Tenders to repair the roof at Kilmore Leisure Centre's pool are currently being assessed, following the decision to close the pool due to safety concerns at the end of July.

Due to the value of the work, under State Legislation, a formal decision to consider appointing a company to carry out the works will be required at a Council meeting.

Council will fast-track this process as much as possible, whilst still taking the time to carry out careful assessment and consideration of options.

We hope to be in a position to confirm construction timelines shortly.

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There's been some community discussion about building an aquatic facility for Wallan and Beveridge.

This is a project Council supports and is something we have already started planning.

We recently received $150,000 from the Victorian Government for a feasibility study for a new aquatic facility in Southern Mitchell.

We’re now preparing a tender for the study which will include an opportunity for the community to provide input on the sorts of activities they’d like to see at the new centre.

After that, we’ll finalise some concepts and prepare some indicative costs, so we can apply for funding to build the facility.

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We're building a new shared pathway for pedestrians and cyclists along Watson Street, Wallan (west of Wellington Street), with new parking bays and a footpath along Dudley Street.

We've letterboxed residents in the area and we're holding drop-in sessions on 20 September for people interested in finding out more.

You can also learn more and provide feedback online. 

Submissions close on Friday 21 September 2018.

	HAVE YOUR SAY

We are continuing to invest heavily in improving the quality of local roads, with $1.5 million to re-sheet more than 45km of unsealed roads in 2018/19 – double the allocation of last year.

We've got 65 stretches of road scheduled for improvements across the shire including in Broadford, Kilmore, Glenaroua, Glenhope, Hilldene, Mangalore, Mia Mia, Pyalong, Reedy Creek, Seymour, Tallarook, Tooborac, Tyaak, Willowmavin and Whiteheads Creek.

We're currently working on drainage preparations for the resheeting program and expect the road surface work starting in December, depending on weather conditions.

	VIEW THE LIST

The 14 heritage-style street lights that line Sydney Street in Kilmore have been given a modern touch, with new energy-efficient LED light fittings installed recently.

Two LED lights, which are brighter and cheaper to run, were trialled earlier this year, before the remaining light fittings were installed.

The light fittings have been colour-matched to the existing poles and will provide increased lighting levels and will be better for the environment.

To maintain their health and ensure they are in full bloom over spring and summer, pruning of the Robinia trees in Sydney Street happened recently.

Pruning is undertaken at this time each year to make sure they remain in good condition, and for community safety to ensure they don't become top-heavy and fall.

While the pruning can appear severe, it is important the arborists prune the limbs right back to the trunks so that the trees aren't at risk of becoming too top-heavy.

Foliage on the trees will grow back fast and they will be in full bloom over the coming months.

We've got you covered these school holidays with intensive swimming lessons, a pool inflatable party, stadium games, family feud and craft activities at Seymour Sports and Aquatic Centre.

We've also got creche fun. Kilmore Leisure Centre will host Spring arts and crafts, a Spring picnic, biscuit decorating and self portait painting. 

Seymour will host a pyjama day, teddy bears' picnic, mad science day, crazy hair and face paint day and cooking. 

	PROGRAM AND BOOKING DETAILS

Our libraries in Broadford, Kilmore, Seymour and Wallan will be hosting balloon frogs and bird house making workshops. 

We've also got the older kids covered with our youth services excursion to Kinglake Forest Adventures (bus pick up available from Broadford, Kilmore, Seymour and Wallan). 

Focus Fitness Australia is also hosting four healthy cooking and fitness workshops (suits ages 10-24). 

	PROGRAM AND BOOKING DETAILS

We've been replacing 20,000 kerbside bins across the shire.

We've received many questions about why the bins need to be replaced. 

While many of the bins still look okay, most of them are more than 15 years old and the number of requests we are receiving to replace damaged bins is increasing. 

With the bins getting older, it is likely that these requests will continue to increase in the future. It is more cost effective to replace the bins in bulk than address each request individually. 

We've prepared a handy video and infographic to explain the change. 

	WATCH THE VIDEO

Our bin replacement program is coming to an end. We anticipate this should happen over the next few weeks on normal recycling days.

Please continue to leave your bins out all day during your normal recycling run so they can be swapped over.

If you have received new bins and your old bins haven’t been collected, please contact Customer Service during business hours on 5734 6200.

Most areas of Wallan, including Hidden Valley and Mandalay Estate in Beveridge, are not included in this replacement program as most of the bins are newer. Some rural areas are also not included in this program, but will be considered for replacement as part of a future bin replacement program.

	READ FAQS

We're taking to the airwaves for our monthly radio program.

• Thursday 20 September, 9am to 10am on Seymour FM, 103.9FM
• Monday 24 September, 10am to 11am on OKR FM, 98.3FM and 97.1FM in Wallan

You can listen live through your FM radio or online.

Our next Council meeting will be held next week at the Broadford Council Chamber, Broadford Civic Centre, 113 High Street.

This is a great opportunity to see your Councillors in action. All welcome.

The agenda will be published online later this week under our Council meeting page.