Notes from your Deputy Mayor - Robyn Machin
Gumboots are dusted off now - how fortunate are we to have received perfect gentle rainfall in our district followed by warm sunny winter days. Pasture and crops are bouncing out of the ground, parks and gardens are responding to the soaking and sporting grounds will be rejuvenated. We look forward to our creeks running and dams filling over coming months.
Northern Territory beckons Jodi Bjorksten - who has completed 10 years at Strathbogie Shire. She has accepted a similar role in a NT local government area which covers about 1/3 of the territory and encompasses Alice Springs.
Our communities have benefited enormously from Jodi's wonderful skill in obtaining all manner of external funding and support and her smile and skill will be greatly missed.
We all thank Jodi for her outstanding work at our shire and wish her all the best in her future posting. Sarah Burghardt-Smyth has been working under Jodi's tutorledge and has taken on the role with great enthusiasm.
Council budget - balancing the budget is proving a challenge again for 08/09. Your council is spending many hours to ensure we are able to make the best use of funds available from rates and grants.
Cost pressures have increased immensely this year for us all, particularly fuel which affects all road works and particularly seals which use bitumen which is an oil product.
Council are determined to ensure that we are able to maintain as much infrastructure as possible however the $20million gap identified 3 years ago is widening which results in less maintenance. Council are reluctant to borrow funds at this time of higher interest rates and feel it is not appropriate to borrow for maintenance works.
On the bright side the federal government did voice some recognition of this very large problem for rural local governments.
Have you visited the VT library lately - it has so much to offer apart from reading. Your library is a wonderful place to relax with newspapers, a selection of magazines or browse the internet. There is also a selection of video's, DVD's and talking books to borrow and enjoy at home. You are able to order particular books or literature if they are not on the shelves here.
Our library has a selection of children's stories and books to entertain. It is important that our local library is well used and has strong support and membership from the VT community as part of the Goulburn Valley Library Corporation.
Two Information sessions coming up for LG Candidates:
Australian Local Government Womens Association - on 27th & 28th June at Benalla Performing Arts Centre at 10.30 - 12.30 followed by lunch. You must register by phoning Sue - 57871520 with preferred date or email: algwavic@algwa.com.au
MAV Local Government Candidate Information session on 1 July at Euroa from 7pm to 9pm at the Euroa Community Conference Centre.
These important sessions will give candidates and anyone interested in local government information about the election on 29 November 2008.
Local government is the government closest to the people; it creates the foundations for democracy and accountability. The MAV has launched a website with information: www.standforcouncil.com.au
These web pages are about helping citizens understand more about local government. It aims to help those thinking about standing for council or just want to know more about local government.
If you have any questions or requests please contact me - 0417 496785
For details/interview call the Editor on (03) 5798 1858