Politics & Council
11 October, 2024
Farmers want basics fixed
A ROADSIDE meeting of farmers on the southern edge of the Loddon Shire on Monday called for basic services to be given a higher priority. “We need roads that buses and the mail run contractor can use,” said Laanecoorie’s Brian Baker. “We...
A ROADSIDE meeting of farmers on the southern edge of the Loddon Shire on Monday called for basic services to be given a higher priority.
“We need roads that buses and the mail run contractor can use,” said Laanecoorie’s Brian Baker.
“We just want our area kept in good order - roads, drainage - the basics.”
Mr Baker had called district residents to the meeting to put their grievances to Tarnagulla Ward candidate Nick Angelo.
Laanecoorie resident Graham Cain said: “And we need more work done in our town, to make sure the guttering and drainage works properly.”
“Other towns are getting footpaths. We’re not asking for anything like that but we do need better drainage so that we don’t have a foot of water across our driveways,” Mr Cain said.
“We want someone to take up our needs and needle until they are fixed,” said Mr Baker.
Woodstock West Fire Brigade captain Leigh Hercus said his members were concerned that the Eastville water bore connection had not been working for 12 months. “It’s not been repaired and we’re facing a potentially traumatic fire season.”
“We need more attention to the basic infrastructure in our area.”
The frustrated farmers claimed they needed better advocacy and action for the southern areas of the shire.
Mr Baker said he backed earlier calls by Mr Angelo for an end to the “flick to a link” response when residents raised concerns.
Businessman Norm Morrison said it had been strong local community voices that had first raised the need for a reduced 80kmh speed limit on the bend at Eddington.
Farmers said that while the road’s speed limit and their continued push for a turning lane were a State Government matter, they looked to support from council.
Mr Angelo, who had been part of the 80kmh limit push, said concerns of residents had come through loudly in the four years since he had previously stood for concern.
“This group of farmers said they wanted a meeting, I was happy to talk with them - what they are saying they want is fair, makes sense and needs action,” Mr Angelo said.
“I’ve said before, that these basics need to be fixed and I’ll keep stirring the pot until they are.
“Roads, drainage, phones - these are the issues in these communities.”
Mr Baker said: “We just want someone to take our concerns seriously and keep fighting away.”