Weekly update - Friday 11 April 2025

Published on 11 April 2025

CEO RECRUITMENT

The search for a new permanent CEO for Central Goldfields Shire is underway.

The recruitment process is being led by our CEO Employment Matters Committee with the support of independent and experienced local government recruiter Christine Mileham from Sal Corp as Chair.

Our Interim CEO Sally Jones will continue in the role until a new CEO is recruited.

To find out more visit: www.centralgoldfields.vic.gov.au/CEOrecruitment

EMERGENCY PREPARATION EXPO

To help support our community in times of natural disaster, we're partnering with local emergency services to host our first Emergency Preparation Expo.

Come along and meet your friendly local emergency services and learn how to prepare your family, property and pets in an emergency. The Expo will be held on the lawn area in front of Maryborough Railway Station on Sunday 4 May from 10am to 4pm.

There will be a free BBQ and activities for the kids - including seeing the emergency services vehicles up close.

If you represent a business or organisation and are interested in booking a free stall, visit:

www.centralgoldfields.vic.gov.au/emergencyexpo

BAT BASICS

Our Open Spaces team recently brought in an expert from the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA) after the numbers of flying foxes ‘hanging out’ in Phillips Gardens began to swell. Here are some important points about flying foxes:

They are protected wildlife and should not be interfered with – penalties apply
Their numbers have most likely increased due to an extended dry weather period, with our well-maintained gardens and parks providing an oasis
They eat nectar, pollen, blossom and fruit, and will tend to move on as supplies dwindle – their presence is seasonal
They host some diseases which can be transmitted to people by direct contact – never touch or handle flying foxes. Call a wildlife rescue service if you find an injured, trapped or entangled animal
If you are bitten or scratched by a flying fox, clean and disinfect wound immediately and seek medical advice

We’ll soon be installing information signs in Phillips Gardens to help inform the community about sharing our open spaces with this beautiful native species.

For further information, visit: www.wildlife.vic.gov.au/flying-foxes

SHARE WHAT MATTERS TO YOU

Join the Community Panel

Our Council Plan will inform all our work, decision making and strategic direction over the next four years.

We are inviting 20 community members, aged 18 years and over, to put their hand up to help shape our priorities in our Council Plan.

Expressions of interest are welcome from anyone who lives, works or owns a business in our Shire.

The panel will be an opportunity to learn about what Council does, contribute ideas and help develop draft recommendations. No special skills are required, just a willingness to

To consider others’ views and work collaboratively is enough.

We’ll also need you to be available to attend three, in-person workshops in Maryborough:

Tuesday 6 May: 5.30pm to 8.30pm
Wednesday 7 May: 5.30pm to 8.30pm
Thursday 8 May: 5.30pm to 8.30pm

Meals and refreshments will be provided, with childcare and travel arrangements available by request.

Panel members will be selected to make sure we have community representation from all walks of life - across age, gender, employment status, cultural background and townships.

Each panel member that attends all three evenings will receive $100 in recognition of their time and contribution.

Applications have been extended and will close today, Friday 11 April at 5pm.

Visit: www.engage.cgoldshire.vic.gov.au/whatmatters

Community Feedback

Thank you to everyone who met with councillors and staff and have contributed to our online survey.

A reminder you can still give feedback, by contacting your Ward Councillor via these contact details.

LOCAL ROADS

Our Roads and Works team has completed a total reconstruction of Frederick Street, Maryborough and it looks fantastic.

They also replaced gutters, drives and drains, then resurfaced Whittaker Street.

The project’s completion was delayed due to some unstable patches under the old road. Now replaced with suitable road construction material, the new road will remain durable for many years to come.

BUSINESS EXPO

The Village Business Expo is a must-attend event for businesses wanting to grow and learn, and for the services which support them. You can book as an exhibitor, support as a sponsor, or come along to find new opportunities.

Thanks to the Committee for Maryborough and Village Business, over 200 business people from across Central Goldfields and adjoining shires will come together at Maryborough Harness Racing Club on May 9 to connect and network, seek new business and commercial opportunities, and meet with government leaders from local, state and federal levels.

To book an exhibition space, become a sponsor or register to attend, visit:

www.committeemb.com.au/business-expo

ANIMAL REGISTRATIONS

Animal registration renewals were due yesterday, 10 April.

You can pay your renewal online using BPAY, by phone on 5461 0610 or visit our Customer Service Centre, 22 Nolan Street, Maryborough.

There are substantial discounts for desexed cats and dogs, with further discounts for pensioners. For new registrations, visit us in person with proof of pet desexing and pension concession.

There are fines of up to $400 for unregistered pets.

If you have a cat that needs desexing and registration, we have a special offer that can help for one low fee, thanks to the Victorian Government’s Targeted Cat Desexing Program.

For more information:

www.centralgoldfields.vic.gov.au/RegisterYourPet

WASTE SERVICES

Bin changes

The Victorian Government is standardising household waste and recycling services across the state.

This means that all Victorian council waste services will move to a four-stream system.

To help us prepare for the transition, we’re inviting residents to share their feedback on waste. Those who complete the survey enter the draw to win 1 of 125 Transfer Station Golden Vouchers.

This will help us roll out the service that best meets the needs of our community.

Meet with us at Talbot Farmers Market (Sundays: 18 May and 15 June) and Dunolly Country Market (Sundays: 27 April and 22 June) to discuss what you think is the best waste system for our Shire, or complete our online survey at:

www.engage.cgoldshire.vic.gov.au/waste

Public holiday closures

A reminder that Carisbrook Transfer Station will be closed on Good Friday, 18 April and ANZAC Day, Friday 25 April.

Also, there will be no green waste collection on Good Friday. An additional green waste collection has been added to our calendar on Friday, 31 October, as there are five Fridays in October this year.

The next green waste collection date is Friday, 2 May.

POSITIONS VACANT

For career opportunities, please visit:

www.centralgoldfields.vic.gov.au/currentvacancies

TENDERS

Tender documents can be downloaded from e-Procure, accessible via Council's website www.centralgoldfields.vic.gov.au/tenders

G1980-2025 RFT- Essential Safety Measures ESMs Audit Reporting and Passive Fire Inspections

Closing Date:12.00 noon, 28/4/2025