Campaspe Shire Council meeting recap

Deputy Mayor Colleen Gates said the Township Facility Plan was one vital part of the overall big picture.

“To first give you some background; Tongala’s Place Based Plan Committee has created their Place Based Plan,” Cr Gates said.

“That plan refers to the town’s aspirations, or simply, what they want their town to be, moving forward.

“The plan will be officially received by council at its September meeting.

“The Place Based Plan Committee used the results of community consultation to help them create this plan, through pop up sessions, surveys, and interviews.

“We had a staggering 586 respondents to the survey, which gave the committee an excellent representation of what the community really wanted.

“Now we’re looking for eager Tongala residents to join the Township Facility Plan Committee.”

Cr Gates said that the community members must have some experience in business, finance, construction, tourism, law, planning, real estate, recreation, or social wellbeing, and must have some knowledge of asset management.

“The committee will examine all township assets, from public halls to playgrounds, recreation reserves to parks, and determine which are satisfactory, which require improvement, and which may be considered obsolete,” she said.

“Committee members will consult with direct and indirect users of the assets, to clearly understand what each group requires.

“They will also consult with the general community and with council staff.

“They will ensure that the Place Based Plan aspirations are aligned and once finalised, their report on township assets will be provided to council for review.”

If you’re interested in becoming a member of the Tongala Township Facility Plan Committee, nominations can be submitted online via council’s website under the section ‘Now Open’.

All eligibility criteria and commitments are outlined on this webpage. You will be required to submit your resumé.

Expressions of Interest close at 5pm on Friday, September 2.

Grants support youth job skills

Breaking down barriers for young people to gain job-ready skills in Campaspe Shire is the focus of a new council grants program.

Deputy mayor Colleen Gates said the Job Skills Support Grants are open to 16 to 25-year-old Campaspe Shire residents to complete short courses or qualifications.

“Removing roadblocks for youth in securing qualifications is an important objective for Council, as ultimately qualifications can lead to future employment,” Cr Gates said.

“A common barrier experienced is cost involved in transport to and from the host location, which inhibits the young person from participating.

“These small grants of up to $200 aim to bridge the gap and support young people to better position themselves for employment.”

Cr Gates said youth were the future of Campaspe Shire and assisting them to build skills to be a part of the workforce benefits the entire region.

“This is just one piece of the puzzle, but if it’s the difference between a young person completing a qualification or not, then the impact is significant.”

The grants have been made available through the State Government Office of the Youth’s Engage! funding, which council was successful in securing.

Applications are open until the end of the year or until funds are expended. To view the eligibility criteria or to apply, go to council’s website and click ‘Now Open’.

If you need assistance with your application, contact Community Programs Officer Ben Hearn on 1300 666 535.

Renaming Rochester’s Cohen Rd

Council has endorsed the renaming of Cohen Rd in Rochester in the interest of public safety.

Due to the duplication of the road name and some numbering with Cohen St in Rochester, Cohen Rd, between Zegelin Rd and Sullivan Rd, is suggested to become Kingfisher Rd.

Cohen Rd, between Pascoe St and Aitken Rd, is suggested to become Platypus Rd.

The renaming will shortly be advertised and open to community submissions.

Cohen St, between Sullivan Rd and Pascoe St, will not change.

Policy adoptions

Council adopted a refresh of Policy 168 – Street Naming and Numbering.

This policy provides a clear and consistent approach to the allocation and administration of naming streets and numbering properties across the shire.

Easy identification of properties is extremely significant to a range of service providers, including emergency services, postal services and utility providers.

Council also adopted new Policy 186 – Mooring Licences.

The policy provides direction on the governance of mooring licences within the Echuca bridge-to-bridge precinct and covers a variety of processes, including vacant mooring allocation for commercial and private operators, transfer of moorings and administrative changes to agreements.

Stanhope Farmers’ Day responsive grant

Council noted the Stanhope and District Development Committee Inc’s successful application to the Responsive Grants Program.

The committee received $450 to assist in the cost of catering and venue hire for the Stanhope Farmers’ Day that was held in July.