Politics & Council
5 February, 2026
Be open, welcome scrutiny and share every step of the way
BIG city influences and ideas are now playing out in Loddon communities.
Driven and defined by governments and bureaucrats, the reality of some of their plans or proposals only picked up through local grapevines at times being kept in a partial state of darkness either by design or arrogance.
Consultation has become exercises in ticking the box, being told what is happening under the guise of a proposal yet feedback makes little, if any difference to the plan when released. Opportunities for feedback and engagement are being measured in days not months.
Loddon communities are becoming the playground for the city-based overseers and implementers of government ideology and policy and those seeking to extend their sphere of influence and control in rural Victoria.
Last week’s revelation that Aboriginal activist Gary Murray wants the Federal Government to ban duck shooting on Little Lake Boort is the latest attack from outside the region. He also wants the lake to have state, national and World Heritage listing. No conversations in the Boort community.
Then in recent days a “secret” State Government document emerges that talks about the damage agriculture is doing to Aboriginal heritage at Lake Boort and along the Kinipanyial Creek.
There had been grapevine reports over the last six months of Department of Premier and Cabinet officials making under the radar inspections in the district. Even a government minister turned up at Lake Boort last year to announce $5 million in heritage funding in Victoria ... where that money will be spent has not been announced. The ministerial visit came without the presence of media (as your local newspaper, the Loddon Herald was not informed nor invited) and therefore the opportunity to ask questions, for scrutiny.
Whether it’s the Government or publicly funded Aboriginal corporations and entities, local communities have every right to ask questions. As the local newspaper, we have been told many times over the last five years “we don’t like ... your questions”. Our response is always that they are questions local people would like answered. Even in the 21st century, there still must be accountability in government.
Proposals to protect or promote Aboriginal heritage may or may not impact our local communities.
In 2021, when agreement was reached with Dja Dja Wurrung Aboriginal Corporation to retain historic Catto Lodge at the foot of Mount Kooyoora, then CEO Rodney Carter said the corporation had to become better in its communication with local people.
Mr Carter was widely praised by the Rheola community and Catto family for his engagement and consideration that saved Catto Lodge from demolition under Kooyoora State Park plans. Sadly, Mr Carter is no longer at the helm of Dja Dja Wurrung.
Last year’s lead-up and ultimate passage of treaty legislation in State Parliament may have hastened and emboldened the desire of Dja Dja Wurrung, who wants a regional treaty as well, in areas like Lake Boort and Inglewood.
As Mr Murray admitted to the Loddon Herald last week, Dja Dja Wurrung had dropped the ball on Lake Boort for more than a century. Now , they want to again be at the forefront of shaping a future for the lake and indeed the town with an Aboriginal cultural centre.
Last year’s indigenous-heavy designs for the Inglewood streetscape project angered locals. The revised designs are still to be produced months after eventual community consultation closed.
When council was preparing its four-year plan late in 2025, Dja Dja Wurrung made a submission as if their right. The full contents of that submission have not been released by council and Dja Dja Wurrung has ignored requests for a copy. A Freedom of Information request lodged last November with council remains pending.
Next week, representatives of the Department of Premier and Cabinet will meet a small group of Boort community leaders for talks on the future of Lake Boort and potentially farming along the Kinipanyial Creek. The department of Premier Jacinta Allan says it doesn’t want details out just yet.
Unfortunately for the Government, community awareness and engagement is vital now, not when the plans have been locked in all but for the “consultation” phase.
The same can be said about the eventual designation for Wedderburn’s new early learning centre opening this week. Wedderburn is its interim name only, with the Government expected to ‘‘impose’’ its indigenous policy as has happened with the 19 new schools opening across the state.
There has been criticism, time will tell if well founded or not, that the Government is trotting out changes on country communities without working with those towns and districts. VNI West and the emergency services tax are among the other much-cited examples.
Government, bring people into your confidence, collaborate and be inclusive of everyone and outcomes might be much better.
As respected Aboriginal elder Rodney Carter said five years ago, be better with your communication with local people.