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| Mayor’s Report
17 November 2009
WETLANDS WALK
It was a pleasure to attend the official opening of Stage 2 of the River Heritage and Wetlands Trail in Sale last weekend celebrating a path that extends from the Port of Sale to the Swing Bridge. The Institute of Engineers also unveiled a plaque to recognise both the Swing Bridge and the Sale Navigation Canal as Sites of National Engineering Heritage.
The Wellington Shire now has management responsibilities for the Swing Bridge and has done extensive redevelopment of the area that welcomes many tourists to see the unique Swing Bridge – the only working swinging bridge in Australia. We continue to seek its inclusion in the National Heritage List despite a recent letter suggesting our nomination was unsuccessful for the second time.
Congratulations to the Sale Rotary Club and the effervescent Alan Lewis for the opening celebrations.
EVENTS AND CELEBRATIONS
Perhaps with the coming of Spring the Shire sprouts many significant local Festivals and Events to welcome the season. The Maffra and Sale Agricultural shows were again tremendous showcases of our Agricultural producers as well as giving local children many memorable times with the Yarram show to come.
The Heyfield “Camp Oven Festival” continues to grow in numbers and their committee should be congratulated for their achievements. I wonder if some of my fellow Councillors did not arrange me to be a part of the judging team of the Damper competition which was truly delicious but certainly did not assist in my Mayor’s Challenge weight loss program!
The Sale Turf Club ran a very successful Sale Cup – it must be the best race club in Gippsland – while St Thomas’ Arts Alive and The Devon North Red Cross also held successful events. Special mention also to the Stratford Lions Club in hosting the 2O1V3 conference for which the Shire was pleased to host a Civic Reception.
GREENWASTE AMNESTY
There was a pleasing take up of the Greenwaste Amnesty over the weekend of November 17 and 18 with over 1000 cubic tonnes of green waste being deposited at the Shire’s transfer stations. The “winners” were Sale Transfer Station with over 250 cubic tonnes and Loch Sport Transfer Station close behind. Well done to the willing workers who put in a huge weekend.
MAV STATE CONFERENCE
Several Councillors attended the Municipal Association of Victoria’s Annual Conference in Melbourne during the month. This well-attended event allowed Councillors to hear about the latest local government initiatives as well as providing networking opportunities with fellow Councillors.
During the day of the conference, Councillors attended a special briefing at Geoscience Victoria under the direction of Dr Geoffrey O’Brien and his team of scientists. This informative three dimensional display demonstrated the geology of the Gippsland Basin as well as the possible affects of Carbon Capture and Storage. Whilst there is much more research that has to be done, we left with a feeling of confidence in the people leading the process and the way they are cognisant of the competing demands of the local environment together with the need for absolute safety of the process for Gippsland people. The Council will continue to keep a close eye on the research which will have profound effects on the way we might use our local resources in a carbon constrained world.
The Council also led a motion at the Conference on allowing flexibility on the local school bus network. Whilst the debate was high-jacked by some councils trying to turn the issue into a “Nanny State” debate on public safety, we shall continue to demand that the Government make the school bus network more accessible to local people.
COAL COUNCILS
Wellington Shire has formally joined the Memorandum of Understanding between Coal Councils of Australia working with Latrobe City, Issac Regional Council, Newcastle City Council, Muswellbrook Shire Council, The Shire of the Whitsundays and Central Highlands Regional Shire.
Representatives of the Coal Councils had a very good meeting with Penny Wong last month and another meeting with Anthony Albanese is planned for 24 November in Canberra which we shall be attending.
This is an opportunity for our Shire to advocate with the Federal Government about assistance for these coal communities during the necessary transitional arrangements associated with the Emissions Trading Scheme.
It continues our strong advocacy at the highest level in such areas as Timber, Agriculture, and the Defence industries.
GOODBYE AND GOOD LUCK
This is my final report as the Mayor of the Wellington Shire as I shall not be seeking re-election at our meeting on 1 December. It is time for another voice.
There have been many important moments of the year including the dedication of our staff and volunteers during the terrible bushfires of Black Saturday and the subsequent recovery efforts; our advocacy on a number of fronts with the State and Federal Governments, including three delegations to Canberra during the year and one to the Hunter Region; the Victorian Swimming Championships at Aqua Energy; the Artists Unite Fundraiser at the Fitzroy Town Hall with the City of Yarra; the Triple J One Night Stand; the funding, planning and turning of the sod at the Gippsland Regional Sports Complex; the pursuit of the Interim Basic Flying Training Service with Sale being one of the preferred location; the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding with the University of Ballarat to provide local higher education courses; the opening of the Yarram Woolworths store; the joint efforts with Latrobe City to pursue funding for new business initiatives and the social impacts of the CPRS, including signing of the Coal Councils MOU; the appointment of a new CEO, Tim Johnson and acknowledging the commitment of our previous CEO, Lyndon Webb; funding for the upgrade of the Esso BHP Billiton Wellington Entertainment Centre and the best-ever Small Towns Summit, which took place in Maffra.
But the highlights would be the wonderful opportunity to meet the community of Wellington, work with the dedicated staff and to lead the best group of Councillors in Victoria. I thank each of them for allowing me the privilege of being their Mayor and look forward to returning to the “Back Bench” where I shall continue to advocate for the community and support the efforts of the next Mayor in whatever way I can.
COUNCILLOR DARREN MCCUBBIN
MAYOR
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