Friday 22 December 2023

Published on 22 December 2023

CHANGES TO SERVICES

There will be changes to our facilities and services over the festive period.

Our Customer Service Centre will close at 2pm on Friday 22 December and will re-open at 9am on Tuesday 2 January. Waste collection services will also move forward one day during this period.

Our after-hours service will operate as normal:

• Urgent after-hours issues that relate to Council infrastructure can be reported on 0419 005 577.
• Urgent after hours issues relating to animal control can be reported on 0407 508 448 (dog attacks, stock on roads and contained dogs only)
• After hours issues relating to home care can be made by calling 0418 571 109

For a full list of changes to our operating hours visit: www.centralgoldfields.vic.gov.au/festivechanges2023

COUNCIL MEETING

The December Council meeting was held earlier this week (19/12).

You can watch a video recording of the meeting on Council’s Facebook page and see a list of meeting dates for 2024 by visiting: www.centralgoldfields.vic.gov.au/councilmeetings

AUSTRALIA DAY 2024

Our community is invited to mark Australia Day on Friday, 26 January 2024 at the Central Goldfields Shire Australia Day free, family event at the Station Domain, Maryborough.

A free breakfast and children’s activities will commence at 8.30am followed by official proceedings at 9.15am. The Australia Day Awards – including Citizen of the Year, Young Citizen of the Year and Community Award of the Year – will all be announced.

The event also includes a Citizenship Ceremony when our new residents will become Australian Citizens.

Medallions will be presented to all babies born during 2023 and books will be presented to all three and four-year-old children starting kindergarten in 2024.

To register your child/ren for medallions and books and for further information visit: www.centralgoldfields.vic.gov.au/australiaday2024

ALGAE ALERT

Goulburn-Murray Water has warned the public to avoid contact with water in Tullaroop Reservoir, after recent monitoring detected high levels of blue-green algae.

Town treated water supplies are unaffected and remain safe to drink. Warning signs are in place at recreational areas and pets and livestock should also be kept away from the water.

To keep up to date with current warnings for inland water, visit:

www.g-mwater.com.au/water-operations/bga

GREEN WASTE

Our optional green waste collection service now has over 2,000 participating properties. As a bonus, users of the service can claim one free bag per month of quality compost, when sufficient material is available.

Unfortunately, a number of bins are being contaminated with materials not suitable for composting such as plastics, etc. This significantly delays the process while material is sorted and cleaned before mulching and bagging.

We ask that our community of green waste collectors do their bit to keep bins free of plastic, rope, hoses and garden equipment etc., to reduce contamination.

THANK YOU!

Local Law Review

Thank you to everyone who has taken the time to provide feedback to help shape our new local law. Feedback is still welcome until close of business today at 5pm, Friday 22 December.

Local Law covers a broad range of topics from animals, unsightly land, fire safety, noise, reserves and footpath trading, to planting on nature strips.

To complete the survey and for further information visit us:

Online: www.engage.cgoldshire.vic.gov.au/your-local-law

Collect a hard copy survey from our Customer Service Centre, 22 Nolan Street or Maryborough Regional Library

HAVE YOUR SAY

Business and Industry Staff Recruitment

Finding and keeping staff in our businesses and services has been a challenge in recent years.

To keep a measure on progress, we invite our local business owners and managers to contribute to a 15-minute survey about staff retention and recruitment.

This will allow us to compare results from 2022 to the current time and is in partnership with La Trobe University. To complete the survey and for further information:

Visit: https://engage.cgoldshire.vic.gov.au/businesssurvey

Email: brian.gould@cgoldshire.vic.gov.au, our Economic Development Officer

The survey is open until 31 December 2023.

ROADSIDE SLASHING

Roadside slashing is nearing completion across our Shire and will continue between Christmas and New Year weather permitting, including along our backroads.

Bet Bet, Havelock, around Talbot and the outer eastern area of the Shire past Tullaroop Reservoir have been completed in the past week. Crews will now finish up within town boundaries.

When operating, it is standard procedure that all slashing is monitored by a water truck.

We ask drivers to take care and observe any warning signs or speed limits, for everyone’s safety.

YOUTH COUNCIL 2024

We’re looking for passionate young people aged between 14 and 23 to become Youth Councillors in 2024.

Becoming a Youth Councillor is an opportunity to make change in the community and to learn great leadership skills along the way.

Applications are now open. To find out more and to apply, visit: www.centralgoldfields.vic.gov.au/youthcouncil

Applications are welcome until 15 February 2024.