2015 August Newsletter pdf 1.9 MB

August 2015
ALSO IN THIS ISSUE:
Page 2
•People & places
Page 3
•The future of rural roads
Pages 4 & 5
• Change delivers benefits
Page 6
•A tidy result
•Rates packages on way
CHASING PROSPERITY
Economic prosperity is one of the common denominators in successful communities
across Australia – and supporting local businesses to grow and attracting investment
to bolster our diverse economy is a top priority for the Shire of Campaspe.
Campaspe’s second-largest industry sector, after
agriculture, is manufacturing – valued at
$202.5 million – so it was a pleasure to recently
visit SLTEC Fertilizer in Tongala, to learn more
about this leading manufacturer of fluid fertilisers.
One of the great things about Campaspe is its
exciting year-round community events calendar.
While the weather may be cold this time of year,
the Winter Blues Festival warmed the hearts
of locals and visitors alike with great family
entertainment recently.
Page 7
•Life of a councillor
•In the Instagram frame
While this time of year is quieter for events,
monthly or fortnightly markets in Girgarre,
Rochester and Echuca continue to provide activity.
As the weather warms up, the number of events
coming up in increasing. See Page 8 for details.
Page 8
•Another chance for funds
•What’s on
• Council meetings
You may be aware that late last year, Council
completed its three-year Rural Roads Review to
assess road management best practice, modelling
and cost-analysis in relation to the shire’s rural
road network. Council is now embarking on a
shire-wide consultation to give key road-users and
landowners living in rural areas the chance to have
a say on any proposed changes. Read about it on
Page 3.
Improving the natural environment and reducing
waste to landfill is a commitment shared by Council
and the community. I recently attended an open
day at the upgraded Rochester Transfer Station
- many thanks go to the local Lions Club which
provided a sausage sizzle for attendees.
The new suite of waste and recycling services
introduced last July have been embraced by the
community with Council already saving $40,000
in waste service costs. You can read about it on
Pages 4 and 5. The fact that nine Campaspe
projects were recently named finalists in the 2015
Tidy Towns Sustainable Communities Awards is
further testament to this commitment. See Page 5
for more details.
I would like to congratulate
recipients of funds from round 1
of Council’s Community Grants
program. More than $100,000
was distributed to 67 community
groups at a special presentation,
so they can deliver a broad range
of locally-identified initiatives for the
benefit of the broader community.
Applications for round 2 of the
program are now open until Friday,
11 September. See Page 8 for
more details.
Cr Leigh Wilson
Mayor
Shire of Campaspe
Cnr Hare & Heygarth Streets,
Echuca VIC 3564
PO Box 35, Echuca VIC 3564
Tel:
1300 666 535
(03) 5481 2200
Fax: (03) 5481 2290
Email: [email protected]
www.campaspe.vic.gov.au
Mayor, Cr Leigh Wilson, along with other councillors and Council
officers, toured SLTEC Fertilizers in Tongala recently. Cr Wilson,
right, is pictured with Member for Murray, Dr Sharman Stone and
company managing director Jamie McMaster.
Cr Wilson met Federal Trade
and Industry Minister Andrew
Robb in Shepparton in mid-July.
AUGUST 2015
1
People and Places
From running pools to teaching kids about the
environment to building new facilities, Council
plays many important roles in the life of the
municipality. Here is just a snapshot.
A special morning tea was held to say goodbye to long-serving IT officer, Des
Purdey, who has been with Council for an incredible 35 years. From left, CEO
Jason Russell, fellow IT officer and friend Damien McInnes, Des and Mayor,
Cr Leigh Wilson.
On-grounds works for the Kyabram Business Park are continuing.
Budget allocation: $3.2 million.
An open day was held at the recently upgraded Rochester Transfer Station in
late July. Pictured playing the Which Bin Does This Go In? game are Cadence
and Keeley Major.
With the temperature plummeting, many fitness fanatics have
taken advantage of the warm water at the Echuca War Memorial
Aquatic Centre to keep their aerobic activity up. Pictured from left,
Gary Norman, Dean Moon and Elliot Bowen.
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AUGUST 2015
Nearly 200 older residents from across the shire took part in a 16-week Tech
Savvy Seniors computer course run by the Campaspe Regional Library. Some
of the graduates are pictured with Library Services Officer Denise Gilby. Back
from left, Jane Green, Sheena Campbell and Denise Appleby. Front, from left
Manuel Sciberras and Colin Walker.
THE FUTURE OF RURAL ROADS
Ensuring the organisation’s long-term financial sustainability is a key priority for Council in the context of
delivering more than 100 different services to the community every day and maintaining an asset base
worth in excess of $829 million. Taking this into account we constantly plan, review and adjust the way
we do business to make sure we strike the right balance between demand for services and availability of
funding, now and into the future.
Late last year, Council completed the first stage of the Rural
Roads Review. This stage included an assessment of road
management best practice, historical maintenance and
construction practices. The study modelled the existing road
network, options for alternative road networks and a cost analysis
of each.
With rural roads making up over 40 per cent of Council’s asset
base and costing an estimated $2.4 million per annum to
maintain, the aim of the review was to provide a robust system to
enable Council to determine the best mix and cost structure for
the Shire’s earth, gravel and bitumen road network.
Over the last year, Council has further tested and refined the data
and the recommendations of the review including verifying local
traffic volumes, bus routes, dwelling access and industry needs.
Council is now undertaking a shire-wide consultation process to
give key road-users and landowners of Campaspe the opportunity
to have input into proposed changes to Council’s road network.
At this stage, 353 kilometres of gravel roads are proposed to be
reclassified as earth roads.
The aim of the consultation is to capture as much community
input as possible to assist Council in determining a road network
management model that ensures local roads remain fit for
purpose in light of both community needs and future funding
availability.
Rural roads community meetings
Attend a community meeting to have your say on rural road service levels, including particular roads identified for reclassification.
Location
Toolleen, Community Centre
Rushworth, customer service centre
Kyabram, Kyabram Community & Learning Centre
Echuca, Civic Centre function room
Rochester, Sports Club (RRRR)
Lockington, Recreation Reserve
Gunbower, Memorial Hall
Date
Wednesday, 2 September
Wednesday, 2 September
Thursday, 3 September
Tuesday, 8 September
Wednesday, 9 September
Wednesday, 16 September
Wednesday, 16 September
Time
2pm
6pm
2pm
7pm
7pm
2pm
6pm
If you are unable to attend a community meeting, Council welcomes comments by email to
[email protected], online through the survey on Council’s website or by filling
out questionnaire available from Council’s service centres. Feedback is sought by 2 October.
Opportunities for further consultation will be discussed at the community consultation
meetings.
Earth road maintenance
Council has 820 kilometres of earth roads. Maintenance includes
grading on average every two years at a cost of $350 per kilometre.
Gravel road maintenance
Council has 2,100 kilometres of gravel roads. Maintenance includes
grading on average once per year and gravel resheeting on average once
every ten years. Grading costs approximately $850 per kilometre of
works, resheeting costs $23,500 per kilometre of works.
Annual average spend gravel road grading: Annual spend gravel road resheeting: $1.8million
$4.1million
AUGUST 2015
3
CHANGE DELIVE
A year since the “bin revolution” – which saw the
Shire of Campaspe roll-out a suite of new waste
services – the benefits are becoming clear.
Last year, Council gave ratepayers the power to choose from
a broader range of waste, recycling and garden organics bin
options. Residents were asked to make a selection – either a
Standard Service, made up of an 80-litre waste bin, 240-litre
recycling bin and 240-litre garden organics bin or a unique
combination from a “pick and mix” list, including a 360-litre
recylcing bin.
The change was designed to give people the chance to pick a
service that better suited their needs and budget and encourage
behavioural change when it came to waste. About 30% of
households took up the option of a smaller waste bin and many
moved to a larger recycling bin.
Data collated by Council’s waste and environment department
12 months on shows that while Council is now delivering 4,361
more waste, recycling and garden organics services than the year
before, the bottom line has actually benefited.
Council’s Environment and Waste spokesperson, Cr Ian
Maddison, said it was pleasing to see the results.
“You would think that with so many additional services being
collected and dealt with, that our costs would have gone up, but
we actually saved about $40,000,” he said.
“There’s been an 12% drop in the non-recyclable waste collected
– which is what goes to landfill – and the recycling rate has
remained steady, so we’re thrilled,” Cr Maddison said.
“The new system has meant we have diverted 1,135 tonnes of
waste from landfill – this is equal to 1,361 tonnes of carbon.”
Cr Maddison said the decline in waste to landfill was reflected in
“average bin weight” statistics. “Since we did a bin audit back in
2010, we have seen a 26% decrease in the average waste bin
weight across Campaspe, which is an outstanding result,” he
said.
With the introduction of garden organics across a swath of new
areas last year, the number of green-lid bins has more than
doubled, from 2,524 to 5,235 and accordingly, the amount of
greenwaste collected has also jumped significantly. “This in turn,
has increased what we’re spending on mulching, but this cost is
absorbed by savings achieved elsewhere,” Cr Maddison said.
DO YOU NEED TO
CHANGE YOUR BINS?
Have the kids moved back home, or moved out of
home? Are the bin choices you made a year ago still
meeting your household needs?
Landowners can change their bin options at any time.
Residential bin options include:
· Waste 80-litre or 140-litre;
· Recycling 140-litre, 240-litre or 360-litre;
· Garden organics 240-litre.
Free mulch – and help to load it – is available to the public from the
Echuca Environment Centre and Kyabram’s Mt Scobie Transfer Station
on the first Sunday of every month. Residents can collect as much free
mulch as they like from each centre.
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AUGUST 2015
Give our customer contact staff a call to talk about the
options available on 1300 666 535. Bin changeovers
and replacements take two weeks to complete.
ERS BENEFITS
Total number of services
Waste
16,394
Recycling
April 2014
Garden
Organics
16,302
➪
➪
April 2014
U
P
735
915
May 2015 17,129
2,524
➪
➪
U
P
April 2014
doubled
May 2015 17,217
May 2015
5,235
HOUSEHOLD VOLUME COLLECTED
WASTE
Average total of kilograms
of waste collected,
per household per year
RECYCLING
Tonnes collected per year
2014
4,182t
April 2014 562kg
U
P
12%
LESS
TO
LANDFILL
May 2015 495kgs
2015
4,210t
FAST FACTS
•4
0% of eligible residents
now have a garden organics
bin
•1
,135 tonnes of waste
have been diverted from
landfill
• Sending less to landfill
has saved Council nearly
$40,000
•1
,361 tonnes LESS
carbon into the atmosphere
•4
7% jump in mulching rate
Data range; April 2014 to May 2015
AUGUST 2015
5
A TIDY RESULT
Nine projects from across the Shire of Campaspe have been named as regional finalists in the 2015
Tidy Towns Sustainable Communities Awards.
Community, Landcare and school projects in
Echuca, Tongala, Rochester, Rushworth and
Kyabram and a number of Council programs
have been named as finalists across a
range of categories.
commercial solar heating system and
thermal blankets at the Council-run Echuca
War Memorial Aquatic Centre – delivering
significant results for Council’s bottom line
and environmental footprint.
Council’s Environment and Waste
spokesperson, Cr Ian Maddison, said
the awards were designed to encourage,
motivate and celebrate the achievements
of rural and regional communities across
Australia working for the environment.
Council’s WICKED program was also
recognised. “WICKED stands for Waste
In Campaspe Know, Educate, Do and is
a five-year program designed to engage
the community to help reduce the
amount of waste going to landfill, improve
environmental outcomes and save money
in waste disposal costs. The project has
delivered community composting workshops,
school presentations, competitions, events
and lots more,” Cr Maddison said.
“This is the first time every project
nominated in our region has been named as
a finalist, so we’re very excited, especially
given the judges have praised the high
caliber of the applications this year,” Cr
Maddison said. “Council is especially proud
to have four projects of its own recognised,”
he said.
The “Echuca is Swimming in Sustainability”
project has seen the installation of a
Council’s work in promoting and help
organise Business Clean Up Day in February
was recognised in the Litter Prevention
category.
“Council’s own Green Team, a small
but dedicated group of Council staff
who volunteer their time to work on
environmental projects and promote
sustainability to the rest of the organisation,
ran a successful Business Clean Up Day
for Shire of Campaspe staff also helped
facilitate other events across the region,”
Cr Maddison said. At 20 sites in 11 towns
across the region, 266 people volunteered
for the event and collected more than
15.1 tonnes of litter and 5.8 tonnes of
recyclables.
In the Resource Recovery category,
Council’s work to boost recycling rates
was recognised. In a number of ways,
Council is increasing the opportunities for
recycling away from home. More public
place recycling bins have been installed, a
recycling trailer is being used at community
events and recycling is being increased at
recreation reserves around the shire.
Category
Program Group
Active Schools
Little Green Steps in Tongala Tongala Preschool
Active Schools Terrific Tuckshop Tucker St Augustine’s College, Kyabram
Clean Beach/Waterway
Campaspe River, Rochester Recovery Campaspe River Reserve Committee
Community Action Leadership
Announcing the Rushworth Community Rushworth Community House
Environmental Sustainability
Echuca is Swimming in Sustainability Shire of Campaspe
Environmental Sustainability
Recycling is WICKED in Campaspe Shire of Campaspe
Litter Prevention
Campaspe Cleans Up Shire of Campaspe
Protection of the Environment Healthy Habitat for Echuca/Moama Echuca Moama Landcare Group
Resource Recovery
Recycling Rulz on the Road Shire of Campaspe
RATES PACKAGES ON WAY
Rate notices will start arriving in letterboxes soon.
Each package includes an individual property rate
notice, a brochure about rates and waste vouchers
that can be used at any Shire of Campaspe
transfer station.
The amount of rates paid depends on a property’s value and its rating category. Rate revenue is a vital income stream for the Shire of
Campaspe, helping Council to deliver more than 100 different services to the community every day and its capital works program to the
community. This year, Council will deliver $25.1 million in projects on the ground.
And this year, it’s important to note that the customer reference number has changed. If using online or automatic payment
services, residents are urged to change the number to match the rate notice.
Ratepayers can lodge an objection to their property value. The process is explained on the back of the rate notice and rate brochure.
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AUGUST 2015
The life of a councillor
From fronting the media, to attending official openings, to site inspections of planning applications and
sitting in on annual general meetings, Shire of Campaspe Councillors have a busy schedule.
Cr Adrian Weston is pictured with Malumie Thorley and Lee Wakenshaw
at a recent citizenship ceremony. Malumie, from the Philippines, now lives
in Rushworth. Lee, from United Kingdom, now lives in Colbinabbin.
Cr John Zobec was on hand to congratulate new Australian, Rufina Moran,
who was one of 15 Campaspe residents who took the oath at a recent
citizenship ceremony. Rufina was born in the Philippines but now lives in
Kyabram.
Council’s Environment and Waste spokesperson, Cr Ian Maddison, right
is pictured with Rochester Transfer Station attendant, Ellwaste’s Barry
Powell, at a recent open day at the upgraded transfer station.
Instagram is one of the most popular photo-sharing apps in the world. Many locals and visitors use the platform
to show the world where they are and what they’re doing – so it’s not surprising our beautiful region pops up.
Use #campaspe and the township you are in.
Robyn Halbert from Wantirna captured this
moody shot in Kyvalley.
#kyabram
Port Melbourne’s Kristina Davidson took
this shot in Kyabram.
#kyabram
Assunta Degregorio from Swan Hill enjoyed a
cruise on the Gunbower Creek. #gunbower
AUGUST 2015
7
ANOTHER CHANCE FOR FUNDS
The second round of Council’s Community Grants
program – which provides funds to not-for-profit groups
and community organisations and associations for events,
projects and programs – is now open.
Mayor, Cr Leigh Wilson, said Council had just over $100,000 to fund projects,
events, exhibitions or performances which contribute to making the municipality
a more vibrant and stimulating place for people to live, work and visit.
The program has the following categories.
· Assistance; up to $4,000.
· Events; community up to $1,000; minor events up to $3,000; and major
events up to $5,000.
· Environment; up to $2,000.
· Recreation; up to $8,000.
· Heritage & culture; up to $800.
“Whether you want to improve a community facility, run an event, organise
an environmental initiative or preserve our history in some way, community
grants can help bring these projects to fruition for the benefit of the broader
community,” Cr Wilson said. “It’s not the size of the project that’s important,
it’s the value of the end results that matters.”
Applications close on Friday, 11 September. Application forms and guidelines
will be available from Council’s website or from Council service centres.
Echuca United Football Netball Club was thrilled to receive
two grants in the first round of Community Grants. Netball
committee president Fiona Davis and club president Ian
Johnson attended the cheque presentation held at Radcliffe’s
in late July.
what’s on
Throughout August
• Drawn to Nature, an exhibition of Australian
indigenous wildlife by Marion Gould, Kyabram
Town Hall gallery, 10am-3pm, except Tuesdays.
 5852 1546
• About Face exhibition, Customs House Art
Space, Echuca  0429 168 424
Sunday, 13 September
•G
irgarre Farmers’ and Produce Market, Station
Street, 8.30am-noon  5857 2270
Saturday, 19 September
August 28 – September 27
•E
chuca Farmers’ Market, Alton Reserve,
8am-noon  0437 746 459
• Rushworth Kindergarten Community Market,
 0419 395 256
Saturday, 29 August
• F ord Coupe Club of Victoria’s Hardtop
Anniversary, Echuca,  0417 507 782
•D
ean Bowen exhibition, Customs House Art
Space, Echuca  0429 168 424
•E
chuca Farmers’ Market, Alton Reserve, 8amnoon  0437 746 459
• Rushworth Wildflower Hunt, starting at
Rushworth Community House, 10am-1pm,
 www.rushworthit.com.au
Wednesday, 2 September –
5 October
• Karin Bosman’s Birds of a Feather, visiting
exhibition at Kyabram Town Hall,  0408 589 807
Sunday, 20 September
Thursday, 24 September
•C
rossenvale Spring Carnival,
Crossenvale Park, Echuca  5480 3583
Friday, 25 September –
Sunday, 27 September
•E
chuca Junior Basketball Tournament,
Stubberfield Stadium, Echuca  5480 6903
Saturday, 26 September
•G
unbower Gold Cup, Gunbower Racing Club.
 0428 509 982
Wednesday, 6 October to
Thursday, 8 October
•E
lmore Field Days, Elmore Events Centre.  www.
elmorefielddays.com.au
Thursday, 7 October – 2 November
•S
ue Reid’s Colour! Good Enough to Eat, visiting
exhibition at Kyabram Town Hall,  0408 589 807
Friday, 9 October – Sunday, 11
October
•6
1st Echuca Moama Artists Annual Exhibition,
Uniting Church Hall, Echuca
 5482 6182
Saturday, 10 October
• T ongala Community Garage Sale,
 0408 101 846
Sunday, 11 October
• J irgaree Jammin’, Girgarre Town Hall, Winter
Road, Girgarre, from 10.30am
• Rochester Town Market, skate park
 0409 075 074
•G
irgarre Farmers’ and Produce Market, Station
Street, 8.30am-noon  5857 2270
• Greater Murray YMCA Sweat v Steam, Hopwood
Gardens Echuca
 5482 2517
Thursday, 3 September
Friday, 25 September to
Sunday, 27 September
• Isobel Harvie Collection Delights of Winter,
Kyabram Town Hall,  0408 589 807
Saturday, 5 September
Throughout August & September
Wednesday, 2 September –
3 November
•S
plinter Contemporary Artists’ Peace and War,
exhibition at Kyabram Town Hall,
 0408 589 807
•H
enley Friends’ Fathers’ Day men’s lunch,
Anglican Church Hall, Church St, Kyabram, from
noon, $10 for 2 course lunch.  5852 2867
•E
chuca Farmers’ Market, Alton Reserve, 8amnoon  0437 746 459
Saturday, 12 September &
Sunday, 13 September
•A
merican Iron and Australian Road Transport
History Display, Rotary Park Echuca,
10am-4pm both days. 0428 506 807
•1
1th Chevrolet Convention, Aquatic Reserve,
Echuca, from 11am, gold coin donation, kids
free.  0408 454 082
•C
elebrating Echuca East Football Club, an
exhibition at Echuca Historical Society,
11am-3pm daily until end of September.
 5480 1325
Saturday, 3 October
•E
chuca Farmers’ Market, Alton Reserve,
8am-noon  0437 746 459
Until 13 October
COUNCIL MEETINGS
Council meetings are open to the public and
residents are encouraged to take part through the
question time portion of the meeting. Meetings
are held in Echuca and start at 5pm and are
streamed live on Council’s website. The agenda is
available the Friday before each meeting.
· 15 September · 20 October
If you have an upcoming event, please let us know via [email protected]
* Events subject to change
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AUGUST 2015