General News
2 May, 2025
Local advocacy puts shire needs on campaign agenda
By CHRIS EARL POLITICAL parties have made just one funding commitment to the Loddon Shire ahead of Saturday’s election. That was when sitting MP Anne Webster (Nationals) pledged a Coalition government to $950000 for the Little Lake Boort precinct...
By CHRIS EARL
POLITICAL parties have made just one funding commitment to the Loddon Shire ahead of Saturday’s election.
That was when sitting MP Anne Webster (Nationals) pledged a Coalition government to $950000 for the Little Lake Boort precinct development days before the formal campaign start.
Loddon Shire had called for matching commitments from other Mallee candidates to guarantee a start on the project.
But at Tuesday night’s Loddon Herald forum, Labor candidate Greg Olsen said: “Making a commitment is one thing ... to follow through (and delivery) is another.”
“I would not want to be in a position and not able to deliver,” Mr Olsen said.
However, he said the Government had recently announced funding for the Maryborough swimming pool and believed the Boort project could be equally deserving of support.
Greens’ candidate Nicole Rowan said she was unaware of the Boort plans and that any funding from government required objective assessment.
Minor party candidates Adam Veitch (Trumpets of Patriots), Chris Lahy (Australian Citizens Party) and Jeff Barry (Libertarian) gave their support to local projects.
Inglewood and District Community Bank director Max Higgs pressed candidates on their support to improve child care access in Loddon Shire communities.
The community bank earlier this year put $250,000 on the table towards establishment of a centre in Inglewood.
Dr Webster said the Coalition’s $20 million regional Australia future fund had roads, infrastructure, child care and health at its core.
Labor’s Greg Olsen said better access to child care was important for communities and he was confident funding would be available for future child care initiatives.
Loddon has been one of the few local government child care deserts in Australia with parents travelling outside the shire to take child to care centres.
Candidates at the forum mostly stuck to overall party policy in answering questions from the in-person audience and online viewers.
The Loddon Herald forum was one of just two held in Mallee ahead of the election. A forum in Horsham on Monday night was organised by The Weekly Advertiser.
In the final question of the Loddon Herald forum, candidates were asked to back the campaign by Country Press Australia for the next government to give a fair and equitable slice of its advertising spend.
“A fair share of federal government advertising would help regional newspapers remain a beacon of truth, connection and resilience,” Country Press Australia says.
Candidates at the forum spoke in support of the role of local country newspapers.
Where to vote:the booths
Boort Resource and Information Centre
Wedderburn Senior Citizens’ Centre
Pyramid Hill College
Dingee Memorial Hall
Calivil Public Hall
Inglewood Primary School
Bridgewater Memorial Hall
Newbridge Public Hall
Tarnagulla Public Hall
Serpentine - Loddon Shire offices
Dunolly Senior Citizens’ Centre
Bealiba Primary School
Charlton Senior Citizens’ Centre
Booths open from 8am to 6pm
How you voted:Saturday wrap
THE Loddon Herald will present a special wrap of voting results at local booths on Saturday.
The election night special will be broadcast on the Loddon Herald’s facebook page about 8.30pm and will also include analysis of Loddon booth figures, trends across the Mallee electorate and whether they mirror what is happening across the region, Victoria and Australia.
Our election night coverage will also have interviews with candidates and other special commentators dissecting the outcome of the election and what it means for Loddon voters and local communities. You will also be able to stay up to date with local figures at www.loddonherald.com.au