The Macedon Ranges Shire Council is inviting community response to its new draft Gambling Harm Prevention Policy that it has endorsed for community consultation at its February meeting.

The draft Gambling Harm Prevention Policy has been developed to replace the Electronic Gaming Machine (Pokies) Community Policy, endorsed in 2009.

The updated policy confirms the council’s commitment to work with stakeholders to address the
harmful impacts of gambling in the community and supports the council’s municipal public health and
wellbeing plan 2021-2025.

The plan has identified preventing harm from gambling as a priority for the Macedon Ranges Shire Council.

The policy was developed using local demographics, including financial losses through electronic
gaming machines in the Macedon Ranges, as well as contemporary research into gambling harms
resulting in a public health approach being adopted.

The public consultation inviting feedback responding to the new draft Gambling Harm Prevention Policy will run until until March 31 with those keen to respond able to do so by visiting the Macedon Ranges Shire Council’s website.

As fires moved through the Grampians last month, crews were called from across Victoria to assist communities and defend property in the line of fire.

In the early afternoon of 13 February, Ballarat Fire Brigade 2nd Lieutenant Georgia Cook was with her crew at Wendouree Fire Station when the strike team leader got the call to head to Pomonal.  

While they were on their way, Georgia heard from her mum Tanya Nargorka that she was also on a strike team heading to Pomonal. Tanya is the 4th lieutenant at Wannon-Bochara brigade.  

Coincidentally, Georgia and Tanya weren’t the only members of the family heading to Pomonal that day. Georgia’s brother Josh Nagorka was also responding with Cavendish Forest Fire Management Victoria.

The trio knew they had a task ahead of them, but at that point they weren’t to know what challenges the day would bring.  

“We sort of lost service with the fires and messages were struggling to get through.” Georgia said 

Shortly after the Eureka strike team arrived Georgia and her crew were sent to defend a property, but while they were on site the winds changed and the team ended up in a burnover.  

Mum Tanya first learned something was wrong when a mayday call came through over the radio.  

“We heard the Ballarat tanker calling out in trouble and I knew that Georgia was on that tanker. That was a bit of an anxious time particularly when I heard that they were running low on water and they had several mayday calls coming out over the airwaves,” Tanya said.  

“Most of our family are actually involved in the fire services. I’ve got four children, three of them are active fire brigade members. The kids have grown up. They stay fairly calm. They know emergencies happen. They know what to do. They know their training.

“But from a mother’s point of view when you start hearing ‘we’re running low on water can somebody please come and help us?’ you start thinking is this another Linton situation? Please somebody head up there.” 

The Eureka strike team did remain calm in the face of danger and thankfully their training kicked in when they most needed it. All five members of the crew walked away from the burnover with only minor injuries.  

“I didn’t actually realise that somebody had gone to assist until right near the end when they radioed back and said ‘we’re OK, the fire’s gone over now. We’re all OK.’ That was so good to hear.”  

After the burnover all crews returned to the oval where they waited for the fire front to move through the town. That’s when Georgia and Tanya were reunited

“Mum found me and I ran into Josh going into the centre as well. It was really cool to see them both,” Georgia said. 

Tanya was very relieved to see both her kids safe and in one piece after a big afternoon.  

“I saw Georgia and I went over and gave her a big hug. It was lovely to see the kids,” Tanya said.  

The trio didn’t have long together before firefighting efforts resumed and crews headed back to the fireground.  

Georgia was determined not to let the stress of the burnover get in the way of the task at hand and jumped back on the truck.  

“When all the other crews said they wanted to go back out, we decided that we were OK. We didn’t need to be stepped down or go home. We said we’re OK, we’ll go back out.” 

A huge effort was made that day by all crews that fought to save lives and property in the Grampians region.  

In a rare moment of peace District Mechanical Officer Garry Drabsch was snapped between jobs as the haze from the recent Beaufort fire loomed nearby.

“The photo was a sheer fluke, ” said DMO Garry Drabsch.

“The reason we were in Beaufort is there was a truck that allegedly had some engine problems which we’d just checked and we were looking for a bit of a drink and a breather.”

“We were trying to find out where some other trucks were, organise diesel fuel and all sorts of things. That’s why I was sitting on that bench with my phone in my ear.”

The photo was taken on the first night of the Beaufort fire and while it was still early days the work for Garry and the DMO section was constant.

The mechanical team worked to turnaround a number of overheated trucks and get them back on the fireground as soon as possible.

“Normally it will just be ash and dust in the cooling system and the radiator and we just need to get in there and blow it all out.”

The DMOs also started to see some minor damage like broken mirrors needing to be fixed.

When the trucks are on the fireground at major fires Garry said it can be pandemonium for the mechanics and they often find themselves chasing the trucks all over the fireground.

“The whole section does a wonderful job but tends to do it on the quiet.”

The City of Greater Bendigo has closed the Rosalind Park Poppet Head tower to the general public following an engineering inspection of the structure which discovered significant rust issues on its upper levels.

The Rosalind Park Poppet Head was the original poppet head from the Garden Gully United Mine which operated from 1857 to 1921 so the structure is well over a hundred years old.  

In 1931 the Bendigo Amalgamated Goldfields Company gifted the mine’s steel poppet legs to the former City of Bendigo and the poppet legs were erected in Rosalind Park to serve as the lookout tower that exists to this day.

City of Greater Bendigo Property Manager Daniella McClure said in the interests of public safety the City has closed access to the tower while further investigations are undertaken.

“In late 2022 the City commissioned a condition assessment of the existing structure to inform the need for works to protect the tower. However, a more recent inspection has identified some corroded sections of the upper floor landings which is impacting the safety of the stairwell structure,” Ms McClure said.

“To keep everyone safe we need to fix or replace these sections of steel. 

“We are currently working on a plan to rectify the issues that have been identified. Once this is completed we can appoint a contractor to replace or repair the steel work and floor plates on each of the affected landings.
  
“We also need to clean and paint the structure to ensure its condition is maintained for generations to come. 

“We are currently working through the best way to undertake this work both to reduce the impact to the public and to ensure value for money for the ratepayer. 

“We cannot provide a confirmed timeframe for the works at this stage, but we anticipate that the tower could be closed for some time.

“The City understands how much residents and visitors enjoy climbing the Rosalind Park Poppet Head tower and we do apologise for any inconvenience the closure may cause.”

A month-long celebration of Greater Bendigo’s cultural diversity has kicked off earlier this week in the city’s library gardens with the launch of Harmony Month.

Each year in March, Australia marks National Harmony Day (March 21) which coincides with the United Nation’s International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. 

The City of Greater Bendigo Community Partnerships Manager Andie West said the City takes this opportunity to acknowledge and celebrate the vibrancy and diversity of Greater Bendigo’s multicultural communities and the significant contributions they make.

“During March many local cultural groups are hosting festivals, events and activities in Greater Bendigo and a program of events that details everything on offer is available to view on the City’s website.

“Some of the activities taking place during March include the Festival of Friendships at the Dahlia and Arts Festival on Saturday March 16, the Bendigo Latin Festival at Garden for the Future, the 2024 Holi Festival of Colours at Golden Square Pool on March 23 and the Intercultural Hub at Bendigo Easter Fair on March 29.  

“There is also multicultural storytime sessions, a local sacred sites tour, community lunch, stories, poetry and readings.

“Celebrations like this are an important part of the City’s commitment to cultural diversity and inclusion and to being a welcoming and inclusive City.

“Celebrating our differences, as well as our common interests, helps unite and educate us to understand other’s perspectives, to broaden our own, and to fully experience and educate ourselves.

“Local residents are encouraged to take advantage of all the culturally diverse activities taking place throughout March in Greater Bendigo.”

Hailing from Argentina, Guanaco Trio is headed to CresFest.

The trio is made up of Laura Urteaga (Argentina/Spain) on violin, Owen Salomé (Australia) on bandoneón, and Benjamín Aedo (Chile) on guitar.

They perform a compelling repertoire of original compositions and interpretations of traditional and contemporary Argentine folkloric music.

The players share a deep love and respect for the tradition of Argentine folk music and have all undertaken formal classical music training.

The Guanaco Trio creates new music that is both innovative and respectful of the tradition they are a part of and their music will be presented in concerts and workshops across the festival that takes place over April 5-7.

Acts include Gina Williams and Guy Ghouse (WA), The Cherry Pickers (SA), T-Bone (New Zealand), Melisande (Canada), Spooky Men’s Chorale (NSW), Linn Phipps (UK), Chutney (NSW) Michael Waugh, and Jen Hawley’s Gypsy Jazz Jam with tickets on sale online.

The diverse line-up of artists set to perform as part of the festival program complement a wide array of participatory workshops with a focus on the community not only watching, but also being part of the fun.

The event’s big emphasis on community involvement is a main reason why the annual festival took out the Best Community Project gong at last year’s Australian Folk Music Awards.

Local community groups who will be particpating, and inviting festival goers to join in as well, include Creswick Ukestra, Creswick Kids Choir, Creswick Chorus, Creswick Drum Circle ,Creswick ‘Street’ band, Creswick’s Friday night ‘jammers’.

The state government says it’s boosting ambulance services in the Hepburn Shire with construction now under way to deliver an upgraded ambulance facility in Trentham.

Minister for Ambulance Services Mary-Anne Thomas last Friday visited the current Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) on Station Street. Upon completion of works later this year, it will transition into an Ambulance Community Officers (ACOs) facility.

Since 2020, the Trentham community has been served by dedicated local volunteer members of the CERT, but with increased demand across the region, the upgrade to an ACO branch will employ paid ‘on call’ first responders – a move expected to make it easier to recruit more local members and expand the current team.

ACOs are locally based first responders trained to provide advanced first aid in small rural and remote communities where ambulance caseloads are generally lower.

These officers are dispatched at the same time as Ambulance Victoria’s Advanced Life Support (ALS) or MICA paramedics to a Triple Zero call – due to their location and proximity within the local community, they can generally always provide the fastest response.

Unlike CERT volunteers who use a four-wheel drive vehicle, the ACO branch will also be home to a new ambulance vehicle that can transport patients, in turn freeing up ambulance crews in the region.

Trentham CERT volunteers will all be offered positions within the new ACO team to continue to play an important role in supporting their community when the new branch becomes operation later this year.

To help with the transition, the refurbishment is poised to deliver a bigger and better facility, including a training room, rest and recline areas for crews to recuperate, space for a new ambulance vehicle, parking and security upgrades.

Minister for Ambulance Services and Member for Macedon Mary Anne Thomas: “The new Ambulance Community Officers will help meet the growing demand for emergency care across the region, reducing pressure on our paramedics who often need to travel longer distances to reach patients in region, reducing pressure on our paramedics who often need to travel longer distances to reach patients in regional areas.”

The City of Greater Bendigo Council last week adopted a planning scheme amendment introducing a buffer overlay around Eaglehawk Landfill to minimise future environmental impacts.

Eaglehawk Landfill is over 40 years old and remains one of the few landfills in Victoria located in an urban area with established residential, commercial, and industrial land uses within close proximity to the site.

The City commissioned an environmental audit in response to Environment Protection Authority (EPA) guidelines Best Practice Environmental Management – Siting, design, protection, operation, and rehabilitation of landfills 2015.  

The guidelines require local governments to carefully consider any potential offsite environmental impacts of a landfill before approving new uses or development within a landfill buffer area. 

The Amendment implements the findings and recommendations of the Buffer Risk Assessment for Eaglehawk Landfill, AECOM, 2019 (the Buffer Risk Assessment) and Section 53V Audit of Risk of Harm – Landfill Buffer Eaglehawk Landfill.

Mayor Cr Andrea Metcalf said the council recognised the importance of implementing a buffer overlay.

“The landfill is actively managed by the City of Greater Bendigo under strict licence conditions, including the management of waste to reduce odour, regular gas monitoring and extraction,” Cr Metcalf said.

“A buffer overlay plays a key role because decomposition can generate landfill gas for more than 30 years after a landfill stops accepting new waste.

“To minimise any potential impacts from the landfill, the audit recommended planning controls within 500 metres of the landfill site to manage any potential risk of landfill gas migration and to manage off-site odour impacts from the transfer station where activities are expected to continue as a waste and recovery hub.”

Following a six week public consultation, Amendment C242gben was referred to an independent planning panel.

It concluded the amendment was strategically sound and should be supported subject to minor changes to the schedules for the Buffer Area Overlay. These were intended to improve the clarity of the controls and make them easier to apply. 

The adopted amendment affects 276 properties that are in close proximity to the landfill and the transfer station on the site. 

Ballarat City Councillors have resolved to shift the city’s annual fireworks display to New Year’s Eve.

Since 2021, the annual fireworks have been aligned with the city’s Summer Sundays free music event and held in mid-January.

In an officer’s report tabled at last week’s February council meeting it was noted that alternative options, including a drone show or a sound and light show, have been explored.

A drone show was estimated to cost between $250,000-$290,000 and would still be subject to wind conditions. Analysis showed that wind conditions on three out of the last four fireworks events would have resulted in the cancellation of a drone show.

A sound and light show was also estimated to cost about $250,000 and would not be as widely accessible to the public as it would require spectators to sit closer to the show.

The fireworks display budget was $36,200 for the most recent event. City of Ballarat Mayor, Cr Des Hudson said recent feedback had suggested the alignment with Summer Sundays hadn’t resonated with the community.

“This free event for our community is about offering them the opportunity to come together in a family-friendly environment,” he said.

“There are a significant number of people that are in Ballarat during New Years Eve that would like an event to help celebrate, so we’re expecting that this change of date will be well supported.”

The report also considered factors including: wildlife impact, potential anti-social behaviour, tourism visitation and expenditure on various dates, and previous public engagement.

It also followed public engagement in 2021 that showed a clear majority of respondents were in favour of retaining the fireworks display in some form and that the summer period was the most popular option.

The exact timing of the fireworks display on New Years Eve has not yet been decided. 

With temperatures set to soar across the state this Labour Day long weekend, the CFA is urging Victorians to be prepared for persistent fire risk as they embark on their travels.

Recent fires in February across the Grampians, Beaufort and Dereel serve as a reminder the fire season is not over yet and communities need to be prepared. Although the fires are now under control, crews remain active on the fireground blacking out and working on hazardous trees.

CFA Chief Officer Jason Heffernan encouraged travellers to familiarise themselves this weekend with the fire district they are entering or basing themselves in.  

“While the recent bushfires have been contained by our incredible firefighters, fire risk will continue to linger over the coming months,” CO Hefferan said.

“With the lack of recent rain, fuel loads in our drier forested areas will increase, and our greener grasslands will continue to dry out.

“We know there is a slightly elevated chance of a drier than usual autumn, and we’re already seeing that this weekend with temperatures set to reach high 30s and low 40s. 

“Victorians simply need to be in tune to the fire and weather conditions around them.”

The Australasian Fire and Emergency Service Authorities Autumn Seasonal Bushfire Outlook released last week indicates Victoria had above average summer rainfall and less than average bushfire activity, little to no rainfall since mid-January shifted things significantly in the west of the state.

CO Heffernan expects grassfire risk will persist throughout March and reminds all Victorians to download the VicEmergency app to remain alert to the fires in their region.  

“Grassfires can move at speeds of up to 25km per hour and can jump highways, so you must be prepared to alter your route if required,” CO Heffernan said.

“Avoid driving through high-risk areas on hot, dry, windy days if you can, and monitor conditions through two or more sources of local information.

“We’re particularly asking those living in the western part of the state, or those who plan on travelling in that direction to regularly check the Fire Danger Ratings.”

As the Fire Danger Period is still in place across all municipalities across the state, community members are reminded to visit CFA’s ‘Can I or Can’t I?’ webpage to understand what activities they can undertake.

Anticipation is building at Her Majesty’s Theatre in Ballarat as the beloved venue edges closer towards a grand reopening.

With works now primarily focusing on installing the two lifts, upgrading fire protection in the auditorium and completion of the Unicorn Lane fire escape, the project remains on track for completion in mid-2024.

It is expected the doors to the iconic theatre will re-open to the public in the third quarter of 2024.

The Stage 3 works being undertaken will improve the capability, accessibility, and safety of the 149-year-old theatre.

In addition to the two new lifts which provide full accessibility to the theatre for patrons, staff and performers, the completion of the project will also see an improved front-of-house area, new toilet facilities, administration area, and associated compliance works.

Works are significantly advanced throughout the theatre with the major demolition and structural works now almost complete.  

This includes new southern escape stairs and reconfiguration of the back-of-house area. The back-of-house area is key to providing the accessible pathway from Lewis Street to Lydiard Street South.  

Works in the theatre are now moving towards final fit out and finish in many areas, with finished colour schemes evident through the new administration hub.  

Installation of joinery including the ticket box and bar is yet to commence, with most items now in production off-site.  

Works to upgrade the back-of-house amenities is underway and fire protection upgrades throughout the building are ongoing.

The Her Majesty’s Theatre Stage 3 Redevelopment was identified by the City of Ballarat as a priority project. Successful advocacy on behalf of the local community has seen funding secured from the State Government to deliver this project.  

The project is supported by $10,000,000 from the State Government’s Regional Jobs and Infrastructure Fund and $6.3 million from the City of Ballarat.

Member for Wendouree Juliana Addison joined City of Ballarat Mayor, Cr Des Hudson and construction contractors Nicholson Construction for a tour of the theatre last Wednesday.

Cr Hudson said the $16.3 million project would ensure the long-lasting legacy of Her Majesty’s Theatre as a significant and integral part of Ballarat’s creative and artistic life.

“I’ve been delighted to see these works progressing throughout and cannot wait until we can have the facility open again,” he said.  

“Restoring such a grand venue that dates back to the 1870s certainly comes with its challenges, but it is promising to see the project remain on track and edging nearer completion.”

Member for Wendouree Juliana Addison said the substantial government investment had helped secure the future of the theatre.  

“The Allan Labor Government’s $10 million investment into Her Majesty’s restoration and redevelopment guarantees the theatre’s future and makes it accessible to all,” she said.

“I am thrilled that many generations of patrons and performers to come, will enjoy this remarkable venue, particularly those who have not been able to previously.”

The City of Ballarat will soon be calling for Expressions of Interest for community and commercial hire of Her Majesty’s Theatre.

Police have been preparing a report for the Coroner following the death of a Lancefield man at Lake Eppalock in Kimbolton.

The man and a woman went swimming with their two dogs in the lake, just off Ryan’s Road, about 7.45pm last Wednesday (Feburary 28).

It’s understood the man got into difficulty and disappeared under water.

The woman and two dogs returned to shore and raised the alarm.

Police carried out an extensive search on Wednesday night before resuming the search early last Thursday morning.

Sadly the 25-year-old Lancefield man’s body was recovered this morning by Search and Rescue divers.

The death is not being treated as suspicious.

Detectives from the Missing Persons Squad have this afternoon charged a 22-year-old man with the murder of missing Ballarat East woman Samantha Murphy.

Victoria Police arrested the man shortly after 6am on Wednesday at his Scotsburn home south of Ballarat. He was questioned by police before being charged with one count of murder and was to face the Ballarat Magistrates’ Court this afternoon.

Ms Murphy, 51, went missing on February 4 after leaving her Eureka Street home for a morning run. Despite a significant investigation and extensive searches of the Canadian Forest area, no trace of the mother of three has been found.

“Police are yet to recover Samantha’s body and the investigation remains ongoing,” a Victoria Police spokesperson said.

The last sighting of Ms Murphy came from CCTV footage outside her own home. She was wearing a maroon running shirt, black leggings, and an Apple watch. Ms Murphy’s phone, watch, and headphones have still not been found.

Her home is close to the northern border of the Woowookarung Regional Park, or Canadian Forest, where she was known to run.

Detectives are continuing to appeal for anyone who has CCTV or dashcam footage to contact Crime Stoppers.

Detective Acting Superintendent Mark Hatt, Crime Command: “Our thoughts today are with Samantha’s family and friends.

“Since Samantha’s disappearance at the start of February, a significant search and investigation has been undertaken in an effort to find her.

“This has included a dedicated and committed investigative effort led by the Missing Persons squad and also involving detectives from right across Crime Command, Counter Terrorism Command and Western Region.

“This has been further supported by a range of specialist resources from across Victoria Police.

“To get to a position where we have been able to charge someone is testament to the commitment and dedication from all those areas.

“We have also had exceptional support from many people in the Ballarat community, particularly local search volunteers and members of the SES and CFA.

“I know that Samantha’s disappearance has had a profound impact on the Ballarat community and I want to thank all of those people who have assisted police in many different ways over the past month.”

Victoria Police are currently conducting a major road policing operation on the Hume Freeway in an effort to reduce road trauma.

Operation Hamilton will see Highway Patrol members highly visible and enforcing on the Hume Freeway between Glenrowan and Wodonga.

The operation will run in conjunction with Operation Furious, a New South Wales Police operation on the Hume Freeway over the border between Albury and Sydney.

The joint cross-border operations will see police focusing on behaviours that contribute to road trauma, including speed, distraction, seatbelt non-compliance, drink and drug driving.

It comes as the Wangaratta and Wodonga region experienced a significant increase in road trauma in 2023, with 25 fatal collisions, a 166.6% increase on the previous year, and 187 serious injury collisions, a 110% increase on the previous year.

In the last 12 months, there has been 27 injury collisions on the Hume Freeway between Glenrowan and Wodonga, and one fatal collision on the Hume Freeway at Chiltern where four people were killed after a truck and car collided on 31 August 2023.

Police are warning motorists to take extra care when travelling on the Hume Freeway, which is a major route in Victoria carrying high volumes of traffic.

The operation will see police enforcing speed limits and intercepting vehicles for random alcohol and drug testing.

There will also be a focus on heavy vehicles, with truck drivers to be subjected to compliance checks.

Operation Hamilton began 12:01am on Tuesday 5 March and will continue until 11:59pm tonight Thursday 7 March 2024.

Eastern Region Division 4 Superintendent, Joy Arbuthnot: “We’re teaming up with New South Wales police to conduct an extensive road policing operation that will cover over 600km/s of the Hume Freeway.

“Motorists travelling on this major route between Glenrowan and Sydney should expect to see police highly visible and enforcing on both sides of the border – we’ll be focusing on speed, distraction, seatbelt non-compliance, as well as testing motorists for alcohol and drugs.

“As one of the state’s major roads, the Hume Freeway experiences a significant amount of road trauma and we’re doing everything we can to prevent this from happening.

“We’re asking all motorists to take extra care when travelling on the Hume – stick to the speed limits, be mindful of sharing the road with other road users and manage fatigue by taking regular breaks on longer trips.

“We need to keep all road users accountable, so we won’t hesitate to penalise you if you’re caught breaking the road rules.”

Work on the Ballarat Airport Strategy and Master Plan is under way following the completion of phase one of the community consultation process in late 2023.  

In recent weeks it has been clear the vital role Ballarat Airport plays in the region’s emergency services network, with numerous aircraft using it as a base for aerial firefighting missions to protect life and property in neighbouring communities.  

The Master Plan will identify key development projects to ensure Ballarat Airport continues to serve the region as a key transport asset and reaches its full potential in providing a range of services, including supporting firefighting activity.  

Feedback from the community also highlighted broad support for the idea of Ballarat being connected to the other major population centres throughout Australia.  

The introduction of commercial airline flights into Ballarat Airport to achieve this, is also overwhelmingly supported by 80 per cent of the businesses surveyed, who indicated such capability would benefit their organisation.

The community survey cited reduced travel time as the main benefit offered by an enhanced Ballarat Airport along with the cost savings in accessing a local airport, rather than driving to Avalon or Tullamarine.  

Not only did the community’s feedback note how much easier that it would be to visit family and friends or head off on holidays, but they also noted that it would be a boost to Ballarat’s economy, with people easily able to access the city and the Western Victoria region from interstate.  

The strongest concern coming from some sections of the community is the effect of aircraft noise, followed by the potential for this noise to impact house valuations. Addressing these concerns is another important aspect of the Master Plan project.  

Alongside the community and business consultation, the City of Ballarat has commissioned a comprehensive passenger catchment study to measure how many of the 300,000 residents of Ballarat and Western Victoria travel by air and which airport they use.  

The results show current demand for air travel is strong, with an average 1,150 people travelling daily from the region to Melbourne Airport, peaking at almost 1,600 air travellers during school holidays.

Notably, this doesn’t account for any growth that would come from introducing the service – allowing residents and visitors to make trips not presently available.  

The catchment study acknowledged Ballarat’s role as the key service centre for Western Victoria and illustrated the air transport capability the Airport could provide to the whole of the region. 

The Ballarat Airport Strategy and Master Plan is due be completed in draft by mid-2024 and will be presented to the community to review, during a second phase of consultation.