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Welcome to Mitchell Shire eNews. 4 June 2021
 

In this edition: Update on COVID-19 restrictions and what's open and what's not; apply for Youth Council; special Environment Day storytime; sports vouchers available; have your say on plans and projects.

Picture: Barbara Bainbridge took this photos of kangaroos in the frost at Hidden Valley.

 
 
Ditigal image of people connected around the globe
COVID RESTRICTIONS

Regional Victoria, which includes Mitchell Shire, will ease restrictions from today. While there are no restrictions on leaving home, there are some conditions that still apply.

  • Masks must be worn indoors, except in your home
  • No visitors to your home
  • You can visit up to 10 family and friends at outdoor public places
  • If you can work from home, you must work from home
  • Checking-in using the Service Victoria QR Code is mandatory and many places will need to ask for ID
  • You can only travel to Melbourne for permitted work or other essential reasons.

As these restrictions ease, we need to continue our COVIDSafe behaviours – most importantly to get tested at the first sign of symptoms, and get vaccinated if it’s our turn.

STAY INFORMED
 
 
COVID-19 SERVICE UPDATES

We’re able to re-open some of our services to regional Victorians. As part of the government requirements, we will be checking ID for location and monitoring QR code compliance so please make sure to bring some ID when you visit.

  • Customer Service Centres: open including Centrelink Terminal and VicRoads agency services
  • Call centre: open
  • Libraries: open, Babytime, Storytime and Rhymetime online and will be reviewed next week
  • Building and planning service desk: closed, phone and online available
  • Leisure centres including gyms, indoor pools and stadiums: closed 
  • Playgrounds, skateparks, outdoor gym equipment, outdoor basketball courts and bbqs: open
  • Community outdoor sport: able to restart in a limited capacity as new return to play plans are developed and approved
  • Indoor sport: closed
  • Resource Recovery Centres: Open for residents of Regional Victoria only 
  • Maternal and Child Health: open
  • Immunisation: open
  • Community centres and halls: able to open with some limits on numbers
  • Youth centres: Open from Monday
  • Kindergartens: open
  • School crossings: open 
  • Visitor Information Centre, Seymour: closed. Will review next week
  • Civic construction, maintenance and urgent repairs: open
  • Public toilets: open
  • Cleaning of public places: open

For a full list of Council service updates, please visit the COVID section of our website.

 
Lady getting vaccinated.
 
VACCINATION OPTIONS Vaccine available for over 40s
 

Victorians over the age of 40 are eligible for a COVID-19 vaccine helping protect themselves, their loved ones and our whole community.

People who are currently eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccine can book an appointment at a vaccination centre. Some centres also accept walk ins.

You can also get your COVID-19 vaccine through participating doctor's clinics or community health services.

Bookings can be made via the Coronavirus Hotline on 1800 675 398. The hotline is working better, but there may be some delays, please be patient. The vaccine is free.

 
BOOK YOUR VACCINE
 
Person on a headset
 
SUPPORT SERVICES We're here to help
 

The Victorian Government has partnered with local councils and local service providers to deliver the Community Activation and Social Isolation (CASI) initiative.

The service helps with urgent essentials, including food, medicine and hardship relief.

To access streamlined support, people can phone the Victorian Government COVID-19 hotline on 1800 675 398.

The Victorian Government also has a range of information about financial support packages for people impacted by COVID-19, mental health resources and family violence crisis response and support.

 
LEARN MORE
 
Group of youth councillors
 
FUTURE LEADERS Join Youth Council
 

We're looking for young community leaders to join our Youth Council.

Youth Council members can develop leadership skills and play a pivotal role in shaping the future of young people in our region.

Applications are still open for people 12-24 years of age and who live, work or study in Mitchell Shire.

If this sounds like you or someone you know, learn more or apply now.

 
APPLY NOW
 
Librarian with environment image
 
SPECIAL STORYTIME World Environment Day 5 June
 

If you missed our special World Environment Day storytime and colouring in competition don't worry, you can catchup on our Facebook page.

Prizes will be awarded for pre-school, primary school and secondary school categories as well as an Encouragement Award.

Download get creating and enter for your chance to win a beautifully illustrated educational children's book called Leaf Litter by award-winning author/illustrator Rachel Tonkin.

Competiton entries close at 9am, Monday 7 June 2021.

 
WATCH STORYTIME NOW
 
 
TALLAROOK MARKET

The Tallarook Farmers Market is on this Sunday from 8.30am until noon.

Shoppers will need to check in using the QR code and will be required to wear a mask if they can't physically distance outside and at all times when they go inside the hall.

It is recommened that people make a shopping list so they can shop and go.
 

MORE INFORMATION
Group on the steps of the hall at Tallarook Farmers Market
 
 
 
SPORTS VOUCHERS Helping families cover sports costs
 

The second round of the Victorian Government's Get Active Kids Voucher program is now open.

The program helps eligible families get their kids involved in organised sport and recreation activities by reimbursing the cost of membership and registration, uniforms and equipment.

Eligible children may be able to receive up to $200 each. Children must be aged 4 to 18 and named on a valid Health Care Card or Pensioner Concession Card and Medicare Card, or meet the Special Consideration criteria to be eligible.

This round of vouchers is available until 9 July.

 
APPLY NOW
 
Playground
 
MAINTENANCE WORKS Tower structure temporarily closed
 

The tower structure at the Community Bank ® Adventure Playground at Hadfield Park in Wallan will be temporarily closed for up to five days from Monday for maintenance work.

Rest assured, the rest of the playground will be open for all to enjoy.

If you're looking for other playgrounds close by, try our Near Me tool on front page of our website.

 
MORE PLAYGROUNDS
 
 
WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU
Input wanted
 

Aboriginal Cultural Heritage, Historic Cultural Heritage and Living Cultures Policy draft: We're presenting this document for input before we consider the policy for adoption. Submissions close 9am Thursday 1 July.

Draft King and Queen Street Masterplan: We're calling on a second round of submissions for the Draft King and Queen Street Masterplan, Wallan, to inform all submitters and those might still like to make a submission but want to find out more. Survey closes 9am Monday 7 June.

Road renaming proposal - Parker Court Seymour: We're proposing to rename Parker Court in Seymour to Parker Drive. Parker Court will become a 'through road' and will no longer meet the definition of a 'court'. Survey closes 9am Monday 28 June.

We have several other consultations open featured below and would like to hear your views and ideas. Please take the time to fill out some of the surveys and help shape the future of our community.

 
PROVIDE INPUT
 
 
Girl on play equipment
 
TIME TO PLAY New play spaces on the way
 

The activation of the Broadford parks and play spaces project includes an upgrade of the Memorial Park playground along with a new nature place space in Wattle Street and outdoor fitness equipment in Donaldson Drive.

We've already asked for input to Memorial Park and are currently finalising plans and getting ready for construction. Council is now looking for community input on the proposed nature play space and the outdoor fitness equipment.

There will be a drop-in session from 4.30pm - 5.30pm on Wednesday 23 June at the Wattle Street site. If we aren't able to hold the drop-in due to COVID restrictions, we'll advise of alternative arrangements.

The survey closes 9am, Monday 28 June.

 
HAVE YOUR SAY
 
Roadwords sign
 
FOCUS ON ROADS Road Management Plan review
 

We’re reviewing the way we manage our community’s more than 700kms of sealed roads, 714km of unsealed roads, 316kms of footpaths, 67 vehicle bridges and 41 pedestrian bridges.

Our Road Management Plan needs updating and we’ve put together a draft which is set to reduce repair timeframes for infrastructure that needs fixing and expanded our routine maintenance program.

The plan outlines:

  • Ownership of roads, footpaths and bridges in Mitchell Shire
  • Roles on responsibilities for infrastructure that is managed by more than one organisation or resident
  • Establish a clear management system
  • Our duties under the Road Management Act 2004.

Submissions close 9am, Monday 28 June

 
MAKE A SUBMISSION
 
Dog and cat
 
PLAN FOR CATS, DOGS Last days to have your say
 

We're developing a new Domestic Animal Management Plan and we want to know how you think we can better encourage responsible pet ownership and animal welfare for the management of dogs and cats in our shire.

The plan covers everything from minimising dog attacks, and rehoming surrendered or found animals to encouraging people to register and microchip cats and dogs.

Survey closes 9am Monday 7 June.

 
HAVE YOUR SAY
 
Rural landscape
 
RURAL LAND REVIEW Shape the future of rural areas
 

Community ideas and submissions on two draft plans will help inform future planning decisions in Mitchell Shire’s small towns and rural areas.

Council is seeking submissions on both the draft Rural Land Activities Review and Landscape Assessment Study.

We've had drop-in sessions in Clonbinane, Pyalong, Reedy Creek, Tallarook and Tooborac.

Submissions and feedback for the current round close 9am, Friday 11 June.

 
COMPLETE THE SURVEY
 
 
CURRENT VACANCIES Looking for a new career?
 

Have you considered a career with Mitchell Shire Council or do you know someone who is looking for work?
We are recruiting for the following roles:

  • Corporate Planner
  • Administration Officer - Operations and Parks
  • School Crossing Supervisor Relievers
  • Swim Instructors
 
APPLY ONLINE
 
 
COUNCIL MEETINGS June meetings
 

The upcoming Community Questions and Hearings Committee will be held online due to COVID restrictions. 

  • Tuesday 15 June: Community Questions and Hearings Committee
  • Monday 28 June: Council Meeting

You can watch previous meetings online.

 
WATCH MEETINGS
 
 
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Mitchell Shire Council, 113 High Street Broadford, Vic 3658
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