Loddon Shire Mayoral Column 29 August 2023

Published on 29 August 2023

Mayor-Dan Straub

Pyramid Hill Preschool achieves quality standard

At our August Council Meeting, Council noted that Pyramid Hill Preschool meets the National Quality Standard (NQS) – part of the national benchmark for early childhood education.

This assessment indicates that children attending the Loddon Kindergarten at Pyramid Hill receive a quality program that enhances their learning in the two years prior to primary school.

I want to thank everyone involved in making this achievement possible.

Mitiamo and Calivil lighting update

I’m excited to share news of the lighting upgrades happening in our community.

Lighting poles have been installed at both Mitiamo and Calivil recreation reserves.

The poles are up, but there’s still some final work to be done before they’re operational.

This is an important step in making our fields more versatile and accessible for evening activities. This project aligns with Council's objectives of maintaining sports and recreation and open public spaces to enable and promote access and participation.

Parliament flood inquiry update

Last Thursday (24 August), I presented on behalf of Loddon Shire at the Victorian Parliamentary Legislative Council Environment and Planning Committee public hearing in Echuca.

The panel consisted of Campaspe and Gannawarra Mayors and CEOs as well as two members from the Northern Victorian Emergency Management Cluster.

Key topics discussed included the early warning systems, rural levees, mental health support, impact on farmers due to livestock losses, inadequate funding arrangements and the roles/responsibilities of agencies.

The committee will table their report in June 2024. The report will provide recommendations in response to what they have been told during the hearings and from the submissions.

Record number of entries for Healthy Minds Network Art Competition

The 2023 Loddon Healthy Minds Network Art Competition has seen a record number of entries from schools across the Loddon region, with a total of 260 entries from 10 schools:

  • Pyramid Hill College
  • East Loddon P-12 College
  • Boort District P-12 School
  • Wedderburn College
  • Inglewood Primary School
  • Bridgewater-on-Loddon Primary School
  • Tarnagulla Primary School
  • St Mary’s Primary School
  • St Patrick’s Primary School
  • Home schooling

It’s fantastic to see this year’s Healthy Minds Network Art Competition has seen so many entries from schools across our region.

I’d like to thank and acknowledge these schools, their students and art teachers for their amazing contribution to the competition, but also in helping break the stigma around youth mental health across our Loddon region.

The art competition with themes around good mental health and wellbeing encourages those who enter the competition – particularly our young people – to have healthy conversations about mental health.

Being able to have these conversations is an important element to breaking the stigma associated with mental health.

The Loddon Healthy Minds Network Art Competition is supported with funding from Loddon Shire Council and Community Bank Inglewood & Districts

Entries are being prepared for judging – so make sure to keep an eye out for prize winner announcements coming soon.

For more information about the Loddon Healthy Minds Network, visit www.loddonhealthyminds.com.au/

VNI West Project update

Transmission Company Victoria (TCV) recently shared new information regarding the schedule for engaging with landholders and upcoming steps in the project. Below are some key points to note from the update.

Landholder engagement

TCV land team has begin conversations with landholders in a draft corridor for the VNI West transmission project. This is an area of approximately 2kms wide that runs from the Murray River to Bulgana.

Key finding reports

Reports outlining the key findings of previous community engagement have been published on the TCV website. This includes a detailed report on the outcomes of community events and the interactive map. To read the reports make sure you visit: https://www.transmissionvictoria.com.au/~/link.aspx?_id=27C37FDEB6C14F29BA0A5BCA6C56A4BB&_z=z

Community Reference Group

TCV is inviting community members to join the VNI West Community Reference Group. This is an important opportunity to ensure that the community’s voices are heard. You can find more information and sign up here: https://www.transmissionvictoria.com.au/~/link.aspx?_id=BBFB2F7266164F62957149E43BFAD435&_z=z

To read the project update in full make sure to visit: https://www.transmissionvictoria.com.au/project-updates

 

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