Regional Victoria goes to next step
IN some great news, on Tuesday this week the Victorian Premier announced that from 11.59pm on Wednesday regional Victoria would be moving to the third step on the roadmap to reopening.
Under this step there are no restrictions on reasons to leave home.
Hospitality returns to seated table service, subject to group and density limits.
Up to 10 people are allowed to gather outdoors, while outdoor venues and events are now permitted, subject to pre-approved plans.
In terms of home visitors, you can create a household bubble with one nominated household allowing up to five visitors from that household at a time.
Subject to gathering and density limits, outdoor contact and non-contact sport for people aged 18 and younger will re-commence, while for adults, it will be outdoor non-contact sport only.
Outdoor skateparks are open and outdoor fitness for groups of 10 people permitted.
Travel in Victoria is allowed (except to areas with higher restrictions).
More details around the third step and what it involves is available from www.vic.gov.au/roadmap.
Feedback sought on bridge options
TRANSPORT for NSW is seeking feedback regarding two alignment options for the future Swan Hill bridge — option 9a or the McCallum Street option (also known as the direct alignment option or the John Forrest option).
Option 9a involves a new bridge with lift span, new intersection and traffic lights at Curlewis Street, the level rail crossing to be relocated from McCallum Street to a new alignment, property acquisition and access changes, and the realignment of Swan Hill-Moulamein Road.
The McCallum Street option involves a new bridge with possible lift span — it will maintain the existing alignment and direct connection to the roundabout at McCallum Street and the existing level crossing will be maintained. A temporary single lane bridge with shared path will be constructed prior to removal of existing bridge.
According to Transport for NSW, a McCallum Street option is now possible following the amendment of the NSW Government’s timber truss road bridges strategy in 2019.
This included the removal of the Swan Hill bridge from the list of bridges to be retained.
An online information session regarding the crossing will be held this September 21 at 1pm.
It will be an opportunity to learn more about the two options, ask questions and get real-time answers from the project team. A recording will also be available for viewing on this website after the event.
To register for the online information session go to nswroads.work/hysswanhill.
You can also visit this website for more information, including links to previous planning documents, the timber truss strategy and frequently asked questions.
Feedback regarding the two options will close at 5pm on October 16, 2020.
You can submit your feedback about the location of a future crossing Swan Hill by commenting online via the website nswroads.work/hysswanhill, emailing south.west.projects@transport.nsw.gov.au or writing to Swan Hill bridge, PO Box 464, Wagga Wagga, NSW 2650.
A community feedback summary report is due to be published in November 2020.
Candidate nominations now open
A REMINDER that if you’re considering standing in the upcoming council election that nominations are now open and close at noon on September 22.
Nominations must be lodged with the election manager during the short nomination period.
Prospective candidates must confirm their eligibility and complete online mandatory local government candidate training before lodging their nomination. This includes candidates who are currently or have previously been a councillor.
Prospective candidates must also make an appointment during business hours with the election manager to lodge their nomination form and pay their $250 nomination fee by noon September 22.
For more information, and to view a candidate information session, visit vec.vic.gov.au.
Thank you
AS this is my final column before we head into the council election period, I would just like to take this opportunity to thank my fellow councillors for their support during my time as mayor. I’d also like to thank the community who have engaged with me during the past 12 months.
It has been an honour to serve as mayor (and as a councillor) of the Swan Hill Rural City Council.
