Council welfare project
IN response to the COVID-19 pandemic, council has implemented a welfare project that aims to support and bolster connections throughout the municipality.
It is important during these times to keep connected in ways that support a happy and healthy wellbeing.
As part of the Victorian Government’s Community Activation and Social Isolation initiative, coupled with the Working for Victoria program, council has put together a team to assist and strengthen connections throughout the community.
Fortunately, there is already a strong spirit of community goodwill with many great resources, services and programs throughout our municipality.
We want to ensure people who have lost their regular networks and suffering from social isolation are reaching these local supports and making the connections they need to get through these
unprecedented times.
To find out more about the welfare project or for assistance, please contact council’s community connector, Emily Siely, on 5036 2415 or email esiely@swanhill.vic.gov.au.
Rates instalment deadlines extended
COUNCIL is extending payment deadlines for the first and second instalment of rates.
Rate notices were being mailed out this week, with the first rates instalment payment due on September 30 and the second instalment by November 30.
Given the current stress on households and the timeframe of two weeks to pay the first instalment, council is extending the due date by two weeks to October 15.
We will also extend the due date of the second instalment by a further two weeks to December 15.
For commercial properties, any unpaid 2019/20 rates and the first instalment of 2020/21 were deferred until November 30, 2020, without interest penalty.
Residents or other sectors experiencing hardship or difficulty in making their rate payment can apply for special consideration due to their individual circumstances.
Financial hardship application forms are available on council’s website: www.swanhill.vic.gov.au.
To find out more, please contact council on 5036 2333.
Restrictions roadmap announced
ON Sunday, the Victorian Premier announced the roadmap to reopening the state, including for regional Victoria.
There are a number of steps before we reach what’s being called COVID normal.
In regional Victoria, from 11.59pm this Sunday, September 13, regional Victoria will start on the second step of the roadmap.
There will still be only four reasons that you can leave home: to shop for food and necessary goods or services, provide care or seek medical treatment, outdoor exercise or recreation, and work or education if you can’t do it from home
Up to five people from a maximum of two households will be able to meet outdoors for social interaction.
People living alone or single parents can nominate one person with whom they can form a social bubble to visit each other for social interaction.
There will be a staged return to onsite learning for all regional students in term four with safety measures in place.
More details around the steps and what each involves is available from www.vic.gov.au/roadmap.
Congratulations Luca
I’D like to congratulate Luca Devlin who last week was announced as the ambassador for Swan Hill’s Youth Arts Festival 2020.
Youth Arts Festival is an annual one day event celebrating the talents of young people in our community.
Obviously due to COVID-19, the festival will look different this year but will still feature live performances and virtual art spaces for talented young people.
Youth Inc hopes that the community will get involved in the virtual event this year and help celebrate the arts of young people in our community.
If you would like more information on the festival give Youth Inc a call on 0419 288 365 or send them a message via their Facebook page www.facebook.com/SwanHillYouthArtsFestival.
