A message from the Mayor Bill Moar
Preparation works begin for Our Place
PREPARATION works will begin for the Our Place development following Council endorsement of both preconstruction works plans and the Monash Drive Car Parking Upgrade design at last week’s meeting.Additionally, Council resolved to take advantage of current market conditions in commercial construction (including confirmation of the market’s enthusiasm to participate in an open tender) and progress to an open tender for the development of the Our Place project.Site preparation works are expected to start in June or July. These works will include the requirement to remove or move some existing infrastructure, hard surfaces, established trees, fencing and gardens.This preparation will ensure a seamless transition between getting the site ready and starting construction.Unfortunately, a risk assessment by an arborist has recommended the removal of a number of trees along the eastern side of Monash Drive. These trees are past their safe life and must be removed for safety reasons.Council worked with its landscape architect towards retaining the trees, but the arborist’s report made it clear that the trees are a danger and must be removed. These concerns were underlined by the loss of a major limb from one of the trees in January.Council will ensure timber from the trees is repurposed throughout the new landscaping design wherever possible, likely to be incorporated into seating and landscape artwork installations. Remaining timber will be used at the Pioneer Settlement.Extensive landscaping will beautify the area, including new tree plantings to establish a shaded canopy to the project’s entry lawn and garden area.As mentioned above, there will also be an upgrade to the road and parking in Monash Drive, including installation of angle parking – doubling the current parking capacity to 110 spaces.All-abilities car parking will also be added, along with short-stay spaces and parking for long vehicles and buses.Council is planning an opportunity in the near future for local residents and community members to tour the site.For more information regarding the Our Place project, including extracts of the arborist’s report visit www.swanhill.vic.gov.au/our-placeOur Place is part-funded by the Federal Government’s Regional Growth Fund.
Visitors flock to Pioneer Settlement
January this year saw a record number of visitors flock to the Pioneer Settlement – which is fantastic news.More than 13,000 visitors came to the Pioneer Settlement during January, an increase of around 85 per cent compared to January 2020 – and the best visitor numbers in at least a decade.This followed on from an increase in visitors to the Pioneer Settlement in December last year (up more than 50 per cent compared to December 2020). What’s more, the March long weekend was also a busy one for the Pioneer Settlement, with just over 2100 visitors during the weekend alone.Council also received some welcome news last week with the State Government announcing a $450,000 boost towards a new sound and light show for the Pioneer Settlement.The funding is being considered for enhancements and extensions to the existing Heartbeat of the Murray show, an additional show and an improved experience on the walk to the amphitheatre.
Have your say on outdoor dining podsCouncil has been delighted by the positive response to the Dining Pod initiative and is calling on community feedback to guide the future of the outdoor dining program.
The community is being asked to share their thoughts by completing an online survey to help Council decide if the extended dining initiative should stay in some form in the future.
Consultation is open until 31 March 2021.
Residents can complete the online survey at www.surveymonkey.com/r/outdoordiningswanhill
To find out more, please contact the Economic Development Unit by phoning 5032 3033 or emailing ecodev@swanhill.vic.gov.au
Fire danger period ended
The CFA has advised that the fire danger period across our municipality has now ended.
If you live in a farming zone, you can now burn off without a permit, but some rules still apply and you must register your burn off by calling 1800 668 511.
Under Council’s Local Law, no open air fires are to be lit in commercial or residential areas without a permit, residents may now apply for permits.
To find out more, including applying for a permit, visit www.swanhill.vic.gov.au/environment-andwaste/fires-2021
