PHOEBE DOYLE looks back at the events and issues from July in The Guardian‘s Year in Review series.
Tuesday, August 2
– ABS data showed Swan Hill was one of Victoria’s agricultural powerhouses, estimating the value of local production to be close to $800 million. However, Swan Hill Council acting Mayor Bill Moar said the data was “about half of that”, with independent studies showing the municipality produces close to $1.4 billion in agriculture output.
– The Victorian Government announced funding for Agricultural and Pastoral Societies to cover the cost of free entry for children under the age of 14 at rural and regional shows across the state. Swan Hill District Agricultural and Pastoral Society president Reg Packer said the funding will mean more money will be in the back pockets of families when they enter the gates of the Swan Hill Show.
Friday, August 5
– Construction of Swan Hill District Health’s (SHDH) new emergency department is set to start later in the month after an announcement by the Victorian Government. The first stage of the $48.7 million project has been in the making for more than six years. Minister for Health Mary-Anne Thomas said the upgrade will more than double treatment spaces and improve locals access to emergency care.
– An Emergency Animal Disease Taskforce was established by the Victorian Government in response to the growing threat of foot and mouth disease (FMD). Victorian Minister for Agriculture Gayle Tierney said the idea behind the taskforce was to plan a rapid response to any potential FMD outbreak in the state, focusing on bolstering the workforce of Agriculture Victoria to manage the potential social, economic and environmental threat of FMD.
