Council

An average 5.8 per cent rate rise for the 2024-25 draft budget is proposed by the Naracoorte Lucindale Council’s administration. The $22,234 million draft includes a $1.087 million operating surplus. Now electors can read the plan and have their say before May 27, advising what they think the rates should be and what expenditure needs to be included, or excluded.

Major upgrade works have begun at the Bordertown Speedway to make the facility a “world-class” race track. Once completed, the project aims to put Bordertown on the map, with a facility big enough to attract all types of racing. While the project has hit many speedbumps, the Bordertown Speedway Club says budget has been a big factor.

Murray River Council’s ‘River Country Art Trail’ detoured leaving Bunnaloo, Caldwell and Wakool not available for inclusion. MRC stated that whilst the silos were initially earmarked for inclusion in the $1.7 million trail, Bunnaloo, Wakool and Caldwell are not eligible for use under GrainCorp’s new Silo Art Policy.  

Field surveys along the proposed VNI West draft corridor have begun, with Transmission Company Victoria (TCV) initiating a Geotech drilling program in Northern Grampians Shire in May. Drilling was halted in early May and is due to restart on 13 May. According to documents provided to the public, the Geotech drilling program will assist TCV to develop a comprehensive understanding of environmental factors such as flora and fauna, as well as geological characteristics within the area.

Sarah Herrmann. Farming land on the eastern edge of Kadina is expected to be transformed into hundreds of homes with "generous block sizes" in coming years after rezoning was finalised by the state government last week ... State Planning Minister Nick Champion said ... the privately led rezoning — the about 28 hectare land parcel has been owned by a company called Lasopail since 1996 — will help the town grow in a considered and measured way.

Council continues to fight over changes to weeds management funding. Coolamon Shire Council will express its disappointment and concern in representations to NSW Farmers regarding the Department of Regional NSW recent changes to the funding model for weeds management. Coolamon Council received a response to the correspondence sent by the three councils of Coolamon, Junee and Temora in regard to the changes.

Improvements are on the way for the main street of Hay. Work is set to start next week on improvements to the main street to provide a stronger road and a smoother and safer journey for up to 5000 vehicles that drive through the town each day. Hay Shire Council General Manager, David Webb welcomed the announcement made on Monday afternoon.

Bendigo Airport's new terminal and business park officially opens today, providing an economic boost to the region ... The terminal-which is approximately four times larger than the previous building-includes new check-in facilities and departure lounge, upgraded restrooms, provision for future security screening, and an indoor arrival area and baggage collection.

Wrong, rushed, and transactional. That’s how councillors Abigail Goodman and Damien Ross of the Naracoorte-Lucindale Council described the council’s recent decision to drop the prayer and replace the Acknowledgement of Country with a shorter and more “inclusive” two-line statement. During the council’s March meeting, a motion for a revised code of practice for council and committee meeting procedures, which includes the new welcome statement, was put up for endorsement.