Weekly update - Friday 2 May 2025
Published on 02 May 2025
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FEEDBACK INVITED
Draft Budget and Draft Revenue and Rating Plan
The Draft Budget 2025-2026 is now available for the community to review and provide feedback.
It’s focused on delivering the key objectives of the 2021-2025 Council Plan as well as our commitment to delivering services to our community.
We’re also inviting feedback on the Draft Revenue and Rating Plan 2025-2029.
It’s developed every four years and determines the most appropriate and affordable revenue and rating approach which, along with other income streams, will support Council to deliver on objectives of the Council Plan.
To view the documents and provide feedback until Thursday 22 May visit:
www.engage.cgoldshire.vic.gov.au/budget2025
Princes Park Grandstand concept designs
For Council to seek funding from the Federal and State governments to restore the Grandstand, draft concept designs are required.
Since August 2024, Council has been engaging with the wider community and Grandstand user groups to help inform the draft designs.
There is now an opportunity for the wider community to view the draft concept designs and provide input before Thursday 22 May by visiting: www.engage.cgoldshire.vic.gov.au/grandstand
Draft Play Space Strategy
350 residents helped inform the development of the Draft Places for Play: Play Space Strategy which is now available for community feedback.
The Strategy will guide future development and management of play spaces across the shire for the next ten years.
To view the Draft Strategy and provide feedback before Thursday 22 May visit:
www.engage.cgoldshire.vic.gov.au/playspaces
GALLERY GHOSTS
There are many spooky stories from the darker days of our gold rush history. As part of the 2025 Australian Heritage Festival, Central Goldfields Art Gallery is presenting an engaging talk on the ‘Ghosts of the Goldfields’.
Distinguished author, researcher and podcaster Dr David Waldron from Federation University will reveal the significance of these spine-chilling tales from the dark reaches of our gold rush era arising from the many traumas faced by our ancestors.
The talk will be presented in person at the Gallery on Wednesday 7 May from 10.30am to 11.30am. Morning tea is included for a cover fee of $5. To book email: cgsc.art@cgoldshire.vic.gov.au or phone 5461 6600.
Presented in partnership with U3A Maryborough Inc.
ALGAE GONE
Two weeks of water testing at Lake Victoria, Maryborough, has confirmed blue-green algae (BGA) has subsided.
Favourable weather conditions and a tendency of algae to exhaust its life cycle means the residues and toxins have gone, so we've removed the warning signs.
Re-testing of Lake Victoria will continue and we'll advise of any issues.
COMMUNITY FLU CLINIC
Our 2025 vaccination program is now underway with the following flu clinics to be held at the Community Hub, Station Domain, Maryborough:
- Tonight, Friday 2 May - 5.30pm to 7pm
- Friday 16 May – 1.30pm to 5pm
Bookings are not required but if you do prefer to make a time or wish to discuss the vaccine, please contact our Immunisation team on 0428 894 724.
The influenza vaccines are free under the National Immunisation Program for:
- Children aged 6 months to under 5 years
- Pregnant women at any stage of pregnancy
- People aged 65 years or over
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 6 months and over
- People who have certain medical conditions
For those not covered (above), a fee of $20 applies for influenza vaccination. For further information visit:
www.centralgoldfields.vic.gov.au/immunisation
THE FUTURE OF THE NEST
Despite ongoing advocacy across Federal and State government, unfortunately we have been unsuccessful in securing the funding needed to carry on the award-winning work of Go Goldfields.
Without ongoing funding, this means The Nest cannot continue to operate and is no longer open across the week for drop-in sessions.
We know this announcement will come with much disappointment for local families and our local service providers.
The reality is that as a financially challenged rural Council, we are unable to maintain some critical elements without additional financial support from Federal or State government.
We will continue to seek appropriate funding to continue the work of Go Goldfields. It remains our goal that funding will be secured within the next few months so The Nest can reopen to the community, however at this stage we are unable to continue the program due to the current funding being exhausted.
We thank our local families, wonderful staff and service providers who have supported The Nest.
If you have the opportunity, we encourage you to chat to our local State and Federal Ministers about why Go Goldfields and The Nest is important to you.
For more information visit: www.centralgoldfields.vic.gov.au/nestclosure
PREPARE FOR FUN!
Learn how to prepare yourself, your family, your property and pets – plus have a fun day with the kids at our Central Goldfields Emergency Preparation Expo.
Enter the draw for a home emergency kit worth $1500 (including a generator), plus there’s prizes for the kids who fill in a passport with stamps and stickers as they visit all of the sites.
The event is free, including jumping castle, face painting, badge making, giant coloured bubbles and a sausage sizzle.
- Chat with fire fighters about how best to protect your rural or town home and see the full range of fire-fighting machinery
- Check your property’s flood and fire risks and find out how an arborist can make your property safer
- Visit Pet Central & learn what to do with your pets should disaster strike and get your pet’s microchip checked
- Check the latest in search and rescue gear from the SES and learn about defibrillators
- Find out how to maximise your internet connections
- Collect great guides on how to prepare for fires, floods, storms and power outages and learn what to pack in your emergency kit
Know what to do in the first 72 hours after disaster strikes and have fun, as we build our resilience together this Sunday 4 May from 10am to 1pm at the open area in front of Maryborough Railway Station.
BRIGHT IDEA
To improve community safety and encourage healthy exercise into the winter months, Princes Park, Princes Park netball court and Jubilee Oval will light up on Friday nights.
Starting tonight, lights will stay on between 5pm and 9pm every week for thirteen weeks.
This is thanks to the Victorian Government’s Healthy Loddon Campaspe initiative. For further information visit:
www.healthyloddoncampaspe.au
VOLUNTEER THANK YOU EVENT
To celebrate National Volunteer Week, we would like to recognise and thank our wonderful volunteers for their dedication and contribution to our community.
Please join us for supper on Monday 19 May at 5.30pm at Maryborough Harness Racing Club (337 Bucknall Street, Carisbrook)
This is a ticketed event and open to all volunteers in the Central Goldfields community - Please book before Friday 16 May 2025 at: www.bit.ly/cgsc-thankyou2025
or email: events@cgoldshire.vic.gov.au or phone 0408 326 157
BUSINESS EXPO
Everyone is invited to attend the Central Goldfields Village Business Expo on Friday 9 May, 11am to 4pm at the Maryborough Harness Racing Club.
Hosted by the Committee for Maryborough at the Expo there will be an opportunity to:
- Meet inspiring local business owners
- Hear bold 1-minute pitches from exhibitors
- Get one-on-one business advice from our mentors
- Join powerful conversations on regional prosperity
- Connect with leaders shaping our economy
Let’s grow our regional business community together!
The expo is hosted by the Committee for Maryborough and Council is a proud sponsor of the event.
To find out more visit: www.committeemb.com.au/business-expo
POSITIONS VACANT
For career opportunities, please visit: www.centralgoldfields.vic.gov.au/currentvacancies
TENDERS
Tender documents can be downloaded from e-Procure, accessible via Council's website www.centralgoldfields.vic.gov.au/tenders