Notes from your Deputy Mayor - Robyn Machin
Heat, wind and some rain have been features of March 2007. The pools remained open one week longer than is usual and stage 4 water restrictions in the urban areas have really been felt in this weather. There are 200 rural townships in Victoria with stage 4 restrictions now. You will have noticed that water is being transported to the tanks above VT to supplement the supply for as long as is necessary. This season has now been well recognized as a 1:100 year event in southern Australia, surpassing the Federation and world war droughts as well as that experienced in the early '80s.
The value of this season is that we all become better at using water, knowing what plants to have in our gardens. We have become experts at recycling water from our homes. Our sporting clubs have been able to tap into valuable water supplies using recycled water to save the playing surfaces for cricket, football, bowls, golf and tennis. I truly admire the resourcefulness of people during these extraordinarily trying times and I am sure that when the season breaks everyone will be able to look back with some satisfaction at how we have been able to prevail.
Draft 2007/11 Council Plan - is on public exhibition for comment following the March Council Meeting. The council plan outlines the strategic areas of work for the coming four years and is revised each year prior to budget review. It is available at the front desk at the Shire Office. Public submissions will be heard at a Special Council Meeting at 5pm on Tuesday 3rd April.
VT Sewerage connection progress - GVW have indicated that 65% of Violet Town properties have connected to the sewerage system. It is now four years since reticulated water and sewerage works were undertaken and residents were asked to connect within the following two years. They urge the remaining 35% to make plans now with a plumber to connect to sewerage.
Closure of Road at VT Caravan Park - council has received a request to close a road to traffic on the Honeysuckle Creek Side of the Caravan Park. The road links the Graves Street area south of the railway line through to Hurt Street north of the railway line. It is part of the Creek Reserve and results as part of the construction of the HREP walking track. Council will read and hear submissions on Tuesday 10th April at 3pm from interested parties.
Flood Study Report - is almost complete. Your community representatives and hydrologists who have been involved in undertaking this study will call a public meeting shortly to inform all residents of the findings of the study and modeling. A community group will be formed to decide on the best options to reduce the incidence and severity of future floods in the township. The final step is to undertake earthworks which may be levy banks in some parts and diversion in other parts which the community has approved.
DPI April Farmers Workshops for 16th Violet Town and 18th Moglonemby - following the well supported November Drought Feeding Workshops run by the DPI and Strathbogie Shire a second series will be conducted after Easter. Discussion of how to get pastures going following the season break, animal welfare cold weather feeding and changing animals diet from grain back to grass. Please check times and location posted on noticeboards in Violet Town. Sessions will commence at 5.15pm.
March has been a big promo time for Strathbogie Shire business - we may not have GP's, swimming and airshows. But Strathbogie wine and food is on display at Southbank during the Melbourne Slow Food Festival through the Goulburn River and Ranges group; thoroughbred yearlings have been showstoppers at the Inglis Premier Yearling Sales in Melbourne with 25% of the catalogued offering from our Shire; and the State and Australian Rowing Championships have been held at Lake Nagambie. These activities bring a large number of visitors to our area throughout the year.
Enjoy Easter - I wish everyone a safe holiday and hope you can take time out to enjoy local activities.
Council Meetings - are held on the 3rd Tuesday of each month at 6pm.
Planning Committee Meetings - are held on the 2nd & 4th Tuesdays of each month at 4pm.
All meetings are open to the public and advertised weekly in the Euroa Gazette. Please keep in touch with me on any comments you have or issues for discussion. Ph 57981686
For details/interview call the Editor on (03) 5798 1858