Notes from your Deputy Mayor - Robyn Machin
The winter solstice has passed already and now we have our coldest and hopefully wet month of July. School holiday activities are on around town and make sure you go to the movies at Euroa Community Cinema.
Forecasts 5% rate increase - budget is on display in the library and on the shire website for 14 days to the 10th July for your comment and submissions. Council have chosen to deviate from the long term financial plan in recognition of the difficulties being experienced in some community sectors due to the drought year and have delivered a no frills budget. The increase covers the rising costs of fuel, insurance, EBA and staff costs.
Road funding-includes $1m reseal program, $450,000 for the road resheet program and $333,000 bridges program. The catch up grading program is well underway around the shire following the good rain with five graders working 6 days per week.
Other budget items including Violet Town
- $20,000 for the kindergarten for additional repair works undertaken during the construction of the new section
- $8,000 for plant room renewal at the VT Pool identified in the recent Aquatic Strategy
- Expansion of the community grants program - additional $50,000 for initiatives in the Community Action Plans
- Strategic planning including Heritage, Neighbourhood Character and Rural Zones $100,000
- $57,000 for youth mentoring project.
Preparing the annual budget is a major responsibility undertaken by your council and your comments are very welcome.
Freeway rope fauna bridge - VicRoads closed the freeway on 23rd June to erect a rope bridge to allow fauna to cross safely near the Lambing Gully Creek - particularly the endangered squirrel glider. This has caused considerable mirth locally and obviously the city press who were en mass in VT the day before the works have enjoyed the story also. more ...
And the other bridge - the Honeysuckle Creek bridge is in place with the approaches to be completed. The community have chosen well - I think it looks great. more ...
National Tree Day Sunday 29th July - get involved in tree day sponsored by Planet Ark. Planting has been planned in the recreation reserve so make sure you join in for an hour or more.
Aquatic Facilities Strategy - a draft report is now on public display which many locals would have had input through surveys last summer. It outlines pool usage, the condition of pools and associated equipment, management, and expenditure required on shire pools. It also offers some ideas for the future of each pool.
If you love your town pool, please read this report and make a submission to council promptly. Whether you wish to approve of the contents or not or have any ideas to express I ask you to put pen to paper to show you have a strong interest in your local pool which is celebrating its 50th year.
Census - will be available by the time the 'Village Voice' hits the streets. It will provide answers as to whether our town has grown or shrunk in population, if our average age is getting older or younger, whether birth numbers outstrips deaths, how many of us work and where and how much we earn, our education levels and how many go to school.
This is useful information for our community to plan for our future.
If you have any questions or requests please contact me - 0417 496785
For details/interview call the Editor on (03) 5798 1858