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News Bulletin

News Bulletin - 10 February 2006

By Bass Coast Shire Council - 13th February 2006 - Back to News

Stage 6 of Bass Highway Duplication

Bass Coast Shire Council has issued an invitation for the community to view a public display providing detailed information of the proposed Bass Highway Duplication Stage 6 at the Grantville Transaction Centre.

Council and the community have been involved in lobbying VicRoads for the Highway Duplication. Stage 6 Proposed works covers the section from King Road to Woolmers Road. Estimated cost of this stage of the project is $29 million. The project is subject to Government funding availability based on state-wide priorities.

The proposed works include:

• construction of a new carriageway to the east of the existing road between King Road and Acton Road and Bass Road and Woolmers Road;
• construction of a new carriageway to the west of the existing road between Acton Road and Bass Road;
• upgrading existing road surface;
• median openings at King Road, Dwyer Road, Hade Avenue and Bass Road; and
• a wider median opening at Soldiers Road to allow larger vehicles the opportunity to wait in the median when making a right hand turn onto the Bass Highway.

VicRoads is inviting comment on the proposed works between King Road and Woolmers Road. Comments should be directed to Mr David Shelton, Regional Manager – Eastern, VicRoads, PO Box 158, Traralgon VIC 3844. Please include your home address and preferred method of contact. You can also contact Ms Candace Mackrell during business hours on 5172 2666 or email vicroads.eastern@roads.vic.gov.au.

Bass Coast Shire Finances Are Healthy, Say Auditors

Independent auditors have concluded that Bass Coast Shire Council’s financial position is essentially sound.

Last week, Councillors and senior staff undertook a Financial Sustainability workshop, as part of the budget process currently underway at Council.

The workshop, presented by independent auditors Mr Charles Kwong and Mr Des Bethke, was based around a report they prepared examining Council’s financial performance over the past five years.

Council’s Audit Committee commissed this report late last year. The independent auditors were instructed to assess Council’s financial performance and also make recommendations about Council’s future financial sustainability.

The report concluded that Council was in a healthy financial position. Figures showing Council’s financial performance compared to other Councils within the Municipal Group (18 shires, rated as small by the State Government) were also encouraging.

Capital works, infrastructure renewal and maintenance expenditures were all identified as areas that need attention when setting the parameters for future budgets.

In addition to the workshops, the auditors made presentations at a public briefing and Council Meeting held in Cowes on Wednesday 1 February.

Anderson Street Boat Ramp Public Meeting

A public meeting to discuss ways to improve the management and operation of the Anderson Street Boat Ramp and car park was held on Tuesday 7 February.

Chaired by Cr Peter Paul, approximately 20 people attended the meeting, including Bass Coast Shire Mayor, Cr Neville Goodwin, and a number of senior officers. All were in agreement that a range of improvements could be implemented in the short and medium term.

Cr Paul confirmed that prompt action was required on a number of short term improvements including repairs to the boat ramp, particularly filling of holes and cracks; no-standing line marking in the car park; better signage to prevent children swimming in the vicinity of the ramp; and better designation of the wash-down area.

Council has committed to undertaking these improvements within the current financial year. It will also continue to apply for grant funding for further major upgrades including building a new boat ramp.

Energy Innovation Festival

The popular and successful Wonthaggi Human Powered Grand Prix is going to a new level this year with the inclusion of the Wonthaggi Energy Innovation Festival.

The event is taking place early this year (24 – 26 February) to avoid clashing with the Commonwealth Games.

Last year 65 teams were booked to ride in the HP Grand Prix, and the Management Committee is confident that even with the impact of the event taking place earlier in the school year, it will maintain similar numbers for this year.

The expanded festival will involve three levels of competition and displays around the theme of sustainable living and energy efficiency including sections for students, community members and commercial entities.

By broadening the theme of the event into an "Energy Innovation Festival" it is hoped to help build the profile and widen the appeal of the weekend.

Council’s Special Events Coordinator, Frank Angarane, says there are increasing numbers of companies in the region specialising in energy efficient products and supporting more sustainable living styles.

"Public interest in this issue is high and the theme fits with the overall theme of the event."

Exhibitors include local and regional businesses dealing in solar hot water, solar electricity generation and energy auditing. Home insulation, water tanks, grey water recycling, compost toilets and energy efficient vehicles will also be featured.

Source: www.gippsland.com

Published by: support@gippsland.com