Weekly update - Friday 28 March 2025

Published on 28 March 2025

COUNCIL MEETING

The March Council Meeting was held earlier this week (26/03).

The video recording of the meeting can be viewed online at:

www.centralgoldfields.vic.gov.au/councilmeetings

HOLIDAY CALENDAR

The Easter holidays are almost here! We’ve put together a big program of events and activities for kids over the break from Maryborough Library, Central Goldfields Art Gallery and our Visitor Centre.

There’s also a new Sports Equipment Library for skateboards, scooters and safety gear, and the new StoryWalk in Phillips Gardens to explore.

View the calendar at:

www.centralgoldfields.vic.gov.au/AutumnFun2025

RATES HELP

Our Finance team requests that if you are having trouble with rates payments, to please contact them as soon as possible.

We understand that some individuals and businesses may experience financial hardship on a short or long-term basis and we are committed to supporting our community through these times.

There are a range of supports available - to find out more contact our Finance team on 5461 0681 or visit:

www.centralgoldfields.vic.gov.au/RatesHelp

CARISBROOK REFERENCE GROUP

Council is developing an updated Flood and Drainage Management Plan for Carisbrook. This process will be supported by the Draft Study Advisory Reference Group who will provide guidance, expertise and stakeholder perspective.

At the March Council Meeting this week, Council endorsed the Terms of Reference and appointed Tullaroop Ward Councillor Anna de Villiers to the group.

Three community members - Martin Mackay, Aaron Beaton and Giuliano Marcon - were also appointed following a public expression of interest process. For more information visit:

www.centralgoldfields.vic.gov.au/floodstudy

ANIMAL REGISTRATIONS

Animal registrations are due by 10 April and renewal notices have been issued.

To register a new pet, phone 5461 0610 or visit our Customer Service Centre, 22 Nolan Street, Maryborough.

Registering a dog or cat greatly improves the chances of it being returned if it becomes lost. There are substantial discounts for desexed cats and dogs, with further discounts for pensioners.

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, including the form for a new registration, visit: www.centralgoldfields.vic.gov.au/PurryDeal

ROADS AND WORKS

Heavy vehicle bypass

(PNG, 6MB)(PDF, 727KB)

(click to enlarge)

Transport Victoria will start work along a 1.2 kilometre section of Gladstone Street, Maryborough next week, weather permitting.

Between Balaclava Road and Holyrood Street, traffic may be reduced to a single lane and managed by traffic controllers between 7am and 6pm weekdays. Some weekend work may be required.

The work will progress in sections and is expected to take twelve weeks. Heavy vehicles will be detoured along Ballarat-Maryborough (Derby) Road for bypass to the north (as shown on graphic) from April 7.

For further information, email: HumeRegionalPartners@transport.vic.gov.au

Dunolly-Avoca Road

Work has commenced on Dunolly-Avoca Road and is expected to continue for three more weeks.

As our Roads and Works crew reconstruct a section of road almost one kilometre long, speed limits and traffic lights will be in place. Reduced speed limits remain in place out-of-hours, due to areas of unsealed road.

The section is between Stevens Lane and Woodward Road, Mt Hooghly. Please be patient and courteous as our crew manages traffic. During work times, there may be short delays and the limit is 40km/h. Dusty conditions make the work difficult when drivers exceed this speed.

The reconstruction is supported by the Federal Government’s National Disaster Financial Assistance program.

Talbot Oval

Our team has cleaned out long sections of drainage around the Talbot Recreation Reserve and levelled the overflow carpark next door. 

The improved flow into Back Creek will reduce flooding of the oval during periods of high rainfall.

SHARE WHAT MATTERS TO YOU

Community Panel

We are currently developing our Council Plan - which 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 over the next four years. 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 having the willingness 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 close 4 April.

Community Feedback

Thank you to everyone who attended our community drop-in sesssions at Maryborough, Dunolly and Carisbrook this week.

Everyone is welcome to our session at the Talbot Post Office today, Friday 28 March between 3.30 and 5.30pm.

Feedback is also invited via our online survey until 6pm today.

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

Alternatively you can chat to your Ward Councillor via the contact details on this website.

POSITIONS VACANT

For career opportunities, please visit:

www.centralgoldfields.vic.gov.au/currentvacancies