Mayoral Column, June 2020.

Published on 04 June 2020

With the Covid-19 restrictions still in place, life for some seems to be limited, but for others it has been a time of living in a more relaxed way. No pressure to get to football training and to take the kids to sport early, but also no enjoyment from gathering with others for a chat and to barrack for your local team.

Most of the services that have had restrictions eased are still regulated to maintain social distancing. West Wimmera Libraries will re-open this week, however hours of operation may not be the same, and patrons need to check when various services are available. Council offices will re-open, but it’s not back to normal as it used to be. Everybody is doing their best to accommodate under trying circumstances. Three year old Kindergarten can restart in Term 3, again under different time arrangements. This is an unfunded service that the Shire is not obligated to provide, and is costly.

There are changes coming up to the Fire Services Levy. The details are still to be worked through, and I have noticed on social media that there are the usual attacks on Local Government about this cost. However it is a State Government imposed levy, and not set in any way by Local Government. We are simply required to collect it and forward it on.

With changes coming up for the Country Fire Association, it will be interesting to see if major cuts to CFA infrastructure funding last year are restored.

All Councils are very grateful to the Federal Government for recently announcing additional funding for infrastructure works. With the Roads to Recovery formula being used, it means that rural Councils will receive the larger portion of funds. We will sit down this week and begin the process of allocating money to various projects.

It means we now have the opportunity to restore to the budget a full roads program, as well as footpaths, kerb and channel works. It is an opportunity to catch up on some of those community projects that keep getting put aside for another year. All works must be completed by the end of June 2021. This rubs out large projects that take more time to plan, and which create more significant red and green tape to get through.

We have also received funding from the State Government for the fit out of the Edenhope Cultural Centre, which is much appreciated.