MITCHELL-STRATHBOGIE EDITION
64 PAGES
AVENEL • BEVERIDGE • BROADFORD • CLONBINANE • DONNYBROOK • EUROA • HEATHCOTE JUNCTION • KILMORE • LONGWOOD NAGAMBIE • PUCKAPUNYAL • SEYMOUR • TALLAROOK • TRAWOOL • VIOLET TOWN • WALLAN • WANDONG
U. Plenty permit
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 4, 2026
CLEELAND FOCUS ON SEXUAL ASSAULTS
■ Euroa MLA Annabelle Cleeland has applied pressure in State Parliament to Premier Jacinta Allan about sexual assaults on Big Build projects. Ms Cleeland - “My question is to the Premier. What action has the Premier taken since the release of the Watson report to ensure that any woman sexually assaulted on Big Build sites will be eligible for compensation?” Ms Allan - “Again, anyone who has allegations of abuse, assault or harassment, all of which are crimes, should be referring those matters without hesitation to Victoria Police as the agency with the tools and the powers to investigate these very serious matters. “Once those allegations have been made and have been investigated by Victoria Police, if charges are laid and charges are proven through the court processes, then people are eligible for compensation through the victims-of-crime processes that are set independently. “This is a serious, serious matter. Not only is ensuring that victims of crime have access to compensation something that we take seriously, but we need to support victims of crime, not choose parliamentary forums to retraumatise and impact on victims of crime.” Ms Cleeland - “Will the Premier guarantee that any woman sexually assaulted on Big Build sites will be eligible for compensation?”
Motion lost 4-2 ■ A motion by Cr Clark Holloway and Cr Vicki Halsall to Strathbogie Council was lost 4-2. The motion proposed that Shire fficers prepare an internal briefing to Council outlining Council’s Emergency Management Policy framework, including but not limited to the Municipal Emergency Management Plan, which provides the overarching structure for emergency prevention, preparedness, response, and recovery within Strathbogie Shire. Voting against the proposal were Crs Jeffery, Carlson, Stevens and Binks.
Tones and I concert ■ A second release of tickets has occurred for the Tones and I one-off concert to be held at the Longwood Recreation Reserve from 5pm this Saturday (Mar. 7). $5 of every $40.70 ticketwill be be donated to the Strathbogie Disaster Relief Fund.
Inside This Week FREE ADS FOR FIREAFFECTED BUSINESSES
● Annabelle Cleeland MLA
MP SALUTES KALKALLO LOCALS
● Ros Spence, Kalkallo MLA
■ A planning permit for ertrospective earthworks at a dwelling at Upper Plenty waqs due to be heard at the Mitchell Shire Council’s meeting on Monday night (Mar. 2) as this issue of The Local Paper went to press. Councillors were due to consider the application for the property at 1290 WallanWhittlesea Rd. Eight objections were received by the Council. An Enforcement Notice was issued on August 16, 2024, after earthworks were observed on site without a planning permit. It was requested to cease the earthworks for a proposed shed.
■ Kalkallo MLA Ros Spence has publicly acknowledged two examples of community spirit and achievement in her electorate. “Local residents Kiran Sidhu and Raj Mann are the founders of the Change Makers Foundation, a not-for-profit organisation committed to improving lives by raising awareness, supporting vulnerable communities and driving positive social change,” Ms Spence told Parliament. “To this end Change Makers recently delivered a heart health awareness session in Craigieburn that featured presentations from cardiac specialists. “The event was free for the local community, well attended and provided practical information to local families. “The dedication of Kiran and Raj to improving community health is greatly appreciated, and I wish them well with their upcoming monthly sessions in my electorate. “I also want to recognise 10-year-old Craigieburn resident Abraham Sihombing, who achieved an impressive success as the 2026 Golden Gig junior winner at Tamworth. “In a thoughtful letter Abraham expressed his passion for music and his hope to perform at community events and festivals in our area. “Young people like Abraham add to the vibrancy of our community, and I look forward to opportunities for him to share his music with local audiences.”
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YOUR GUIDE TO COUNTRY LIVING
Life in the bush has its own unique set of challenges. Check our ‘Victorian Rural News’ section for the latest info. VicRuralNews.com.au