Notes from your Deputy Mayor, Robyn Machin
Deputy Mayor, Robyn Machin
I thought there was little news this month but how wrong - there always seems to be so much on the go.
Violet Town Growth Plan - Work is soon to commence with Violet Town Action Group that arises from the Violet Town Action Plan grant application to undertake a holistic approach to planning for the township and its future development. Councillors and the CEO met with Violet Town Action Group last month and agreed to move promptly on developing a brief for the Strategic Plan.
It will bring together all the previous work undertaken and will aim to develop a strategic plan with strong emphasis on community participation in conjunction with Violet Town Action Group. The initial brief process will be based on the input by the community from the COW workshop last year to ensure your ideas are included in the plan. This brief will enable council to seek resources to undertake the strategic planning process.
Council meets with State Agriculture Minister Joe Helper- who was visiting farmers in Strathbogie Shire on Tuesday. He was briefed and updated on the development of Stage 1 of the Strathbogie Agribusiness Park, investor and industry commitments. Council also discussed the State's position on this drought and the effect on viability of ongoing farming. He acknowledged that the language is changing from drought to climate change. He also questioned whether what we are experiencing can now be classified as exceptional circumstances (EC) given that by definition EC is a 1:25 year occurrence. This dry seems to be becoming the norm and there is obviously a big rethink going on in governments at the moment.
Finalise Operating and Capital Budgets in April - Strathbogie Shire will finalise the budgets for 2008/09 in April. The Budget process commenced in January and requires councillors to review the Council Plan, Service Profiles and organisation structure, council fees, the Rating Strategy and review Community Action Plans to identify priorities and resource requirements. This work is almost complete with the April Special Council meeting adopting the Council Plan and forwarding to Minister by mid April.
Draft 06-09 Council Plan is available to the public for review and comment/submissions under Section 223 of the Local Government Act. If you wish to make a submission and be heard you must indicate in writing. The plan can be viewed at the Violet Town Library. The closing date for submissions is 5pm Tuesday 8 April when a Special Meeting of Council will hear and consider written submissions.
Capital expenditure report for February 2008: Violet Town Pool Plant Room Renewal will commence after summer, the Pre School Upgrade is almost complete, the RSL Meeting Room Split System is complete, the HREP Footbridge is complete and gravel resheeting has been completed on 260 m of Dunnings Rd and 1170 m of Mahers Rd. Also 2090 m of Horse Gully Rd and 290 m of Primrose St. The report also includes Waste Management updates - the Violet Town Landfill Stage 1 Rehabilitation is complete, Stage 2 Construction is in progress and Stage 3 Investigation Consultancy is in progress. Council are also investigating future waste management and sharing sites in neighbouring shires.
HCCH Art Exhibition - Council approved some funding support for an Art Exhibition put together by Ivan Lister to showcase works dealing with farmers and farming families suffering the devastating effects of the ongoing drought. The exhibition opens at the Flour Mill Gallery in Euroa from the 26-27 April 2008.
Council Advocacy for Violet Town Doctor - Councillors are dismayed at the delay in Commonwealth Funding approved in October 07 for a GP's surgery in Violet Town.
The Mayor has written to the Minister on behalf of the Strathbogie Shire strongly advocating on behalf of residents the clear need for this important facility to provide additional medical services to our rural community. Council strongly supports the Violet Town community in seeking immediate approval to enable works to commence.
Violet Town Pool open for Easter - opening has been extended over Easter whilst the weather is hot except Good Friday and Easter Sunday. Numbers will be monitored and closure date decided on patronage.
National Youth Week 5 - 13 April 2008 - www.youthweek.com for what's on such as this free competition -Win Free Stuff competitions give young people a chance to win some fantastic prizes.
To enter, all you need to do is answer a simple question such as:
- Lonely Planet wants to know what you think would be the most useful phrase to learn in another language.
- If the biography of your life was published, Angus & Robertson wants to know what the title of the book would be and why?
- The Australian Sports Commission wants you to describe how sport positively impacts your community.
- Tell Greening Australia why you think reducing your carbon emissions is important.
- Tell ReachOut! your tips on how to relax and keep stress levels in check.
- Tell Australian Volunteers International what contribution you think youth can make to achieve the Millennium Development Goals?
Anzac Day Ceremony - Violet Town RSL will conduct a luncheon at 12.30pm followed by a 2pm ceremony at the Community Centre on Friday 25 April 2008. This is a most important day in our nation's history and the Violet Town community are part of this. Once again I shall be marching with the 2/4 Field Regiment in the city representing members of my family who fought in all three theatres of WW2. Most march in Jeeps these days and really enjoy this opportunity to be together to remember.
April cinema and May Little Theatre - Friday and Saturday 8.00pm Sunday 4.00pm
Tickets $8.00 - Children under school age FREE
Kiosk now licensed and serving fresh coffee
- 4-6 April The Bucket List (M)
- 11-13 April Dan in Real Life (PG)
- 18-20 April Sleuth(M)
- 25-27 April The Black Balloon (M)
Please keep in touch with me on any comments you have or issues for discussion. Tel. 0417 496785 www.strathbogie.vic.gov.au
For details/interview call the Editor on (03) 5798 1858