| Mayor’s Report
2 February 2010
HPV NURSERY OPENING
The Mayor, Councillor Amos, the CEO and members of the Shire’s Economic Development Unit attended the official opening of the HPV nursery in Gelliondale. HVP manages substantial forestry resources in central Gippsland. It is an important supplier to major players such as Australian Paper and locally supplies product to Carter Holt Harvey, whose Yarram Mill is a significant local employer in that town. HVP is a significant part of the Gippsland forestry and an important regional employer in its own right.
This new specialist tree breeding and propagation centre is an important part of its business operation and Wellington Shire is extremely pleased that HVP had the confidence to invest $11m in this facility.
This new facility has many benefits for the Shire. Not the least being that it will provide greatly improved water use and has expanded employment, both during construction and now as it enters operation.
I am pleased that Wellington Shire Council’s Economic Development Unit staff was able to work closely with HVP and Regional Development Victoria for many months to resolve a range of issues in the early stages of this proposal.
When Murray-Goulburn’s local facility closed some time ago, jobs were lost and many felt the future of Yarram was grim – it just isn’t so and this new development proves it.
I see this as the start of a new period of growth for Yarram. The certainty and jobs it provides for the local economy are very welcome indeed.
I thank the Victorian Government for their assistance in getting this project off the ground, but most importantly I thank HVP for their confidence, commitment and cooperation in seeing this project to fruition.
WELLINGTON SPORTS AWARDS
The Mayor joined Councillors Hole, O’Brien and Amos at the Wellington Sports Awards on 7 December. These awards are jointly sponsored by Wellington Shire Council, Sporting Legends Club and the Gippsland Times.
Congratulations to the Joint Wellington Sports Stars of the Year, Craig Huffer and Jeremy Meyer, as well as the interim winners Josh Cashman, Sarah Crowe, Nash Holmes, Sophie Jackson, Harry O’Reilly, Dermot Prout, Madelaine Richardson, Mia Ross and Harrison Savage.
Congratulations also to all of the coaches, parents and supporters of these young sports stars. The immense amount of work (predominately voluntary) is very much appreciated by Council and, I am sure, the community at large.
GOLDEN BEACH VISITOR INFORMATION CENTRE AND SENIORS INTERNET KIOSK
Golden Beach Community Hall has always been a central focus of activity for the people of the Ninety Mile Beach. There are many halls in our shire that that are beloved by the community but are hardly used. This is not the case in Golden Beach. This hall committee and the Ratepayers and Residents Association to their credit recognise that a hall is a significant asset that can serve as far more than an occasional meeting place.
I congratulate the Ratepayers and Residents Association for this latest venture that provides far broader and more regular use of the hall. That is a good thing, but it is not the only thing. The services that are now provided from the hall are the major benefit. They benefit the local community and passing tourists. Both outcomes contribute to the ongoing health and development of our beach community.
Internet services in smaller communities are a real problem. Frequently people either cannot get or afford the broadband services which operate substantially faster than traditional dial up connections. This new kiosk delivers this faster service to the community. Most importantly it particularly targets seniors in the community – a group that is frequently forgotten when it comes to new technologies – but not forgotten in Golden Beach. Visiting seniors will also appreciate the resting area, newspapers, magazines and wheel chair accessible toilets that are available.
The other new service is of course the Visitor Information Service.
Travellers now have a central point to stop and seek that all important local information – and we know it will be accurate because it will be provided by a local. Not only will they get local information but they will also be able to get on the internet and check what’s been happening back home in Melbourne, Munich or Manchester. As an added attraction the art gallery will have variable local scenes by Wellington artists. We should not under estimate the added economic value these services will bring to the local economy.
Again I congratulate the volunteers of the Ratepayers and Residents Association. Their initiative and good work with the hall committee has turned this community hall into a wonderful example as to what a hall could become in the hands of an innovative and dedicated community.
MAYOR’S FITNESS CHALLENGE
I congratulate Cr McCubbin, as Mayor of the time, for this great initiative. Dare I say it proved his fitness to be a Mayor. However that doesn’t mean he was fit. I think I can safely say he was the first to admit that his fitness could be improved. Once that confession was out, the rest of us felt we too could admit that we weren’t exactly in great shape. Myself and Cr O’Brien were quick to sign on to the challenge – it takes a big man to admit you might be overweight, and we were big men.
What was great was that many members of the community, including some of the Council staff, fell in behind us. I knew they were behind us because often I could hear their footsteps pounding on the running track behind me. I dared not stop because I knew I would be overtaken by one of them at any moment.
Wellington Shire Council has been committed to creating healthy lifestyles within our community for a long time. We even have a healthy lifestyles unit. It is great when that philosophy is put into action. The fact that three Councillors and a good number of the community became involved meant we are succeeding in translating the healthy lifestyle philosophy into action.
Everyone who entered this challenge has won. They may or may not be lighter, but they are definitely more active and healthier and that is the point of our healthy lifestyle approach.
FLOODING CREEK LANDCARE
The Flooding Creek Landcare group celebrated their 10th anniversary in January at the Saleyards Linear Park.
I’m proud that Council has been working in partnership with the Flooding Creek Landcare Group since 2000. Projects that this group has undertaken have led to a marked improvement in the Flooding Creek environs. This group was a key stakeholder in the development of the Flooding Creek Masterplan adopted in 2005, which is now being progressively implemented by Council, again with the help of this group. The contribution to the Saleyards rehabilitation project has also been considerable and much appreciated by Council.
The Flooding Creek Landcare Group is of course all volunteers. They have been ably supported by other volunteers including private owners, schools, Fulham Correctional Centre, Greening Australia, more recently SELF and most importantly by Sale Cubs and Scouts over many years.
Our community cannot take volunteers for granted. We need to recognise their importance and celebrate their achievements. We need to be more aware of what volunteers contribute to our world.
One of the great things about volunteers is that they inspire others. Everyone knows someone who's a volunteer and we're often inspired by the great work of volunteer projects and organisations. Landcare is a shining example.
It was the late John Jago, former Mayor and Councillor, who ten years ago had the foresight to call the inaugural meeting to form Flooding Creek Landcare Group. John, of course, had many community interests. Kilmany Uniting Care, Community Foundations Australasia, and donations to our own art gallery, were just some of his activities.
The Flooding Creek Landcare Group is committed to rehabilitating Flooding Creek. I believe so far they have completed 11 projects along its length. The creek is becoming once again an environmental and recreational asset to Wellington. While the public has recently rediscovered the southern lengths of the creek, I will boldly predict that they will also rediscover the western lengths of the creek. Over time, their work will be more and more recognised as people realise the extent of these rehabilitation projects and the core environmental and landscape values of this creek.
I congratulate the Flooding Creek Landcare Group and encourage the community to explore their walking tracks and to become involved in their projects.
Mayoral Duties
The Mayor represented Council at the following events:
•11 December 2009 - Meeting with Air Vice-Marshal Geoff Brown, AM – Canberra
•14 December 2009 Sale College Presentations and Awards Night
•16 December 2009 Yarram Secondary College 58th Annual Awards Presentation
•18 December 2009 Opening of New Golden Beach Community Visitor Information & Business Centre & Internet Kiosk for Seniors
•9 January 2010 Flooding Creek Landcare 10th Anniversary
•17 January 2010 Celebrate and give thanks to Ministry of Dean Brian Turner
•22 January 2010 Maffra and Heyfield Pool RLCIP Official Openings
•26 January 2010 Australia Day Celebrations at Sale, Maffra and Stratford
•26 January 2010 – Citizenship Ceremony Sale
COUNCILLOR SCOTT ROSSETTI
MAYOR
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