Tuesday, April 2
China ended the punitive 200 per cent tariff on Australian wines which had crippled the region’s grape growing and winemaking industry for the past three years.
The industry lost more than $1 billion in revenue, and while growers welcomed the move, they said they would now have to work hard to “regain shelf space” at a time when China’s wine consumption had declined, due to economic issues.
Questions over ongoing leadership at Robinvale College were questioned, as staff, parents and members of the wider community expressed anger over the decision not to appoint acting principal Natalie Mouvet as principal of the school, despite her applying for the role on two separate occasions.
The school learnt that Ms Mouvet would finish her 18-month stint, leaving the students without a principal for the start of Term 2.
A petition was circulated around Robinvale, requesting that the decision be overturned, with Ms Mouvet making a considerable difference to the school environment under her leadership.
Friday, April 5
The Berriwillock community proved it’s a small town with a big heart, following another Good Friday Appeal record-breaking success.
The town, with a population of 180, dug deep into its pockets during its annual auction, raising more than $50,000 for the Royal Children’s Hospital.
Nyah residents voiced concerns over a proposed engineered solution to artificially introduce environmental water to the Nyah and Vinifera floodplains.
Department of Planning papers said the aim was to return a more natural flooding regime to the 475 hectares of what it deemed high-ecological value floodplain in Nyah, and 355 hectares in Vinifera.
Residents said the local ecosystem was very complex and “just pumping water in, was not going to make it normal.”
Residents said proposed levee banks, pump stands and regulators would change the very nature and feel of the area.
They also noted grave concerns about mosquito borne diseases, as the proposed plan would result in water sitting stagnant.
Swan Hill Primary School music teacher Andrew Kelly prepared to launch his first children’s book, entitled Cry Hard Chucky, inspired by his life, growing up in the Southern Mallee.
Landholders expressed anger over the VNI West transmission-line project, with community meetings well attended at Boort and Moulamein.
The meetings came as Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan announced a policy to speed up planning approvals for renewable energy projects.
She said the current system tied important projects up for years and the move would “cut the red tape holding back projects that provide stronger, cheaper power for Victorians.” Landholders said it was imperative that they held a united front, with widespread mistrust of the project and process.
Tuesday, April 9
Police investigated the death of a 74-year-old man at a farm in Woorinen South, following a tractor accident.
The Buloke Shire Council expressed “extreme” disappointment at the outcome of the recent electoral structure review.
The council moved to write to Local Government Minister Melissa Horne, outlining frustrations with the final adoption of a multi-councillor ward structure, with a total of six councillors, comprising three wards and two councillors per ward – a reduction of one councillor.
The council had advocated for an un-subdivided electoral structure with seven councillors.
Friday, April 12
Swan Hill’s Community University Centre was officially opened, providing students with the option to study at major universities, without having to relocate or leave the region.
One of 31 centres across Australia, the CUC features high-quality equipment, conference facilities, study rooms and student lounge.
Tuesday, April 16
Swan Hill paramedics took a stand against working conditions, which they claimed were causing “significant burnout” and forcing colleagues to choose between their job and home life.
Ultima celebrated the long-awaited supply of town drinking water.
After more than 16 years of lobbying, town meetings, information sessions and stakeholder discussions, GWMWater installed 29km of pipeline, two new pump stations and a new chlorination system, providing the town with drinking water for the first time.
Friday, April 19
It was announced rates would rise by 2.75 per cent following the release of Swan Hill Rural City Council’s draft budget.
More than $35 million was allocated to infrastructure projects across the municipality, which included road renewal works and the Swan Hill Art Gallery redevelopment.
Advance Sea Lake Inc underwent a testing phase of the Sea Lake Night Activation Project.
The project will see the Sea Lake silos illuminated at night, with a unique storytelling component, laser lights and sound show.
Once completed, the tourism attraction will be the first of its kind for rural Victoria.
Swan Hill College was hit by a cyber attack, resulting in disruption to the start of Term 2.
Students and staff were without digital services, with the Department of Education confirming cybersecurity experts were working to reinstate the services.
Lalbert farmers have attended a hearing for VHM’s proposed Goschen rare earth and mineral sands project.
While local farmers had the opportunity to hear evidence from both sides, they said the hearing process had been unfair and rushed.
Tuesday, April 23
Tourism, Sport and Major Events Minister Steve Dimopoulos announced River Lights would once again return to Swan Hill, in a bid to boost tourism.
The program was set to feature light sculptures, laser effects, interactive projections and holograms in a showcase of history, art and Indigenous culture.
A book detailing the history of the Pyap paddle steamer was officially launched.
Edited by John Ward, the book details how local resident Toby Henson turned the Pyap into a river icon.
The book took almost four years to complete and provides an accurate history of the Pyap in Swan Hill, with plenty of photographs, previously unpublished.
