Loddon Shire Mayoral Column 8 February
Published on 08 February 2021
Loddon COVID-19 Mental Health Survey
Has the COVID-19 pandemic been challenging to deal with? Are you more worried about things than normal, or have there been positive things that have improved your mental health?
Council is keen to hear how Loddon residents have fared over the past 12 months and invite you to participate in its COVID-19 mental health survey.
You can access the survey online at www.surveymonkey.com/r/D86LCQ5
Keep an eye out for Council’s staff member Mark Gibson, who will also be conducting the survey in person at locations across our Shire over the coming weeks.
For more information or to request a hard copy of the survey, please contact Mark at Council on 0409 250 528.
Laanecoorie canoe launching pad complete
Great news for canoe paddlers and kayakers – the canoe launching pad at Laanecoorie has been finished, marking the full completion of the Laanecoorie Canoe Trail.
The canoe trail was originally designed by the La Trobe University Outdoor Education students from 2017 to 2018.
The Laanecoorie Canoe Trail complements other canoe trails in our Loddon Shire – the Serpentine Creek Canoe Trial and Loddon River Canoe Trail.
For more information regarding these canoe trails and maps, visit www.bendigoregion.com.au/visit-loddon-valley/canoeing-and-kayaking
Healthy Soils for Farming Workshop
The Loddon Mallee Waste and Resource Recovery Group will be holding an online Healthy Soils for Farming Workshop next Wednesday 17 February from 5pm to 6.30pm.
The workshop is for people who are interested in the use of organics in the agricultural industry. It will outline the benefits of applying organics compost to your soil, as well as best practices to ensure crops get the most out of the application.
The workshop will include key note speaker Senior Soil Scientist at SESL Declan McDonald. There will also be a range of special guest presenters: Matthew Nihill (Landmark), Frank Harney (Elmore Compost and Organics), Sage Hahn (Australian Organics Recycling Association), Andrew Dougall (Sustainability Victoria) and Simon Falkiner (Falkiner Ag).
To book go to http://bit.ly/LMWRRGHealthySoilsFarming
On-Farm Internet of Things Trial – deadline extended
Farmers in Loddon Shire now have until Friday 26 February to get their applications in for grants of up to $25,000 as part of the Round 2 funding for the On-Farm Internet of Things trial.
Grants are available to help farmers to invest in digital Internet of Things (IoT) technology on their farms.
The trial is designed to test IoT technology on sheep, dairy, horticulture and cropping farms in the trial regions, which includes Loddon Shire.
The grants are based on a two-to-one co-contribution. Every dollar a farmer invests will be matched by two dollars from the Victorian Government – up to a total of $25,000.
IoT network connectivity is also provided until the end of the trial in late 2022 to farmers taking part in the trial.
For more information and to apply go to agriculture.vic.gov.au/digitalag
Rates due this month
A reminder that if you have elected to pay your rates in full as a lump sum, payment is due on 15 February.
If you pay your rates by quarterly instalments, the next rates instalment is due on 28 February.
If you think you may not be able to pay by the due date and you believe you will have difficulties paying either the third instalment or in full, please contact Council's rates office on (03) 5494 1200 as soon as possible.
Council has a number of options available to assist those facing genuine financial hardship and would be happy to discuss these with you in a confidential manner.