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Loddon HERALD Vol 3 No 17 THURSDAY, MAY 11, 2023 ISSN 2653-1550
QUICK ON DRAW Population growth spurs ward review
LODDON Shire ward boundaries will be redrawn after a population jump in Inglewood and Bridgewater. The ward now has an enrolment outside the 10 per cent variation allowed between the shire’s five electoral areas. A date has not been set for the review but it will be done before next year’s October general election. A Victorian Electoral Commission spokesperson said: “The ward boundary reviews aim to ensure all wards within a local council have approximately equal numbers of voters.” They said enrolments in each ward last month were: Boort 1187, Inglewood 1325, Tarnagulla 1027, Terrick 1202 and Wedderburn 1082. It will be the first time boundaries of existing single-councillor wards have come under the mi-
Loddon’s current wards
LH PHOTO
By CHRIS EARL croscope since 2011. The VEC said Loddon was one of 10 councils to have ward reviews on top of another 39 councils that do not meet changes to the Local Government Act in 2020 requiring rural council ward boundaries are unsubdivided, multicouncillor wards with equal number of councillors or singlecouncillor wards. The VEC on Monday confirmed the Loddon review had been initiated after Local Government Minister Melissa Horne last month told council of the need to redraw boundaries. “The reviews are conducted by an independent electoral representation advisory panel. This panel is an independent body appointed by the Minister for Local Government to advise on the most suitable electoral structure for councils that need to be reviewed,” a spokesperson said. “Although the VEC provides administrative and technical support to the panel it is not responsible for conducting the reviews or appointing the panel members.” However, a Government spokesman said on Tuesday: “There is no panel. Ward boundary reviews are undertaken by the VEC.” Last year’s Census showed that Loddon Shire’s population had increased for the first time in 20 years to 7729 with town growth highest in Boort and along the Calder corridor.
Thanks Mum ... it’s tradition THOUSANDS of chrysanthemums are blooming on time at Serpentine ahead of Mother’s Day on Sunday. Helen Garchitorena was joined by daughter Feliz at the weekend picking blooms in The Chrysanthemum Yard’s Loddon Valley Highway patch for her roadside stall and sale to florists across northern and central Victoria. “It’s always a Mother’s Day gift to help mum pick
the flowers ... it’s our family tradition,” said Feliz, a former Pyramid Hill College student now teaching VCE chemistry and biology in Melbourne and studying for her masters in secondary education. Helen first planted her chrysanthemums seven years ago and hopes this year’s bunches will bring joy to mothers on Sunday when received as gifts of thanks from family for Mother’s Day.
Quality, Position, Immaculate! 23 Houston Street Inglewood One of Inglewood’s lovely modern homes, built in 1985, this excellently positioned family home offers quality fixtures and fittings, all within an easy functioning family home. Offering 3 big spacious bedrooms with the Master bedroom having a deep walk in robe & Ensuite, the other bedrooms with built in robes. Large bathroom with separate Shower, Bath & Vanity along with a big Laundry with separate Toilet. Heating & cooling is from the Reverse Cycle, ducted units. Outside is a lovely patio on the East side & a small fernery on the West side. Coupled with a large double carport with enclosed fencing in the backyard, this home is very Pet friendly. A 6m x 7.5m Colorbond shed in the rear yard, compliments the home with full 240V power & cement floor. $520,000
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