Weekly update - Friday 12 September 2025

Published on 12 September 2025

YOU’VE GOT MAIL!

Spring has sprung and our Community Update magazine is hot off the press!

You can read it online at www.centralgoldfields.vic.gov.au/communityupdate or find it in your letterbox next week.

In the spring edition we share all the info you need for our upcoming events – “Live it Up” Senior Expo and Energy Breakthrough.

We celebrate staff who have clocked up service milestones, feature students who completed work experience with us and officially welcome our newest citizens.

You’ll find an invitation to share feedback on our key strategic documents, nominate for our 2026 Australia Day awards and join our new online community directory.

We share how we’re advocating to retain VicRoads and secure drought relief assistance for local primary producers.

Plus, we’ve got the latest news from our rural wards and we break down what the Carisbrook Flood Management Plan is and how it will support the local community.

Happy reading!

PETS PLAN

We’re inviting the community to help shape how dogs and cats are managed in our Shire.

We’ve been visiting local markets and shopping centres meeting with our community about how their pets are protected, supported and controlled. It also covers de-sexing programs, feral animal control, pet registrations, community safety and our animal re-homing program.

It’s part of a State Government requirement to review our Domestic Animal Management Plan every four years.

There’s still time to have your say – online feedback is open until Monday 15 September. Visit: www.engage.cgoldshire.vic.gov.au/DogsAndCats

or phone our Customer Service Centre on 5461 0610.

2025-2026 RATES NOTICES

By now ratepayers will have received their 2025-2026 Rates Notices

This year, a new section has been added to the Rates Notices. The new format aims to provide clarity by differentiating between Central Goldfields Shire rates and charges and State Government charges.

The Central Goldfields Shire section includes your rate payment amount which includes a 3% increase from last year – in line with inflation and the Victorian Government’s rate cap.

The State Government section includes the Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund (ESVF) and the Landfill Levy.

We share the disappointment of all ratepayers that your notice this year includes these new State Government charges.

We have heard the suggestions to “just don’t pay the new tax”. Unfortunately, it’s not that simple. Despite local government advocacy, the State Government has legislated that councils must collect the charges on its behalf.

Eligible volunteers from the CFA and VICSES will be able to claim a rebate for the ESVF payable on their Principal Place of Residence (PPR) or a farm they own, even if the farm is not their PPR.

If you believe you are entitled to the eligible volunteer rebate, please contact the Department of Government Services.

If you have questions or feedback on the ESVF please email esvf@dft.vic.gov.au or call the ESVF hotline on 1300 819 033 or alternatively, please contact your State Government MP.

For additional information about your rates, including options for payment or financial assistance, visit: www.centralgoldfields.vic.gov.au/rates

CALL OUT FOR FEEDBACK

Our Draft Council Plan (incorporating our Municipal Public Health and Wellbeing Plan), Draft Financial Plan and Draft Asset Plan are available for community feedback.

These documents are important because they guide our work, decision making and strategic direction over the next four years.

All documents have been informed by the feedback you shared with us between March and May.

To view the documents and provide feedback visit www.engage.cgoldshire.vic.gov.au or email mail@cgoldshire.vic.gov.au

The documents will also be available to view at:

Customer Service Centre, 22 Nolan Street, Maryborough
Maryborough Library

Feedback is invited until 5pm, Sunday 21 September.

All feedback will be considered, and a final draft will go to Council for consideration in October.

Thank you for taking the time to help shape these important plans.

SAFETY UPGRADES

Our Roads and Works team have completed safety upgrades at several corners along Napier, Burke and Hilton, High and Kars streets and Alma Road.

The works are part of the TAC Safe Roads and Streets Program.

The next upgrade is an intersection at Wills and Clarendon streets. Wills Street will be closed between Park Road and Palmerstone Street during works hours from 7am to 4pm.

The intersection will be completed by October.

COMMUNITY MEMBERS NEEDED

The Tullaroop Leisure Centre is a much-loved community asset in Carisbrook.

To help ensure its future sustainability, it needs community members to join the Community Asset Committee.

If you are passionate about our community and looking for an opportunity to learn new skills and grow as a leader – we encourage you to submit an expression of interest.

Expressions of interest can be emailed to cac@cgoldshire.vic.gov.au or come along to the AGM to be held on Wednesday 24 September at 5pm.

POSITIONS VACANT

For our current career opportunities, please visit:

www.centralgoldfields.vic.gov.au/currentvacancies