Community Newsletter Winter 2020

“It was manic for three weeks, “It’s honestly what kept me going a lot of Challenging times manufacturing, bottling up and selling,” the time. Seeing the same regular faces she said. day in, day out. They were great and I’ll Coronavirus has challenged the way we forever be grateful to them for supporting move about in our world, and has perhaps The distillery has returned to making its me through this time.” had the greatest impact on our business usual gin, including a new variety, which community. Mrs Baker said was easier to get done Council CEO Jim Nolan said the pandemic while isolated at the Glenpatrick property. had changed the way the organisation Luckily the has remained delivered some services. COVID-19 free, and our good hygiene Hospitality was hit hard by coronavirus practices and vigilance has probably restrictions but one business decided “We reduced our face-to-face interactions contributed to that. closing wasn’t an option. but we endeavoured to continue services in new ways where possible,” Mr Nolan Council has modified services, change Skinny Sisters Café in Beaufort stayed said. the way we do business and most of our open through the restrictions, owner office-based staff have been working from Sammi Beaton said she wasn’t prepared to “We started live-streaming Council home for the past three months. sit at home knowing that she could trade. meetings, offered video consultations for planning and offered contactless library But small business has perhaps been the “I thought about closing, but the thought loans, among other measures” he said. most diverse of the sectors, with many of “what am I missing if I close? Or that turning their hands to new ideas, adapting my regulars will find somewhere else to Council has establised an Economic Task their business models and keeping smiles go whilst I’m closed and I might lose them Force with local business representation on the faces of their customers. forever,” Mrs Beaton said to help in economic recovery.

Wimmera Hills Winery decided to use “I wasn’t willing to risk that. I wasn’t willing their distillery equipment and expertise to to risk losing everything, when I was able make hand sanitizer in the early days of to still be open,” she said. the pandemic. Operations Manager Jane Baker said community members had come Skinny Sisters produced make-at-home to them asking if they could manufacture pizza kits, cupcake decorating kits as well sanitizer. as a bit of renovation among their regular meals and coffees. “People wanted it, people wanted to be safe, there was that real urgency,” Mrs Mrs Beaton said adapting to customers’ Baker said. “We had the skills to be able to needs and being versatile were crucial manufacture what they wanted, also our during lockdown. goal was that our local community was safe,” she said. “I had many compliments about staying open through it all; heaps of words of wisdom,” she said. Jane Baker, Wimmera Hills Winery Operations Manager.

Contact Your Councillor

Avoca Ward – Cr Ron Eason Mount Emu Ward – Cr Tanya Kehoe (Mayor) De Cameron Ward – Cr Robert Vance P 0417 508 471 P 0439 571 480 P 0447 384 500 E [email protected] E [email protected] E [email protected]

Beaufort Ward – Cr Damian Ferrari Ercildoune Ward – Cr David Clark P 0437 662 295 P 0417 374 704 E [email protected] E [email protected] Bridge 59 was built using an InQuik bridge budget includes an allocation to finish Important road system, the first one to be built in . the remainder of the road in the 2020-21 upgrades Pre-fabricated components of the bridge Financial Year. are delivered to the site and then they are Increasing load carrying capacity on key concreted in place. Council has completed the widening and link roads is a high priority for Pyrenees strengthening of the Raglan-Elmhurst Shire Council. The important part of This type of construction has been used in Road, which has also included the achieving this goal is updating bridge Queensland and New South Wales, where installation of safety measures such as infrastructure to cope with modern significant savings in construction time guard rails. The completion of the final vehicles and increased tonnage. and costs have been realised. Council will section is the culmination of ten years’ look to continue the use of this system work on the road. The latest route to have undergone an for other bridge replacements. upgrade is the Eurambeen-Streatham Road, an important north-south link road Also on the cards for work this year was across the municipality. Council’s Works a section of Langi Kal Kal Road, which Team strengthened and widened a section was rebuilt and strengthened by the of it earlier this year, and contractors Council Works Team. Langi Kal Kal Road have just completed the replacement has one of the highest traffic counts of of Bridge 59. all the Shire’s roads. The proposed draft

Community connections Helping emergency services

Pyrenees Community Care’s Maria Kennedy was assigned to Emergency services rely on up to date addressing to find provide respite with Jano and Slavica Mernik of Avoca and soon you when you are in need of their help. Many people have discovered an amazing connection. Maria and Slavica begun to been involved in the construction of wind turbines across share their family and social history, and their shared language, the Pyrenees, which presents a challenge on how emergency Slovak. Maria was surprised and emotional to discover a photo services might find them while working if they get hurt. of her father with Jano and Slavica. The Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning “It brought a tear to my eye and a smile to my face,” Mrs Kennedy approached Council about how we might help. Council set about said. “I told her my maiden name was Andrasik and she told assigning a rural address for turbine entrance points, and put me that she knew my parents well and how they loved to dance this information in a mapping system. in their Slovak Social Club that they all attended in Laverton, ,” she said. There are now 22 turbine entrance points with numbers for the wind farms. The information is in VicMaps, which is accessible Mrs Kennedy’s parents have passed away, leaving her without by emergency services and members of the public. the Slovak language in her life. Maria is now able to speak with Jano and Slavica while providing respite in their home. This is just one small way to make the community safer.

“It has enriched my life knowing that Slavica is happy and cannot believe a Slovak girl is living in Avoca and going to visit her,” she said.

Maria is one of many Pyrenees Community Care staff members who are continuing to work and provide services to our elderly and vulnerable community members.

Maria Kennedy, Pyrenees Community Care Support Staff with Slavica and Jano Mernik. New mobile library van Koori Art Trail video

Council is excited about the next stage in the development Council has been working on the implementation of its of a new mobile library bus! Pyrenees Shire Council received first Reconciliation Action Plan. Participating in National funding from the Living Libraries program from the Department Reconciliation Week was one of the planned activities, but of Environment, Land, Water and Planning to buy and fit out a due to COVID-19, initial plans were put on hold for a later time. dedicated vehicle. The fit-for-purpose vehicle will have benefits for the community as well as saving time and physical labour One of Council’s Reconciliation Action Plan committee members for staff. had a great idea on how to encourage reconciliation. This is where the idea of taking a virtual walk around the Koori Art “We’ll be able to take the bus to more communities, and users Trail was born. will be able to access a greater amount of materials,” CEO Jim Nolan said. Our staff member April Ure, walked around Beaufort Lake with a time-lapse camera. The video produced showcases each artwork “The bus will be an extension of our libraries in Beaufort and on the trail, and offers those not able to get out and about a Avoca, and our staff will be able to pick up the keys and head chance to experience the walk. out the door, saving so much time in packing and unpacking a normal car,” Mr Nolan said. Council shared the video via our website, YouTube and Facebook, you can access it via https://www.pyrenees.vic.gov.au/ The Renault Master Bus, pictured, is being fitted out in Community/Reconciliation Melbourne and country Victoria.

Admiring the new Pyrenees Libraries mobile outreach bus is Peter O’Rourke, Pyrenees Shire Library Services Co-ordinator, Tammy Nugent Smith and Camille Broadbent, from Beaufort Library and Resource Centre.

Key components of the sessions are: If prospective candidates cannot make October Council this session, they could attend sessions • Module One – Basics of Local at other councils, a list of which is Election in Pyrenees Government available - https://www.vlga.org.au/events- • Module Two – Election Candidacy Council will go to the polls in October, and training/2020-candidate-training-dates you will be provided with a postal ballot The VLGA also offer a Pre-Candidate pack to cast your vote. There are some important dates to take Training Prospectus which is available note of in the lead up to the election: at their website - https://www.vlga. The Victorian Electoral Commission will org.au/sites/default/files/Training%20 • Election offices open to the public on carry out the 2020 elections for all of the prospectus171219.pdf Wednesday 16 September. Councils which are having elections. • Nomination period opens on Thursday Council has also organised a similar 17 September and closes at 12 noon Pyrenees has five elected Councillors session with the MAV for potential on Tuesday 22 September 2020. across five wards; one member in each. candidates, this is proposed for August. • The election will all be via postal vote Please keep an eye out on our website for Potential Councillors will need to and the election date itself is Saturday confirmed details. undertake an election candidate training 24 October. • Close of voting for postal elections is session, one of which is coming up on The VLGA advise that candidates 6 pm on Friday 23 October. Wednesday, July 22 at the Beeripmo should start early in their preparation Centre. This face to face candidate for local government elections. The new • Postal vote receipt period closes at information workshop will be put on Local Government Act 2020 requires 12 noon Friday 30 October. by the Victorian Local Government all candidates to have completed the • Counting and declarations will take Association. Register via their website: mandatory training session which we place between Sunday 26 October https://www.vlga.org.au/civicrm/event/ are facilitating as detailed above. to Friday 13 November. info?reset=1&id=154 Avoca BBQ Shelter: this project has Avoca Country Golf Bowling Club: A new Project updates just had an engineering overview for the synthetic green will be installed, with work building permits, expect construction to underway. New shade shelters at the north Small and large projects are happening start on this soon. and south ends will also be installed ahead across Pyrenees Shire; from building the of the bowls season opening in October. Lexton Hub to small renovations at local Avoca footpaths: construction on halls. footpaths from North Street to Rutherford Avoca Lions Park: The parking area at the Street and ending at Burnett Street is Avoca Lions Park has been sealed. Council is working with communities expected to start July/August (weather and funding partners including State and permitting). Carpark: This project Federal governments, to deliver these involves the sealing of the carpark surface important projects. Avoca safe crossing points: detailed to improve accessibility, especially during design work for the four crossing points is winter months. Council is seeking quotes Here’s a snapshot of the projects, some of underway, once completed the design will on the work. which are underway and some will start be shared with the community. once the weather improves: Pyrenees Futures Plans at Lexton, Snake Avoca Shire Hall: upgrade work is Valley and : Design elements Female Friendly continuing, with fire safety the focus are near completion with a range of Changerooms: this is a new building next for the entire building. new features and upgrades within the to the netball court which incorporates townships of Lexton, Snake Valley and changerooms for players and umpires, Drought projects; Waubra. This includes greater public storage facilities and a viewing platform seating, signage upgrades, tree planting, - Tenders have closed for this project and Minor renovation works at Trawalla, road safety measures and path/lighting Council is working on appointing a builder Brewster, Snake Valley, Landsborough, improvements. These ideas came through to complete these works. Barkly, and Carranballac: the Pyrenees Futures consultation process Council is working with the hall with the respective town residents. Snake Valley Linear Park: the first stage committees at these locations on of this project is to build the skatepark. minor works. The plans including a new Bore upgrades: a new bore has been Council has assessed the tenders and is barbecue shelter at Snake Valley, kitchen drilled at Moonambel at Wright Street, expecting to award the project shortly. amendments at Carranballac, a portico and others have been drilled and cased at for Brewster, flooring maintenance at Crossroads and Waterloo. Tank pads have Lexton Hub: this is a brand new Landsborough, access improvements been completed at Homebush, Avoca, community multi-purpose building that at Barkly and Moonambel and window Homebush Pump Lane and Waterloo and will house sporting and social activities. replacements at Trawalla. Council is awaiting the delivery of tanks. Council is working on the practical elements of this project, such as ensuring Beaufort Lake Foreshore revamp: Council has developed a page on the septic and wastewater requirements will work is underway on designs for the website for up to date news on these be catered for. foreshore area, and Council has met projects; www.pyrenees.vic.gov.au/ with a landscape architect. projects2020 You can also call us on Avoca Playground: the design has been 1300 797 363. put into a tender process, the next step is New cabin at Beaufort Lake Caravan for Council to evaluate the documentation Park: a new cabin which will meet DDA and then send it out to the market for Compliance is to be installed at the park. tenders. Plans are to be drawn up for the project.

Pyrenees Shire Council acknowledge the people past and present of the Wadawurrung, Dja Dja Wurrung, Djab Wurrung and Wotjobaluk tribes, whose land forms the Pyrenees Shire. We pay our respects to the customs, traditions and stewardship of the land by the Elders and people of these tribes.

Beaufort Office 5 Lawrence Street, Beaufort VIC 3373 T 1300 797 363 Avoca Office 122 High Street, Avoca VIC 3467 T 03 5465 1000 E [email protected] pyrenees.vic.gov.au