CAMERON WARD COUNCILLOR’S REPORT May 2008

COMMUNITY CABINET IN HEPBURN SHIRE

Throughout the two days of 19 & 20 May, the Hepburn Shire hosted the 83rd ‘Community Cabinet’ during which time the Premier and virtually the entire cabinet visited various parts of the Shire and made some fantastic announcements.

On Tuesday 20 May, over 100 residents from the Hepburn & Central Goldfields Shires attended ‘Round Table’ discussions with the Premier and Ministers. I found the whole experience an exhilarating one and more so because more references were made about Clunes and Back to Booktown by the Premier and various Ministers throughout two days than any other event or activity conducted in the Shire. Word has obviously got back to Spring Street about what has been happening in Clunes.

Minister for Roads, Tim Pallas visited Clunes on the Monday to announce a $1.75 million ‘safety upgrade’ of the Ballarat – Maryborough Road from Miners Rest to Maryborough.

BACK TO BOOKTOWN - $30,000 GRANT

Speaking of Back to Booktown, on Friday 14 March the Honourable Joe Helper, Minister for Agriculture & Small Business and Member for Ripon announced a grant of $30,000 over two years to assist in staging the Back to Booktown event in May of each year.

The grant has been provided by Regional Development Victoria under its Regional Events funding program and matching funding has been provided by the Hepburn Shire.

As we know, Back to Booktown was an outstanding success and the sterling efforts of the Organising Committee – under the inspirational leadership of Dr Tess Brady – and the scores of volunteers are to be commended. The event ranks as the second main event in the Hepburn Shire and given that there are around 40 major events conducted each year, this is a significant achievement.

GILLIES ROAD

For those of us who travel along Gillies Road, it was always a source of annoyance that a small section at the T intersection with the Clunes-Creswick Road had remained un-constructed for many years. This had been a matter of disagreement between Hepburn Shire and the City of Ballarat. This section has recently been constructed with a $20,000 contribution from Council.

CLUNES BOWLING CLUB - $45,000 GRANT

Joe Helper was back in Clunes on Friday 18 April to announce a grant of $45,594 under the State Government’s Sustainable Greens funding program. The grant followed an application submitted through the Shire’s Recreation Advisory Committee and was afforded a high priority by Council. The funds will be used to replace the existing turf on one of the two greens.

FORMER FREE LENDING LIBRARY BUILDING

A $6,000 grant was recently received to undertake further investigation into the structural problems associated with this building.

SERVICE REQUESTS

To register any issue relating to maintenance of roads, drains, street and roadside trees etc you can contact the Council as follows:

Telephone 5348 1577
Fax 5348 2911
Email shire@hepburn.vic.gov.au

By using these contact numbers you will find that the process of responding to your requests will be much more efficient.

Tim Hayes
Councillor
Cameron Ward