Politics & Council

Data backs up fast service planning permits

LATEST data places Loddon Shire Council above expectations of rural councils for building and planning services it offers to residents. The Statutory Planning Permit Activity Report shows that in the first three months of 2025 every planning permit...

11 Jun 2025

Ahh but ... tax hike spectre remains

Premier buys time to temper rural backlash, writes Chris Earl THE fire is not yet under control. That’s the message from rural Victoria to Premier Jacinta Allan after her “masterstroke” Friday announcement that farmers would be spared the 150...

11 Jun 2025

New minister confirms child care pledge

THE Federal Government’s election eve commitment for a child care centre in the Loddon Shire has been confirmed by the new minister. Minister for Early Childhood Education Jess Walsh said: “The Albanese Labor Government promised up to $5 million...

09 Jun 2025

MP wants electoral office back in Mallee

FRESH calls have been made for the Australian Electoral Commission to have its Mallee office in the electorate. The formal declaration of the poll following last month’s federal election was made in Bendigo last Friday. But candidates were hard to...

09 Jun 2025

Webster gets promotion in reconciliation

ANNE Webster has been promoted in the Coalition reshuffle last week after the Liberals and Nationals patched up their “quickie divorce” in the wake of the federal election drubbing. Dr Webster has been elevated from an assistant shadow minister...

09 Jun 2025

Voters better state average

LODDON Shire Council elections last October had a large percentager voting than the state average. The Victorian Electoral Commission’s report on the election was tabled at last week’s council meeting. The VEC is paid by council to run the...

08 Jun 2025

Priority mobile tower push

TWENTY councils are expected to be part of an initiative that will improve mobile phone connectivity. Loddon Shire councillors last week voted to support the digital connectivity project that has Newbridge listed as a priority. Council will also...

07 Jun 2025

NOT OVER YET

Temporary reprieve fails to quell tax anger VOLUNTEER firefighters, farmers and community leaders have steeled themselves for a 12-month battle to have the State Government’s emergency services tax ditched. The Government on Friday gave farmers...

07 Jun 2025

What the neighbouring councils are saying ...

GANNAWARRA Shire Council last week voted to oppose the emergency services tax. Mayor Garner Smith said: “Council will also lobby the State Government to collect the levy via the State Revenue Office. “Many of our residents have already indicated...

Parliament told: Station delays ‘frustrating’

NORTHERN Victoria Region MP Wendy Lovell has slammed the State Government for continually delaying the new fire station for Serpentine brigade and demanded confirmation of the start and finish date for construction. Ms Lovell said in State...

Pressure builds to follow Loddon lead

SUPPORT has been swift for Loddon Shire Council’s stance against the State Government’s emergency services tax. Within hours of the decision at Tuesday’s council meeting to ask councils to unite in not collecting the tax, hundreds of people...

Crossbenchers duck vote questions

TWO crossbenchers who helped pass the State Government’s emergency services tax have refused to explain their vote that angered country communities. Animal Justice Party MP Georgie Purcell, elected in Northern Victoria region in 2022 with 1.53 per...

Two oppose VNI West! Will Loddon be next?

GANNAWARRA and Buloke Shires have backed away from supporting the controversial VNI West renewable energy transmission line and a landowner wants Loddon Shire to be the next. Tyler Nelson is campaigning against renewable energy projects on prime...

31 May 2025

Agriculture

Keep talking call as VFF says government ‘acknowledges emergency services tax pain’ with drought announcement

Agriculture

A 12-MONTH reprieves on farmers facing a 150 per cent hike from the new emergency services tax was acknowledgement by the Govvernment of the pain its tax had caused, said Victorian Farmers’ Federation president Brett Hoskling. Mr Hosking told the...

30 May 2025