roads, from Crowlands in the southeast through to the intersection of Bismark-Lybeck and Glenorchy roads in the northwest.

Kara Kara Ward would increase in size from 1796 square kilometres to 3268 square kilometres to accommodate two councillors and ensure St Arnaud remains contained to one ward.

Yarriambiack

There are three wards in the Yarriambiack electorate.

Hopetoun Ward has two councillors, Warracknabeal Ward has three councillors and Dunmunkle Ward, two.

The panel received five preliminary submissions and presented three models for further community consultation.

The first model would be an unsubdivided electoral structure with seven councillors.

The second model would be a subdivided electoral structure with six councillors across three wards, with two councillors in each ward.

The final model would be a subdivided electoral structure with seven councillors across seven wards, with one councillor in each ward.

Under the second model, to ensure the number of voters per councillor would be within 10 percent of the state average, the current three ward boundaries would move.

Warracknabeal and its surrounds would be established as an urban ward, and the Borung Highway would make a clear division between north and south.

The urban boundary around Warracknabeal would extend to Sheep HillsBangerang Road in the east and Averys Road in the west.

The boundary would follow Bangerang Road in the north, and along

CHANGES: Model three, prepared by the Victorian Electoral Commission for a Yarriambiack electoral structure review, outlines a map and proposal to alter the council’s structure to seven councillors across seven wards.

Melis Road and part of Yarriambiack Creek in the south.

In the third model, the current ward boundaries would be mostly similar with a spilt down the centre of Dunmunkle and Hopetoun wards and a three-way split of the Warracknabeal Ward that would converge in the Warracknabeal township.

The ward boundaries of this model would roughly maintain the existing Mallee and Wimmera divide, and introduce an east-west divide through the length of the shire.

Preliminary reports are open for responses now until April 5 and a final report is due for release in May.

After the review is completed, the panel’s recommendation will go to the

Minister for Local Government, and if accepted, the changes will apply to October 2024 council elections.

The preliminary reports are available online via vec.vic.gov.au/electoralboundaries/council-reviews/electoralstructure-reviews

People can submit a response online at vec.vic.gov.au, by email to the corresponding address Buloke.ERAPSubmissions@vec.vic.gov.au, Northern Grampians.ERAPSubmissions@vec. vic.gov.au or Yarriambiack.ERAP Submissions@vec.vic.gov.au, or by post to Electoral Representation Advisory Panel, c/o Victorian Electoral Commission, Level 11, 530 Collins St, Melbourne VIC 3000.

Horsham Rural City residents eligible to receive a Japanese Encephalitis virus vaccine can book an immunisation appointment, at no cost.

Vaccination against the virus is available for anyone aged two months or older who lives, or routinely works, in a high-risk area and spends at least four hours a day outdoors, for unavoidable work, recreational, educational or other essential activities; or is living in temporary or flood-damaged accommodation that places them at an increased risk of exposure to mosquitoes; or is engaged in the prolonged clean-up of stagnant waters following floods.

Horsham council has received 300 doses of the Imojev vaccine, via the State Government, and will offer them at the Kalkee Road Children’s and Community Hub by appointment tomorrow, March 30 and April 13.

People can book a vaccination time via hrcc.vic.gov.au or phone 5382 9777.

Japanese Encephalitis is a rare, but potentially serious infection of the brain caused by a virus spread through mosquito bites. About 99 percent of those infected will have no symptoms, however, people who do develop symptoms might experience a fever and headache, or more serious symptoms such as nausea, vomiting or seizures. In rare cases, Japanese Encephalitis can be fatal.

Firewood season

The autumn firewood collection season has opened.

People can collect firewood from designated collection areas in state forests or parks across the region for personal use from now until the season closes on June 30.

Forest Fire Management Victoria Grampians deputy chief fire officer Tony English said people could not sell the firewood they collected. He encouraged people who relied on firewood for heating and cooking to use the firewood in an efficient manner.

People can also collect firewood during the spring season, from September 1 to November 30.