Tuesday, April 4
Doubts on hostel expansion bid
A push by a local committee to upgrade the Bidgee Haven Hostel in Balranald to a 30-bed facility failed.
Balranald Shire Council administrator Michael Colreavy that the financial plan, which had been in place for several years, was not viable.
“We’ve produced financial models that show we’re already losing money at 15 beds, and at 30, we’d lose a figure approaching $500,000 a year, which we have no way of paying for,” he said.
https://www.theguardian.com.au/news257/doubts-on-hostel-expansion-bid
Rain above March average
THE Swan Hill district exceeded the long-term rainfall average after a wet end to the month of March.
A total of 19.2mm fell in the first month of autumn, above the 16.5mm long-term average.
March’s highest rainfall on record was 136.7mm in 1926.
https://www.theguardian.com.au/news257/rain-above-march-average
Thursday, April 6
Road upgrades will reap huge benefits
A report released by RM Consulting Group found that investing $37.7 million for roads to accommodate bigger heavy vehicles across Swan Hill and Gannawarra shires would deliver up to $14 million annually in economic and environmental benefits.
Swan Hill Deputy Mayor Stuart King said the two municipalities generated over three million tonnes of primary production freight, with more than 70 per cent transported on the road network.
“The Victorian Government can’t find $100 million to complete the Murray Basin Rail Project, and many of our roads a reminiscent of a third world country,” he said.
https://www.theguardian.com.au/news257/road-upgrades-willreap-huge-benefits
Protect against bites, virus survivor warns
A Japanese encephalitis survivor called on the community to protect itself against mosquitos during the Easter camping period.
Mick Smith, who was hospitalised with JE last year after contracting the illness during a camping trip at Boundary Bend, urged people to be vigilant as Victoria recorded three deaths from mosquito-borne disease during the season.
https://www.theguardian.com.au/health/protect-against-bites-virus-survivor-warns
Tuesday, April 11
Sailors brave Lake Boga breeze
Lake Boga Yacht Club’s annual Easter Regatta returned for another weekend of high-class sailing.
Regatta organiser Garry Johnstone told The Guardian that while numbers were slightly down compared to the year before, the club was overall happy with the turnout.
“We ended up having 90 competing, which is around where we wanted,” he said.
https://www.theguardian.com.au/news257/sailors-brave-lake-boga-breeze
Easter basket of fun
Swan Hill’s main street was bustling with visitors and locals as Swan Hill Inc hosted its annual Easter market.
Despite gusty winds, shoppers turned out in droves to look through the array of market stalls and enjoy the variety of entertainment.
https://www.theguardian.com.au/news/easter-basket-of-fun
Friday, April 14
Protest calls Bendigo Bank to account
More than 250 people turned out in Cohuna to protest over planned Bendigo Bank agency closures in Cohuna, Pyramid Hill and Barham.
It was a last-ditch effort to try and stop the closures on July 20, which agency owners feared would have far-reaching economic impacts on the three communities.
https://www.theguardian.com.au/news257/protest-calls-bendigo-bank-to-account
Rocky pulls a crowd
Swan Hill Rural City Council and Pioneer Settlement introduced Rocky the Clydesdale, who was quickly stealing the hearts of visitors.
Rocky replaced the Pioneer Settlement’s beloved Clydesdale Gemma, who dies peacefully at more than 20 year of age in February.
https://www.theguardian.com.au/news257/rocky-pulls-a-crowd
Tuesday, April 18
Burden pushing essential workers to brink
A new report warned that workers are being priced out of their communities, with the average essential working in Northern Victoria spending about half of their wage on rent.
Hospitality workers and meat packers were found to have the highest percentage of the spent on rent at 54 per cent.
https://www.theguardian.com.au/news257/burden-pushing-essential-workers-to-brink
Doctor into the rotation
In a first-of-its-kind relationship, Swan Hill District Health partnered with Mallee District Aboriginal Services to place a doctor who will share time between the two health services on a two-week rotation.
Dr Ahmed Hosni is a general practitioner with an extensive background in intensive care, drugs and alcohol and indigenous services.
https://www.theguardian.com.au/health/doctor-into-the-rotation
Friday, April 21
Vandals hit parking meters
More than 80 per cent of the parking meters across Swan Hill were severely damaged by what has been described as a senseless act of vandalism.
The meters were out of service were a few weeks while the extent of the damage was assessed and fixed.
https://www.theguardian.com.au/news/vandals-hit-parking-meters
Flood information delay claims
Balranald Shire Administrator Mike Colreavy criticised an executive for failing to provide crucial flood information when repeatedly asked.
Mr Colreavy said “no satisfactory explanation” had been received by the then acting general manager Kerry Jones for his failure to provide information on the impacts of the floods.
https://www.theguardian.com.au/news/flood-information-delay-claims
Tuesday, April 25
Rates to rise 3.5 per cent under draft budget
Swan Hill Council ratepayers copped a 3.5 per cent rate rise under the 2023-24 draft budget.
Mayor Les McPhee said the draft budget was committed to “maintaining services through efficiency and strong financial management”, while also providing a “positive capital works program to be proud of”.
https://www.theguardian.com.au/news257/rates-to-rise-35-per-cent-under-draft-budget
Beaming into the night
Riverside Park lit up with an impressive display of light and sound for the Yana Waingi light and sound event.
The display recognised Aboriginal culture and the region’s rich history.
https://www.theguardian.com.au/news257/beaming-into-the-night
Friday, April 28
Hundreds of attendees pay tribute to Anzacs in dawn service in Swan Hill
Young and old gathered at Swan Hill’s war memorial from all corners of the district to remember Australian and New Zealand soldiers past and present on ANZAC Day.
Hundreds of people rose before the sun to attend Swan Hill RSL’s dawn service led by sub-branch president Peter Ritchie.
Green build shows way
Neil and Carol Preston were building a house made nearly entirely of hemp – the first of it’s kind in Swan Hill.
Hemp homes are fire resistant, termite proof, mouse proof and hypoallergenic, and have high acoustic performance, breathable walls and a negative carbon footprint.
https://www.theguardian.com.au/news257/green-build-shows-way
