The Maryborough Advertiser — Friday, December 3, 2010 — Page 19

CENTRAL GOLDFIELDS SHIRECOUNCIL NEWSLETTER

Playgroundopening near

The new playground atStation Domain will beofficially opened to the publicon Friday, December 10 and allare invited to attend.

The afternoon will commence at4 pm with Mayor, Cr ChrisMeddows-Taylor conducting theformalities.

There will be balloons for thechildren and, of course, theopportunity for them to trial thenew equipment.

The playground is a longawaited facility for the shire, being

the only playground with a fencearound the entire boundary.

Council has also taken care tomake the playground especiallychildren-friendly by prohibitingsmoking and dogs inside the fence.

The playground launch will be agreat warm up to the grandStation Domain launch, scheduledfor Australia Day, January 26,2011.

• At right — The newplayground at Station Domainwill officially open next Fridayafternoon. 261110 47

Repairs followingSeptember floods

The storms of September 4and 5 left significant damageto the unsealed roadnetwork, with scouring,washouts and major gravelsurface losses occurringacross the shire.

Sealed roads also were affectedin more localised sections, wherethe bitumen was ripped orscoured off and shoulders washedaway.

Flood ways, bridges andculverts were also washed out orblocked, causing some roads to beimpassable.

In response, council hasfocussed on providing access toproperties where access was cutoff; and temporary safety worksto make roads passable.

The road network wasassessed to determine repaircosts and priority forprogramming repairs, restorationand application for grantfunding.

The first few weeks since thestorm were spent addressingmajor scouring, washouts andmajor gravel surface losses onroads across the shire.

Bridge abutments to Middle

Creek Bridge in Moolort wererepaired, as well as Whelan Road.

Road repairs included theBealiba Avoca Road, particularlyat Archdale Junction, to make itsafe for road users. Future workswill be scheduled to repair theseal.

A future list of works has beenprepared. Works have beenestimated to take up to sixmonths to complete at thecurrent rate.

Major repairs includeCushendon road crossing;Martins Lane; road shoulders;guard rails on bridges and roadseal repairs

These works will be requiredto go to tender for works to becompleted.

In total, the repairs will costapproximately $4 million andcouncil is able to apply forfunding through the NaturalDisaster Fund to assist with thecost.

Requests continue to come inrelation to the storm event andcustomers are given estimatedtimeframes for works, withcouncil providing the best servicewithin the resources available.

A number of roads and bridges were damaged around the CentralGoldfields as a result of the September floods. 070910 71

Council is calling on shireresidents to join in helping tobuild a healthier community.

The Healthy CommunitiesInitiative (HCI) is now up andrunning in Central Goldfields Shireand council needs the support of itsresidents to really make the projectwork.

The HCI works withcommunities to improve health andwellbeing through physical activityand healthy eating programs,especially for those currentlyexperiencing unemployment.

There are a number of activitiestaking place over the next twomonths and in some cases,participants will be paid for theircontribution.

Mobile Tool Trailer CommunityMeetings

The Mobile Tool Trailer will be alending service to enable people toborrow the tools they need to builda vegetable garden or clean uparound the house.

HCI co-ordinators are seekingcommunity opinions on what themost useful tools would be.

The co-ordinators also want tohear from people who would like tobe involved in the design andoperation of the trailers.

Healthy Community ChampionsLearn the easy ways to eat

healthy food and exercise in a one-day workshop and then use thisinformation to inspire others to behealthy too.

Participants in the workshopwill be paid for attending if theypass on what they have learned tofamily and friends.

This opportunity is available to12 people who are unemployed oron low incomes.

The workshop will be held inAvoca on Thursday, December 9,from 10 am to 2 pm. Free transportcan be provided for participants.

To register, call Breanna on5461-2689 or visit theMaryborough Town Hall.

The Healthy CommunitiesInitiative, which is being run inpartnership with Pyrenees Shire,forms part of the AustralianGovernment’s $4.9 million pilotprogram aimed at tackling obesityon a local level.

Program looking for participants

People travelling into theshire’s townships will notice anew “welcome”.

New town entrance statementsare now in place, providing amore formal and attractivewelcome for residents andvisitors.

The funding for the townentrance statements was obtainedby council through the FederalGovernment’s Regional and LocalCommunity InfrastructureProgram (RLCIP).

The construction of theentrance signs is a significant

aspect of a large scale plan todrive tourism in the CentralGoldfields Shire.

The signs will also help toencourage civic pride and this isanother aspect that council iscommitted to improving.

New entrances to shire’s townsNew entrances to towns in the shire, including this one at Carisbrook, are nearing completion. 031210 67

Achieving together

Page 20 — The Maryborough Advertiser — Friday, December 3, 2010 The Maryborough Advertiser — Friday, December 3, 2010 — Page 21

CENTRAL GOLDFIELDS SHIRE COUNCIL NEWSLETTER

A plan for reservoir’s futureCouncil has begun work on a

management plan aimed atguiding the future use anddevelopment of the GoldfieldsReservoir.

With recent excellent rainfalls,the reservoir has filled and the needto develop a plan for future use,particularly the mix of water andland uses, has been recognised.

The plan will focus on providingmanagement guidelines and policyaimed at ensuring appropriatefuture development and use of thisvalued community recreationreserve.

Community input will be asignificant part of the project with anumber of opportunities forfeedback from residents as the planprogresses.

A community forum, site visitsand user group interviews will all beused to ensure an opportunity forinvolvement and opinions to beshared.

A regionally based company, CPGConsulting, will assist council indelivering the management planover the next five weeks.

Council’s general manager ofcorporate and community services,Wayne Belcher is looking forward tostarting the project and involvingthe community in the outcomes.

“This work represents anopportunity for community membersand user groups to provide inputinto how this local reserve ismanaged into the future.

“Council is well aware of theimportance of the area to ourcommunity and by working together,we can ensure a positive outcome,”Mr Belcher said.

Organisations or residentswishing to know more about theproject can contact Mark Hands orTim Buykx at CPG on 5448-2500 ormark.hands@au.cpg-global.com.

Goldfields Reservoir has benefitted from recent rains and a management plan is currently being created for its future use. 261010 07

National Trust festival in Central GoldfieldsCouncil has been successful in

its bid for Maryborough to hostthe 2011 launch of the NationalTrust Regional Festival forVictoria.

The annual festival will involvethe regions of Geelong, Ballarat,Mount Alexander and CentralGoldfields, and aims to inspire thecommunity to appreciate, conserveand celebrate its built, natural andcultural heritage.

The Heritage Festival 2011“Steam to Surf” is a vibrant anddiverse celebration of Victoria’s richheritage — natural, cultural andindigenous.

The theme of the 2011 HeritageFestival is “Steam to Surf” — part ofa global celebration of the heritageof water on the ICOMOSInternational Day for Monumentsand Sites on April 18.

The launch will be held on April8, 2011 with a steam train travellingfrom Melbourne to Ballarat and onto Maryborough.

Central Goldfields Shire will hosta number of events which willinclude tours of historic homes;historic walks; panning for gold andpresentations of early goldfieldsstories.

The National Trust welcomesindividuals, historical societies,heritage groups, and owners andmanagers of heritage places toparticipate by hosting an event.Registration and participation in theFestival is free.

For further information, contactFran Silvester Cox at council on56461-0610 or emailfranc@cgoldshire.vic.gov.au.

• At right — Central Goldfieldsheritage delights will be on showduring April next year. Theyinclude; clockwise from top left— Belleville at Dunolly, Wareek’sNorwood, Worsley Cottage inMaryborough and ChesterfieldHouse at Talbot.

Friday, October 29 was WorldTeachers’ Day and council tookthat opportunity to thank theshire’s teachers by hosting aninformal reception for ourschools’ leadership groups.

Held at London House, Talbot,the event offered a specialopportunity to reflect and recognisethe significant contribution teachers

make within our community.

Education and a commitmentto life long learning have a veryimportant place in council's plans,including within the Go Goldfieldsstrategy and the development of aVulnerable Families Action Plan.

In each of our schools andeducational institutions,

teachers play a key role in strategydevelopment and policy andplanning, which are critical to socialchange and closing the disadvantagegap we face.

The reception was a celebration torecognise the partnership betweencouncil and its schools in drivingsocial change and to commemorateWorld Teachers’ Day.

Central Goldfields ShireCouncil advises residents to actnow to prevent fire hazardsaround the home.

Heavy winter rains have helpedlawns grow however sunshine canquickly make grass dry and becomea serious fire danger.

Municipal Fire Prevention Officer(MFPO) for Central Goldfields ShireMichael Reid strongly advisesresidents to reduce all fire hazardsaround their house and blocks.

“Fire hazards can be long grass in

the front or rear yards of residentialproperties or it can be dead trees orbushes around the house.”

If a property is deemed a firehazard, a fire notice will be issued toreduce the hazard within 14 days.

“After 14 days, we will againinspect the area.

“If the property owner has notreduced the hazard, and we havehad no contact from the propertyowner, contractors will be hired bythe shire to reduce the hazard.

“The cost along with a fine of$239 will be forwarded to the ownerof the property.

“Fire hazards are a very seriousmatter and I think everyone is moreaware of that fact since the tragicoccurrence of Black Saturday.

“Council wants to make sure firehazards are minimised or removedcompletely,” Mr Reid said.

For further information, contactMFPO Reid at Central GoldfieldsShire Council on 5461-0610.

The Cultural Arts, Heritageand Tourism DevelopmentBoard recently convened for thefirst time.

The newly established committeeaims to develop and co-ordinateprograms that will enhance ourtourism and arts offering byleveraging the region’s heritageappeal.

The board is chaired by shireMayor, Cr Chris Meddows-Taylorand together with local tourism andarts operators and advocates, the

group plans to develop a cohesivevision and strategy for building onexisting arts and tourism events, aswell as develop new ideas.

Having met only twice, the boardhas already set some goals, andthese include:

• Having this region of CentralVictoria recognised as Australia’sfirst National Heritage Goldfieldsregion;

• Seeking funding and support forthe restoration of early goldfieldsvillages; and

• Increasing tourism to the shireand supporting plans to attract newresidents.

The board establishment followsthe appointment of council’s newgeneral manager of growth andliveability, Fran Silvester Cox.

Together with communitymembers already operating in thearts and tourism sector, councilaims to build a strong foundation forevents that showcase the greathistory and culture of the shire.

A day to celebrate all teachersEva Julian and Suzanne Kreutzer from Maryborough Education Centre with Talbot Primary Schoolʼs Anne Jackson at recent

World Teachersʼ Day celebrations. 021110 24

Prepare now for the fire season

Station Domain to officially open

New committee to guide tourism

January 2011 is set to be amonth of celebration for theshire, with Central GoldfieldsShire Council planning theofficial opening of StationDomain, Maryborough.

Preparations are well underwayfor the event, which will be held aspart of the shire’s Australia Daycelebration on Wednesday, January26.

In addition to the Australia DayAwards, the community can lookforward to enjoying live music, abarbecue, and a variety of children’sactivities.

Station Domain, Maryboroughhas been coming along steadily andits completion will be something the

entire community can celebrate. Local groups are invited to

contact council with any ideas theymay have for the celebration.

The multi-million dollar projectwill provide the community with anoutdoor amphitheatre, children’splayground, recreational space andCommunity Hub.

Council, with the assistance ofthe Australian Government’sRegional and Local CommunityInfrastructure Program (RLCIP),has created a valuable gatheringpoint for the community — a placeto walk, meet, meander and hostoutdoor community events.

Community groups that wish tobe a part of the grand opening and

Australia Day celebrations shouldcontact Alisha Chadwick at councilon 5461-0610 or emailalishac@cgoldshire.vic.gov.au.

Station Domain, incorporatingMaryboroughʼs historic railway station,will open on Australia Day.

Twenty great years of theEnergy Breakthrough

Council was thrilled to thisyear celebrate the 20thanniversary of one of the shire’sgreatest events — the RACVEnergy Breakthrough.

In perfect weather conditions,competitors, spectators, staff andvolunteers partnered to create

another fantastic event.A reception was held on Saturday

night to commemorate the 20thanniversary and also give thanks tothe many volunteers, past andpresent, who contribute to the event.

Without the support of thevolunteers, the Energy

Breakthrough would not continueto be the huge success that it is.

Council congratulates all thoseinvolved in the 2010 RACV EnergyBreakthrough.

The commitment shown by wholecommunity is something to becommended.

Record crowds enjoyed perfect conditions for the 20th anniversary of Maryboroughʼs RACV Energy Breakthrough. 231110 94

Long serving volunteers were recognised for their efforts during the 20th anniversary of the event. They included; from left —Nigel Preston, John Stafford, Alisha Chadwick, presenter Ian Robertson, Martin Mark, presenter Michael Case, NormRasmussen and Ernest Litera. 231110 110

Page 22 — The Maryborough Advertiser — Friday, December 3, 2010

CENTRAL GOLDFIELDS SHIRE COUNCIL NEWSLETTERYOUR COUNCIL SERVICES —

OPERATING HOURS OVER THEHOLIDAY PERIOD

Council administration office (Nolan Street)

The office will close at 1 pm on Friday,December 24, 2010 and reopen at 8.30 am onTuesday, January 4, 2011.

For emergency services call 5461-0610.Home care

General home care services will not beprovided on the following days Saturday,December 25 (Christmas Day); Sunday,December 26 (Boxing Day); Monday, December27 (Public Holiday); Tuesday, December 28(Public Holiday); Saturday, January 1 (NewYear’s Day) and Monday, January 3 (PublicHoliday).

High need personal care services willcontinue throughout the holiday period.

Meals on wheelsThis service will continue from Monday to

Friday throughout the holiday period.Garbage and recycling

All transfer stations will be closed onChristmas Day and New Year’s Day.

Carisbrook Transfer Station operating hours:• Monday, Tuesdays and Fridays — 10 am

to 4.30 pm,• Saturdays and Sundays — 10.30 am to

4 pm.Closed on “Code Red” fire rated days.Talbot and Dunolly Transfer Station

operating hours:• Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays —

9 am to 1pm. Closed on “Code Red” and “Extreme” fire

rated days.Bealiba Transfer Station operating hours:• Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays —

9 am to 1 pm. Closed on “Code Red” and “Extreme” fire

rated days.Garbage and recycling collection

Urban and rural garbage and recyclingcollections will operate on normal days andtimes.

Hard waste collection and green wastecollections

This service will occur on Friday January 7,2011. Bookings for hard waste only ring —Waste Recyclers of Victoria on 1800 556 952 byWednesday, January 5, 2011.

Maternal and Child Health CentreWill close on Friday, December 24 at 1 pm

and re-open on Wednesday, January 5, 2011. Appointments can be made for Wednesday,

December 29 and Thursday, December 30.Swimming pools

Dunolly, Talbot and MaryboroughAll outdoor swimming pools will be closed on

Christmas Day, and will close at 5 pm onChristmas Eve and New Year’s Eve.

Maryborough early morning swimming willbe cancelled between December 25, 2010 andJanuary 1, 2011, inclusive.

Other Public Holiday hours at outdoor poolsare — Maryborough 1 pm to 8 pm; Talbot andDunolly 1 pm to 7 pm.

Inquiries contact 5461-4300.VicRoads

VicRoads Agency will be closed on ChristmasDay and re-open on Wednesday, December 29,2010. It will close again on New Year’s Day andre-open on Wednesday, January 5, 2011.

Goldfields Children’s CentreGoldfields Children’s Centre will close on

Friday, December 24, 2010 at 12.30 pm andreopen at 6.45 am on Wednesday, January 5,2011.

Central Goldfields Art GalleryThe gallery will close on Friday, December 24

and re-open on Thursday, January 6, 2011.Maryborough YMCA Sports and Fitness

Centre The YMCA will be closed on Christmas Day

and will close at 5 pm on Christmas Eve andNew Year’s Eve.

It will open on New Year’s Day from 9 amuntil 12 noon.

Normal operating hours apply for all otherdays.

Central Goldfields Visitor InformationCentre

The centre will only close on Christmas Day.Library

The Maryborough Library will close at 1 pmon Friday, December 24, and re-open onWednesday, December 29, 2010.

It will close again from Saturday, January 1,2011 and re-open on Tuesday, January 4, 2011.

Tullaroop Reservoir is just one of the local reservoirs to benefit from recent downpours. 070910 91

Water challenges easeas restrictions lightened

The recent announcement byCentral Highlands Water (CHW) toease water restrictions has causedmuch celebration for communitymembers, including the WaterResources Stakeholder Task Group.

The Water Task Group was establishedby council during severe waterrestrictions.

The group comprises councillors, seniorcouncil staff, CHW officers and communitymembers, and has been meeting regularlyfor the past two years.

Chaired by shire Mayor, Cr ChrisMeddows-Taylor, the group is a greatexample of the outcomes that can be

achieved through a co-ordinated approachto local issues.

“The community wanted council to playa strong role in advocacy in relation towater and this is exactly what we did,” CrMeddows-Taylor said.

“Over time the group has seen some realsuccesses in relation to improved waterstorage reporting; new sources of groundwater; water quality monitoring; andcommunication.

“Importantly it has helped to reinforcethe importance of changing water usagebehaviours and the recognition that wateris a limited resource.”

Cr Paula Nixon, who is a member of thegroup, said she valued the open sharing of

information and the opportunity to listento the suggestions of residents.

“I am a strong believer that whencouncil listens to the community, it learns,and new possibilities and solutionsemerge.”

Another member of the group, Cr AnnieConstable, praised all the organisationsand individuals involved in the WaterResources Stakeholder Task Group.

“We faced some challenging issues butwe persevered and the outcomes justifiedthe investment,” Cr Constable said.

The Water Resources Stakeholder TaskGroup will continue to meet and provide ahigh level consultative forum to monitorthe Maryborough water supply system.

Councillors and council staff would like to take this opportunity to wish all a Merry Christmas and asafe and prosperous New Year. We thank the community for its ongoing support and we look forward to

working with you in 2011, as many exciting developments come to fruition.