Draft budget released for public comment

Media Release - Tuesday 14th May 2013

A commitment to roads, community-driven projects and maintaining services through a period of financial pressure underpins Corangamite Shire’s draft 2013-2014 budget.

Mayor Chris O’Connor said 2013-2014 would in many ways be a year of financial recovery for the Council following an unprecedented Defined Benefits Superannuation call of $2.9 million paid this financial year and government grant reductions.

“What we have done is build a budget that will deliver what the community values, while at the same time managing a period of fiscal recovery,” Cr O’Connor said.

The draft budget includes;

• $6.2 million for capital road works
• $5 million for other capital works including playgrounds, footpaths, bridges and buildings
• $673,000 for community planning projects

Councillors this evening voted to approve the draft budget for public comment. It includes a five per cent municipal rate rise.

Cr O’Connor said it was a challenging time for Local Government.

“Council’s cash position has been impacted this year by about $6 million due to the Defined Benefits call, a reduction in grants and the timing of other grants,” he said.

“The key focus of this draft budget is to recover from those external hits quickly, while at the same time spending more on roads and more on community planning projects.”

Mayor Chris O’Connor said the Council had been forced to lift waste collection charges by 7.2 per cent to meet added costs imposed by the EPA, including the landfill levy and the requirement to install liners at the Naroghid Landfill.

“The other measure taken to restore our cash position quickly is the proposed introduction of a one-off $60 municipal charge on all properties,” he said.

“This has been designed to provide a cash injection now when we need it, but without raising rates above five per cent which would have had a compounding effect into the future. In essence, we’re taking a short term pain approach.”

Cr O’Connor said the combined impact of the five per cent rate rise, 7.2 per cent waste collection increase and the additional $60 municipal charge would be an 8.2 per cent rise in rates and charges on an average property.

“The flipside of this is that our longer term financial planning forecasts that the net impact of this 8.2 per cent rise will drop considerably in 2014-2015 following our recovery,” he said.

“As an organisation we have already worked hard to find more than $800,000 in efficiency gains, project deferrals and other savings this financial year to lessen the impact of these external events on ratepayers. In addition to that we saved nearly $100,000 in interest costs by paying our $2.9 million Defined Benefits call early.”

Cr O’Connor said more than $670,000 was budgeted to deliver priority projects identified by communities through Council’s Building Stronger Corangamite Communities project.

“Seven of the 12 community plans have already been completed, another one is almost done and the last four will be completed in 2013-2014,” he said.

“Great community-inspired projects are underway right across the Shire and some have already been completed. Other communities are just getting started with their plans.

“We were determined to ensure that the hard work of all our communities, in coming together to develop these plans, continues to be rewarded with funds to help deliver their visions.”

Cr O’Connor said council’s funds would be used to attract grants for many of the projects.

“We’ve budgeted for these community projects to attract up to $1.3 million in external funds which would mean $2 million will be injected into community plan outcomes,” he said.

The Council has also budgeted for $11.2 million in capital works, including $6.21 million on roads – up from $6.16 million this year.

“Despite the tough times, we will not compromise on our local road network. It’s important we continue to be a leader in our road assessment, maintenance and renewal techniques.”

The 2013-2014 draft budget can be downloaded from the Council’s website at www.corangamite.vic.gov.au. It is also on display at the Council offices in Camperdown and at libraries across the shire.

Submissions will be received until 5pm on Wednesday 12 June 2013. People wishing to be heard on their submissions will have the opportunity to do so on Thursday 20 June.

The budget is expected to be adopted with or without change at Council’s ordinary meeting on Tuesday 25 June 2013.

Organising your business – Corangamite Shire

Corangamite Shire together with Small Business Victoria is offering an opportunity for business owners to get their businesses organised on Wednesday 24 April.
The seminar provides tips on how to organise workload and how to prioritise to make the business run more efficiently.
Economic development officer, Sara Napier, encouraged people to attend to gain the skills needed to get organised and stay that way.
“At this workshop participants will discover ways to improve business efficiency through effective time management and prioritising tasks,” she said.
“With the end of financial year approaching, now is the time to get the business organised to finalise the current financial year, and be prepared for the next one.”
Nigel Lane will facilitate the session. Mr Lane has extensive business experience including several sales and marketing roles with large transport companies in the UK before becoming a local director of an international charity.
Mrs Napier said the workshop had been designed to reveal the information, tools and tips needed to better structure a work life balance and manage time.
“This seminar will benefit both new and experienced business owners.”
Tickets are available from the Corangamite Shire for $20 per person, or via the Corangamite Shire Economic Development website www.businesscorangamite.com.au
For further information please contact Mrs Napier on 5593 7100.

Starting your business workshop

Media Release – Tuesday 19th March 2013 – Corangamite Shire

A workshop for those planning on starting a business will be held in Camperdown this month.

Council’s economic development officer, Sara Napier said the workshop would be valuable for anyone considering opening their own local business.

“People will be able to find out what they need to know to make sure their business gets off to a successful start,” Mrs Napier said.

“Topics covered in the workshop include assessing the viability of idea, pointers on writing a business plan and identification of other useful resources.

“Workshop participants will also receive a voucher for one free mentoring session with the Small Business Mentoring Service.”

The three-and-a-half hour workshop will be held on Wednesday 27 March at 6pm with tickets available from the Corangamite Shire for $30 per person. Bookings are essential for catering purposes.

George Barrett, co-founder and Managing Director of Mentors and Business Coaches International, will be leading the course.

Mr Barrett specialises in mentoring and coaching businesses to achieve their full potential.

For more information about any of these business events please contact Mrs Napier on 5593 7193 or visit the Corangamite Shire’s Economic Development website www.businesscorangamite.com.au

Nominations open for Ballarat Heritage Awards

MEDIA RELEASE  -  Date: Monday 14 January 2013

Nominations for the 2013 Ballarat Heritage Awards are now open.

Presented by the City of Ballarat in partnership with the National Trust (Ballarat Branch), the awards recognise those who have demonstrated excellence, innovation and best practice in heritage areas including built heritage, historic collections, historical research and heritage skills.

The Ballarat Heritage Awards are open to domestic and commercial projects, from both government and non-government sectors and are presented in the following categories:

1. Creative/Adaptive Reuse of a Heritage Place
2. New Work/Development within a Heritage Area
3. Conservation of a Heritage Place or Historic Collection
4. Special Heritage Skills
5. Heritage Innovation

Nominations close at 5pm on Thursday 28 February, 2013. The awards will be presented at a ceremony on Friday 10 May.

Winners from each category will receive a commemorative plaque, certificate and will be entered into the National Trust Regional State Awards.

Nomination forms can be downloaded from Council’s website at www.ballarat.vic.gov.au or a hard copy can be collected from Council’s Customer Service Centre, The Phoenix, 25 Armstrong Street South.

Completed submission forms can be lodged to ballcity@ballarat.vic.gov.au or by mail to City of Ballarat, Ballarat Heritage Awards 2013, PO Box 655, Ballarat, 3350 or in person at the Town Hall.

For more information visit www.ballarat.vic.gov.au

Corangamite Shire: Australia Day nominees 2013

Media Release:  Wed 2nd Jan 2013 – Corangamite Shire

Mayor Chris O’Connor is pleased to today announce Corangamite Shire’s 2013 Australia Day Awards nominees.
The picturesque Dalvui homestead and gardens in Noorat will this year host Corangamite Shire’s celebrations on Saturday 26 January when the community will come together to congratulate award recipients.
Cr O’Connor said a total of 23 nominations were received for this year’s awards.
“The four major awards, Citizen of the Year, Community Event of the Year and Young Male and Female Citizens of the Year will be announced on the day,” he said.
“I’m looking forward to the winners being announced at Noorat on Australia Day and recognising all other nominees with achievement awards.”
The awards and community celebrations will be held in Noorat from 10am. Presentations will be followed by a morning tea and live music around the gardens provided by Lakes and Craters Band and Tune-A-Week.
Cr O’Connor encouraged people to bring family and friends to enjoy the Dalvui gardens and entertainment provided.
“Australia Day is an important opportunity to celebrate what’s great about our country,” Cr O’Connor said.

The Citizen of the Year nominees are:

• Mrs Margaret Anson, Glenfyne
• Mr Gary Cole, Terang
• Mrs Elizabeth Cuthbert, Camperdown
• Mr Peter Daffy, Camperdown
• Mr Bob Lambell, Camperdown
• Mr Arthur Matsakos, Camperdown
• Mrs Kate Meade, Camperdown
• Ms Bronwyn O’Keeffe, Glenormiston North
• Mr Milton Parlour, Cobden
• Mr Frank Riordon, Terang
• Mrs Pat Robertson, Camperdown
• Mr Len Wiseman, Camperdown.

The Community Event of the Year nominees are:

• Camperdown Pastoral & Agricultural Society Annual Show, Camperdown
• Camperdown Cruise Rockabilly Weekend, Camperdown
• Kangaroobie Klassic, Princetown
• Terang Country Music Festival, Terang
• Western Plains Spinners & Weavers Craft School, Glenormiston
• Camperdown College Year 6 Operation Christmas Child Team, Camperdown.

The Young Male Citizen of the Year nominees are:

• Daniel Watson, Timboon
• Travis Green, Cobden
• Scott Green, Glenfyne

The Young Female Citizen of the Year nominees are:

• Elizabeth Smart, Camperdown
• Jessica Gaut, Camperdown.

Cr O’Connor said the winners of the Citizen of the Year, Young Male and Female Citizens of the Year and Community Event of the Year had been selected by a panel of Councillors.

“The selection process was quite challenging with the high calibre of events and community members nominated by their peers for the awards,” he said.

Swimming season kicks off

Media Release – Tuesday 20th November 2012 – Corangamite Shire
All pools across Corangamite Shire will open on 24 November with free entry on the first day for all attendees.
Corangamite Shire’s recreation development officer Jarrod Woff said Skipton, Lismore, Camperdown, Terang, Cobden, and Timboon swimming pools would all open at the same time this year.
“With plenty of activities planned during the season by the YMCA and the availability of early morning lap swimming at most pools we are hoping for a bumper season,” Mr Woff said.
“Other activities on offer between November and March include Family Fun Days, BBQ’s and “Dive in Movies” at Lismore 6 January and Timboon 18 January,” he said.
People interested in purchasing a seasons ticket can do so from any of the Corangamite pools. The ticket can be used at all of the six shire pools.
Mr Woff said with the weather warming up swimming was a good way to keep active and cool at the same time.
“Whether you choose to swim for fun or for fitness taking advantage of your local swimming pool is highly recommended,” he said.
To confirm opening times please contact your local pool on the following numbers:
Skipton – 5340 2234
Lismore – 5596 2212
Camperdown – 5593 1435
Terang – 5592 1862
Cobden – 5595 1172
Timboon – 5598 3285.
For further information about fees contact Corangamite Shire Council on 5593 7100.

Cobden Playspace

Media Release – Thurs 15th Nov 2012 – Corangamite Shire
The redevelopment of Apex Park Playspace in Cobden has taken another step forward following the development of initial designs for the site.
Corangamite Shire recreation development officer Jarrod Woff said the project steering committee was planning to create an area of natural play, incorporating play equipment.
“With the assistance of Forpark Australia the committee is commencing design of an all ages and abilities playspace that will link in with the lake reserve,” Mr Woff said.
“We are looking forward to creating a large recreation area for children and adults to enjoy for many years to come,” he said.
Designs for the space have been developed from a number of ideas generated by the community at a meeting held earlier this year. The designs are planned to include a designated area for young children including a basket swing, sand play area and walking path connecting all the features of the space.
South Central Ward Councillor Jo Beard said both the Council and the project steering committee were looking forward to presenting their ideas to Cobden residents.
“We strive to continually deliver high quality recreational facilities for our residents as being active and healthy is important to our region,” Cr Beard said.
“All ages are being catered for in the design including an adult exercise station which allows parents the opportunity to get active, whilst children play,” she said.
Mr Woff said the Cobden Playspace project steering committee would continue to meet to ensure the best design was presented to the public for comment.
For further information about Cobden Playspace please contact Mr Woff on 5593 7175.

Registering your business

Media Release – 26th September 2012 – Corangamite Shire
Business owners are reminded to register their business with Council if they are offering services for beauty therapy, hairdressing, skin penetration and tattooing.
Corangamite Shire’s environmental health officer Rebecca Schack also encouraged customers to ensure the business they attended was registered.
“The categories of business that are required to be registered have been selected on the basis that the activities carried out in these businesses are believed to pose a relatively high public health risk,” Ms Schack said.
“Unsafe or unhygienic practices in personal care and body art businesses can lead to the spread of infectious diseases that can affect the health of the client as well as jeopardise the health of the operator,” she said.
Illnesses such as hepatitis B, hepatitis C and HIV/AIDS can be spread by blood-to-blood contact so it is essential for staff to understand the precautions required for any procedure that may involve skin penetration and possible blood contamination.
Ms Schack said personal care and body art businesses should provide professional, competent, safe and hygienic practices in clean premises.
“Before operating a personal care and/or body art business, the proprietor/operator must submit an application for registration and obtain approval before opening,” she said.
“This requirement is also standard for businesses operating from the proprietor’s home”.
The Department of Health has published Health Guidelines for Personal Care and Body Art Industries to assist proprietors and operators with both general and industry specific requirements for registration under the Public Health and Wellbeing Act 2009.
For more information regarding skin penetration or health guidelines people can look up the Department of Health website www.health.vic.gov.au

New Director of People and Communities for Ballarat

Thursday 12th July 2012 – City Of Ballarat
The City of Ballarat is pleased to welcome Dr Jane Stanley to the position of Director of the People and Communities portfolio.
City of Ballarat CEO, Anthony Schinck said Dr Stanley was selected from a highly competitive field of candidates and will be a valuable addition to Council’s senior management team.
“The City of Ballarat undertook an extensive recruitment search of excellent candidates for the community focused role of Director of People and Communities and we are delighted to welcome Jane Stanley to the team,” said Mr Schinck.
“Dr Stanley has strong track record of local government service delivery roles in NSW, Queensland and most recently Victoria, as well as extensive experience in private consulting in Australia overseas”.
“The City of Ballarat is fortunate to have attracted a candidate of Dr Stanley’s calibre to this position and we welcome her to our organisation and city”.
The City of Ballarat’s Director of People and Communities manages a number of Council’s key service departments including recreation, youth, community development, family and children’s services, aged and disability services, and municipal emergency management.
“I am thrilled to be in Ballarat and taking on the challenges of this portfolio for the city” said Dr Stanley.
“I have met with the portfolio councillors and all of my teams and we are getting on with working together to deliver the services that are important to the city”.
“I am looking forward to getting a new team in place for addressing sport and recreation needs in this community, to build on the strong work that has been done and to deliver a greater emphasis on recreation in Ballarat”.
“I will also be looking forward to working with the youth team and stakeholders to strengthen and align our programs for youth”.
“Over the next twelve months we will commence $2.4 million in construction works on four day care centres, we will roll out the new mobile library service to new locations and complete works on the regional football facility”.
“This is an exciting time for Ballarat and I am pleased to be involved with the growth that is occurring now and will take place over the next few years”.
Dr Stanley has extensive experience in housing, community development, engagement and planning and has served on Ministerial Advisory Committees, the Board of the Planning Institute of Australia and the Eastern Regional Organisation for Planning and Human Settlements.
Dr Stanley’s international experience includes PhD research in Kumasi, Ghana, studying rural-urban migration and slum survival. In Scotland she worked for a community-based housing association and was heavily involved with the revitalisation of inner city Glasgow, She was elected Director of the Scottish Federation of Housing Associations. She has been an international consultant for AusAID, the World Bank and the United Nations, and within Australia she has worked extensively with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
Dr Stanley was most recently the Manager of the Advancing Country Towns initiative for the Colac Otway Shire Council. Dr Stanley has PhD qualifications in Architecture / Social Economic Research as well as a number of other professional qualifications.

Volunteer workshop

Thursday 12th July 2012 – Corangamite Shire
Heytesbury District Landcare Network in conjunction with Corangamite Shire will be running a free workshop on how to recruit and retain volunteers.
The workshop will feature guest presenter Jacqueline Brodie-Hanns and will run from 9.30am to 1pm at the Timboon Recreation Reserve on Monday 23 July.
Landcare coordinator Geoff Rollinson said the workshop would examine the changing landscape of volunteering and how it impacts on an organisation.
“It will look at how a community group or committee can benefit from the changes and what changes need to made within a group to attract volunteers,” Mr Rollinson said.
“Workshop topics include episodic or one-off volunteering, engaging skilled and corporate volunteers and exploring new ways to attract and recruit volunteers,” he said.
Presenter Brodie-Hanns has been volunteering for 30 years and has extensive experience working with community, youth and event volunteers.
Mr Rollinson said the workshop was an opportunity to share concerns, raise queries, gain an insight into current trends and patterns, discover new resources and learn from a group of committed volunteers.
“We are running the volunteer workshop as part of a series of events,” he said.
The series includes:

• Volunteer recruitment and retention 23 July 2012.
• Financial Management: Keeping financial records and budgeting, also how to apply for funding – 30 August 2012.

For more information about any of the workshops please contact Mr Rollinson on 5598 3755

Next Page »