Weekly update - Friday 14 February 2025

Published on 14 February 2025

RATES REMINDER

Ratepayers who pay their rates in full each year are reminded that annual rates are payable by Saturday 15 February. 

Ratepayers who pay their rates by quarterly instalments are reminded that the third instalment is payable by Friday 28 February.

If you are experiencing difficulty with the payment of rates, please contact us at the earliest opportunity.

For more information, online payments and other rate payment options, visit: www.centralgoldfields.vic.gov.au/PayingYourRates

ART AWARD

The People's Choice Award winner for our recent Community Art exhibition is Robert Liston with his piece ‘Flying Toaster’, made from upcycled items including an old toaster, coffee grinder, scooter and other bits and bobs.

The popular Community Art and 9X5 exhibition is held each year, with 118 entries in 2024, including artists from Asteria Services and Ability For All (Avoca). There was also a large entry of 76 ‘9X5’ paintings of ‘minibeasts’ from year 3 and 4 students at Maryborough Education Centre.

Works went on display in November and the exhibition closed on February 9. We’ll advise when to get started on your entry this year!

OPERATIONS REPORT

Road works

The upgrade along Frederick Street, Maryborough is on schedule with all broken gutters removed.

The channels are being backfilled in preparation for new guttering construction next week. The street will be closed at times for community safety.

We ask for patience as our Roads and Works team progresses this major upgrade.

Unsealed roads

Maintenance grading was completed at Bald Hill and Donovans roads, and Black Lane near Carisbrook this week, with Plumpton Lane scheduled for next week. Re-sheeting was completed on Mount Hooghly-Timor Road in the north.

Roaring ahead

• The hard work continues at the Carisbrook Lions Club building, with our Facilities and Maintenance crew now concentrating on the rear of the building. The renovations are expected to continue over coming months.
• The toilet block next to the Maryborough Community Hub has suffered a further vandal attack, just before completely re-opening after extensive refurbishment. The trial of a new security system at the block has been brought forward as part of the current repairs. We’ll advise when the facility is reopened.
• A new monitoring system has been rolled out across all toilet facilities in our Shire. By detecting usage, cleaning crews can prioritise those facilities most used, while saving time on those less used.

FLOOD PLAN: NEXT STEPS

As per State Government recommendations, flood plans need to:

• Review flood modelling every five years
• Update flood modelling at least every ten years
• Review modelling after a major flood

We are moving forward swiftly to comply with State guidelines and deliver an effective management plan for Carisbrook.

Expressions of Interest to join the Carisbrook Flood Management Advisory Reference Group closed Friday 14 February. All applications will be assessed to appoint three community places in the group, to represent the residents of Carisbrook in partnership with our relevant staff, external agencies and emergency services. One of the three community advisors will also sit on the Tender Panel.

Expressions of Interest for suitably qualified consultants to provide the required modelling and analysis for the new flood plan closed on Thursday 13 February. Those applicants will be shortlisted, then invited to tender for the work.  The Tender Panel will assess and select the most suitable candidate, with community representation.

We’ll keep everyone posted as we progress. For the latest information visit:

www.engage.cgoldshire.vic.gov.au

BE A CHANGEMAKER

Are you ready to embrace the courage, collective spirit, and hope of changemaking?

Join us for a two-day Changemaker Workshop to create a positive, lasting impact on your community.

This is a face-to-face workshop over two days from 20 to 21 February at the Maryborough Community Hub, 53 Burns Street. All catering and stationery will be provided. Registrations close when fully booked or 7 days before the workshop.

The workshop is delivered by Australian Rural Leadership Foundation and the Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal and fully funded by the Australian Government's Future Drought Fund.

For more information visit: www.rural-leaders.org.au or contact Gemma Rostron on 0421 031 418, email: support@rural-leaders.org.au

SATISFACTION SURVEY

Every year a phone survey is coordinated by Local Government Victoria to monitor customer satisfaction within each Victorian council area.

Up until mid-March you may receive a call from "National Field Services".

400 surveys per year are conducted to represent our population, which at the 2021 Census was 13,483, of which 10,832 were over 19 years old.

Your details and individual responses are confidential, and we appreciate your valuable feedback to improve our performance.

To review the results of last year's survey, which we published on 21 June 2024, visit:

www.centralgoldfields.vic.gov.au/communitysatisfactionsurvey

CREATIVE ARTS SPACE 

Council is calling for artists, performers, writers and other creatives interested in our new space to join the Creative Station Co-Design Group. 

This group will ensure the voices of local creatives are reflected in an actionable six-month pilot program of activities for the newly rejuvenated Creative Space at the Maryborough Railway Station.

The facility has a large, open indoor studio space and substantial, secure courtyard, with plans to extend some activities to a shared work area next door.

If you are a creative in any genre and live locally, or provide creative services within our Shire, please contact the Coordinator, Creative Station Project Amanda Western to request an Expression of Interest pack. EOI closes Friday 21 February. 

Email: mail@cgoldshire.vic.gov.au or phone 5461 0610.

POSITIONS VACANT 

For career opportunities, please visit: 

www.centralgoldfields.vic.gov.au/currentvacancies

TENDERS

Tenders currently available through Central Goldfields Shire Council are listed below.

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

Open Tenders:

G1965-2025 Provision of Consultancy Services, Castlemaine – Maryborough Rail Trail Pre-Construction Project. CLOSING:12pm, 11 March 2025

G1967-2025 Stabilisation Works – Dunolly - Avoca Road, Mt Hooghly. CLOSING:12pm, 13 March 2025