The Adviser 1510

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■ Letters to the Editor | page 19 ■ 7 Day TV Guide | page 21 /SheppartonAdviser

STUDENTS RESUME FACE TO FACE LEARNING PAGES 17, 2+14 No 1:1510

Chamber meets with Damian Drum over Mall redevelopment

By Steve Hutcheson ONE of the key elements to bringing positive change and success to Shepparton’s CBD is the Chamber of Commerce’s modifications to the current Maude Street Mall redevelopment design.

The Chamber recently took to the streets with its suggested modifications to the Maude Street Mall Redevelopment to seek opinion and received overwhelming support from traders.

Continued on page 18

DO YOU HAVE A SPARE JACKET?

WEDNESDAY, MAY 27, 2020

COMMUNITY SUPPORT STRONG FOR LOCAL SURF AND SKI STORE PAGE 8

PAGE 16

www.sheppadviser.com.au | ADVERTISING HOTLINE: 5832 8900

Fish stocks at risk through inter-valley trading of water THE recent shutdown of recreational fishing due to the Coronavirus has given a welcome respite to fish stocks in the Victorian rivers yet other factors that contribute to their decline are ongoing.

Inter-valley trade (IVT) of water rights from Victorian sources to other parts further along the Murray system have over the years been contributing towards the decline due to the high flows in late spring and through summer reducing the survival, growth and recruitment of both wild and stocked juvenile Murray cod and other native threatened fish species.

Continued on page 18

GETTING IN A SPOT OF FISHING...

Young Charlie Threlfall along with his grandfather, Steve Threlfall, owner of Trelly’s Outdoor and his mother, Jaclyn Threlfall try their hand at catching some fish in the Goulburn River. Photo: Steve Hutcheson

NEWS

CONTACT US: Reception: Telephone: 5832 8900 Address: Newspaper House, 219-225 Wyndham St, Shepparton, Victoria 3630 Editorial: editorial@sheppartonadviser.com.au Advertising: melanie.spencer@sheppartonadviser.com.au Classifieds: classifieds@sheppartonadviser.com.au Production: production@sheppartonadviser.com.au www.sheppadviser.com.au facebook.com.au/SheppartonAdviser

CAB Audited to 29,588 homes, farms & businesses weekly on Wednesdays The Adviser is a member of the Victorian Country Press Association

The Goulburn and Murray Valleys’ largest circulating newspaper

Back to school with a difference AS we start to unwind some of the restrictions that were imposed to limit the spread of the COVID-19, thousands of kids from Prep to grade 2 and senior secondary students (year 11 and 12) across Victoria are returning to school this week under a new set of guidelines issued by the Education Department.

Students in Grade 3 – Year 10 who can learn from home must continue to learn from home. These students will continue to be supported by their school to learn remotely. Students who are unable to learn from home can continue to attend the supervised program at their school.

So as to not rush the process, remote learning will continue for years 3 to 10 although teachers will conduct the classes from the schools rather than their homes.

The new guidelines issued by the department will include measures for enhanced cleaning, physical distancing rules for staff and students, hygiene promotion and other health and safety measures.

Voluntary COVID-19 testing will be available for all teachers.

Stage 2, to be introduced on June 9 will see all students returning to school and remote learning classes will end.

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EXCITED TO BE BACK... From left, Greater Shepparton Secondary College year 11 students, Joy Parnell and Brooke Voss at the Wanganui Park campus. Photo: Katelyn Morse.

NEWS

Drum calls for breaking up of Basin Authority The agricultural sector has lost total confidence and trust in the authority to do what is right Damian Drum EXASPERATED by poor decisions and a lack of transparency, local Member for Nicholls, Damian Drum has made a call in parliament to have the Murray Darling Basin Authority (MDBA) taken apart and reconfigured.

Building on the appearance of Mick Keelty before a Senate Select committee in the past week and his continued review of data about water flows, Damian says he no longer has confidence in the MDBA to be a source of truth.

According to Damian, the authority should be split into three components, one to manage river operations, another to consider the Murray Darling planning and a third division to manage its legal compliance.

“The agricultural sector has lost total confidence and trust in the authority to do what is right,” said Damian. “We need to be able to account for every drop and as has been highlighted by Mick Keelty, there is upwards of 375GL not being accounted for.”

“For the time being, there also needs to be a moratorium on new developments until the allocations have been fairly apportioned. Putting up new irrigation projects in New South Wales or South Australia puts additional pressure on Victorian irrigators.”

CALLING FOR CHANGE IN BASIN AUTHORITY… Local Member for Nicholls, Damian Drum puts forwards a proposal to alter the makeup of the MDBA. Photo: Steve Hutcheson.

Damian also sees potential in bringing the MDBA under the auspices of the National Water Grid Authority along with all the other national basin management authorities each functioning under a common set of rules and regulations.

As it stands, each state has its own set

of river management regulations with wide variation between each, a carry-over from the drafting of the Australian constitution under section 100 drafted back in 1901.

The use of water has altered significantly over the years.

The Adviser. Australia No. 1:1510 Wednesday, May 27, 2020 – Page 3

NEWS

Calling all aspiring writers THE time to submit to the 2020 Furphy Literary Awards draws nigh.

Due to the restrictions of COV ID19 the Furphy Literary Awards extended the competition period to allow students to adjust to the changing learning environment. Submissions will close this Sunday 31 May. The Furphy Literary Awards and partners would like to applaud the students who have and are continuing to study and learn remotely at home.

Greater Shepparton City Council Mayor, Councillor Seema Abdullah encouraged young writers across the Goulburn Valley to submit a story. “These awards are another way we can share the stories from the youth in our community and help nurture and encourage upcoming writers,” Cr Abdullah said.

Furphy Foundation Director, Sam Furphy

said the Furphy Literary Awards highlight the strength of local writers of all ages. The awards were founded on the belief that everyone can write at least one good story which includes the youth in our community.

“This is a great opportunity for students across the Goulburn Valley to express their voices through literature and we encourage you to make a submission.”

The Furphy Literary Awards are open to students across the Goulburn Valley. There are three categories, Junior Short Story for writers 12 and under, Youth Short Story for writers aged 13-18 years and Youth Poetry for writers aged 13-18 years.

Each category has a first place prize of $300, second prize $100 and third $50.

Entries close Sunday 31 May 2020 at 5pm. For more information, please visit www.furphyliteraryaward.com.au

Growing our digital footprint HERE at The Adviser, we’re undergoing some changes. With the pandemic still affecting the way we all operate; The Adviser has been working through changes to our online website. You can still view all your community news for

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free, but we’re adding new features, such as our opinion pieces, to give our readers more great stories to read.

To read our first opinion piece from Peter Hill of Kreskas Bros Transport, visit www.sheppadviser.com.au/opinions

NEWS

Prep for success with GOTAFE DUE to a changing education and jobs landscape, GOTAFE is stepping up to ensure our communities are well-prepared for the future ahead.

GOTAFE has a suite of bite-sized Prep for Success webinars to make the most of your time at home.

If you are having trouble updating your resume or refining your cover letter skills, or if you are looking for your first job, these webinars will help set you on the right path.

Prep for Success webinars are hosted fortnightly and are free for the entire community to attend, not just GOTAFE students. They are designed to help polish your job-hunting skills across a range of areas, including writing compelling cover

These Prep for Success webinars are an insightful and engaging way to gain the skills required to confidently enter the workforce Travis Heeney letters, responding to key selection criteria for a job application, marketing yourself on LinkedIn, writing a fantastic resume, and nailing your job interview.

GOTAFE CEO, Travis Heeney encourages anyone who is currently transitioning their employment to consider attending one of the free webinars.

“These Prep for Success webinars are an insightful and engaging way to gain the skills required to confidently enter the workforce,” Mr Heeney explained. “We want to do everything we can to ensure our communities are adequately prepared to enter a competitive workforce.”

The Prep for Success webinars are held fortnightly, with the first commencing today Wednesday, May 27. To register your interest or to view the full details of the webinars, please visit https://www.gotafe.vic.edu.au/ whats-on/events?categories=prep-for-success

PREPARING FOR SUCCESS... GOTAFE Skills and Jobs Centre client engagement officer, Yvonne Van Den Heuval. Photo: Supplied

Collective Exhaustion - Why you are feeling it and why it’s okay

By Kaye Hanson AFTER more than 14 weeks of COVID-19 lockdowns and a pandemic, we are all feeling a little weary, and no wonder. First, we were all a little scared, unsure, worried and there is no doubt we had a reason to feel this way. Then of course, we worked from home, and perhaps still are. Some of us stayed away from the news cycle, because it was mostly the same, unfortunately it felt like the world we knew was slipping away somehow.

Now, we are seeing a bit of light at the end of the tunnel and are eagerly awaiting the time we can bust out of our cocoons and rush out into the world, but why are we so tired? After all, we have not had the daily commute, the kid’s lunchboxes or any of the other daily necessities of life, so why the exhaustion?

We possibly all feel the same, it’s what is termed a collective

exhaustion. Don’t worry, it’s normal. What can you do about it?

I wondered why last week, I felt kind of drained, that my normal pattern of my daily routine was interrupted by a somewhat overcoming feeling, not because I had watched the news cycle of COVID-19 or any other depressing news story. I had reached collective exhaustion.

“We are never turning off,” says Dr Gabrielle Francis, naturopathic doctor. “This syndrome is known as wired and tired. It can manifest as fatigue, anxiety, insomnia, overwhelm, irritability, depression and other stress relation symptoms.”

The feeling that we need to stay on top of things, and ready to tackle every issue head on can take its toll indiscriminately.

The fact that we are at home has led to increased eating of the things that are not going to assist us like snacks, lollies, cakes,

plus white rice and potatoes all are high glycaemic foods, which cause a rapid spike in blood sugar. Self-medicating in times of uncertainty will not help us.

Get offline. It’s time to put down the laptop, mobile phone and turn off the news cycle, get outside, take a long walk, get on your bike, do some yoga or just sit outside with a good book. Do what I did this week, caught up with two people, we had lunch, no phones, no laptops, a glass of champagne a nice long lunch, we laughed, cried a bit too, and talked a lot. You can do it.

Find a good book, or the dog and get outside while you can and enjoy the world. COVID-19 is not a sprint, we are in the for the long haul. Most of all take care of yourself.

The Adviser. Australia No. 1:1510 Wednesday, May 27, 2020 – Page 5

NEWS

A BEAUTIFUL HOME... Built by Alfred Leahy, Shepparton Park was considered one of the nicest houses in the area around 1873. Photos: Lost Shepparton.

Shepparton Park

By Katelyn Morse IN 1873, government surveyor, Alfred Leahy, moved to Shepparton with his wife, Ellen Leahy. He built his home and continued working as a surveyor in the area. His brick house was known as the finest in the region at the time.

The main house consisted of five rooms with a large brick cellar and pantry. There was a separate kitchen and nursery (9m x 6m), a separate office and washhouse (9m x 4m), separate stable and men’s room (9m x 4m) and a large paved courtyard. They also had a brick well that was 34m deep and a 3,500-litre elliptical reservoir that was bricked and cemented.

Originally, Knight Street formed the northern boundary of Shepparton, so Alfred THE MAN WHO SURVEYED SHEPPARTON...

Government surveyor, Alfred Leahy Leahy purchased 845 acres land directly who moved to Shepparton in 1873. north of this. This was known as ‘Shepparton Park’ and stretched from Knight Street up to Hawkins Street, as far east as Verney Road and west to Packham Street.

As some areas of Shepparton Park were subdivided into farms, the government got Leahy to survey a road from Wyndham Street, heading north to provide access to the farms. This road became the Northern Highway which is now the Goulburn Valley Highway (Numurkah Road).

Unfortunately, as Maude Street extended further north, Leahy realised his house was across the proposed extension of the street.

To fix this, he moved the main part of the house to a new site between Maude Street and Wyndham Street and had to leave the courtyard and buildings which were then sold to Mr A. C. Mason.

Years later, the Shepparton Park home had to be moved again as the land on which it was built was split up into four blocks. The house was cut into halves, moved to face Wyndham Street and re-erected.

Leahy also named a lot of the streets in Shepparton such as Ashenden Street, Maude Street and Corio Street.

Snapshots of Greater Shepparton’s Past is made possible by Lost Shepparton. For more great snapshots of the region’s history, visit Lost Shepparton’s Facebook page. You can also support the incredible work they do at www.patreon.com/lostshepparton

This was known as ‘Shepparton Park’ and stretched from Knight Street up to Hawkins Street,

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NEWS

Do you have a spare snow jacket?

By Katelyn Morse WITH temperatures continuing to drop as we head into winter, the vulnerable need our help. It’s estimated that Australia has 116,000 people who are classified as homeless, and that number is expected to rise due to COVID-19. So, what can we do to help?

Once again, XTM Performance and Anaconda have partnered up for the ‘Heat the Homeless’ appeal. This is an initiative that gets community members to donate preloved snow jackets that can be passed on to the homeless to help keep them warm during winter.

Collection points have been set up in Anaconda stores and everyone is encouraged to donate if they can. As well as snow jackets, you can donate pants and fleece jumpers. If you’re wanting to contribute to the appeal but do not have a pre-loved item of clothing to donate, you can purchase a new snow jacket from Anaconda to be put straight into the collection box.

Anaconda Shepparton store manager, Travis Senior said, “We encourage all Greater Shepparton residents to go through their closets and donate any unwanted jackets to Anaconda Shepparton to support this great cause”.

The appeal has already seen over 18,000 snow jackets donated over the past four years A WORTHY CAUSE... From left, Anaconda Shepparton store manager, Travis Senior and team member, Margie Robinson are currently accepting donations of unwanted jackets to be passed on to the homeless. Photo: Katelyn Morse.

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NEWS

Cleaning blitz underway in CBD

CLEANING IS UNDERWAY… A group of cleaners sanitise the Maude Street Mall as part of a state-wide cleaning blitz. Photo: Danielle Cox.

R EC EN T LY, you may have noticed worker s cle a n i ng a nd d i si n fe c t i ng high-traffic areas around Shepparton, Mooroopna and Tatura CBDs as part of the Victorian Government’s cleaning blitz across the state.

T h e c l e a n i n g bl it z , p a r t of t h e government’s $500 million Working for Victoria initiative, has created employment for people who have lost work as a result of the Coronavirus pandemic. The initiative is set to take place for a total of 28 days.

I n Shepparton and surrounds, Cleanaway workers have been disinfecting and wiping down external surfaces such as street benches, handrails and door handles, traffic light buttons, parking meters, poles, bicycle stands and bins.

Cleanaway cleaner, Graeme Brown said, “The response from the community so far

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has been really positive. I think people are just glad to see that the towns they live in are clean and safe.”

Greater Shepparton City Council Mayor, Cr Seema Abdullah said, “The cleaning is taking place right throughout Victoria as a state-wide measure to keep communities safe and well. This is a great initiative that builds confidence in the community as we return to more normal activities and will help ensure the spread of the virus is minimised.

“T he additional cleaning is a commitment to keeping us safe, while providing jobs to many people who need them.”

More information on Working for Victoria’s cleaning blitz can be found here: https://www.premier.vic.gov.au/cleaningblitz-creates-jobs-keeps-communities-safe/

The Adviser. Australia No. 1:1510 Wednesday, May 27, 2020 – Page 11

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NEWS

Welcome news with return to school we will soon see heightened activity as our new school buildings begin to take shape Genevieve Simson STUDENTS and staff of Greater Shepparton Secondary College (GSSC) welcome the return to school this week for our Year 11 and 12 students, and from June 9 for Years 7 to 10.

“Our current Year 10 and younger students also return with the exciting prospect of knowing they will spend their final year at GSSC enjoying brand new classrooms and cutting-edge learning spaces,” executive principal, Genevieve Simson said.

“If you’re in Year 5 and headed to GSSC, you will never know anything but bright, modern and impressive secondary school surroundings.”

The certainty follows last week’s announcement from the Victorian Government to fully fund Greater Shepparton Secondary College with $119 million to complete construction of world-class secondary school facilities by 2022.

In the interim, the community will benefit from the continuing building activity at the old Shepparton High School site.

“With demolition and underground services almost

complete, we will soon see heightened activity as our new school buildings begin to take shape,” Ms Simson said.

“At the peak of construction hundreds of workers will be on site – most of them tradespeople and other professionals from the local community.”

Features of the new build include: • An Enterprise and Innovation Centre, providing a central heart for the school and a welcome centre for the broader community • Specialist arts, science, hospitality and technology spaces, as well as dedicated areas for physical education, health and wellbeing • Three neighbourhood buildings, each featuring three Houses, providing more intimate and inclusive “schools within a school” settings for students • The neighbourhood buildings, each have a learning resource centre, canteen and atrium • A performing arts space to showcase student talents • Dedicated indoor and outdoor sport and recreation facilities “Our remaining campuses of Mooroopna, McGuire and Wanganui continue to serve us well, but all are many decades old and showing their age.

“As we did with Shepparton High, we will retain important heritage and memorabilia from all our campuses for eventual display and safe keeping,” Ms Simson said.

The original 1909 Shepparton High School building is being retained and incorporated into the new school development.

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KEEN TO SEE THE NEW SCHOOL COMPLETE... Executive principal of Greater Shepparton Secondary College, Genevieve Simson is looking forward to the completion of construction of the new school. Photo: supplied

NEWS

Building works will bring more jobs to Shepparton AS we face the biggest economic challenge in generations, and as industry and business find new and innovative ways to adapt, the Victorian Government is playing its part to drive new economic activity – and with it, creating new jobs across the state.

Member for Northern Victoria, Mark Gepp MP today announced the local projects that will be prioritised from the first part of the Victorian Government $2.7B Building Works package – supporting local jobs and driving more investment into the region.

Projects across the Shepparton region to benefit include Greater Shepparton Secondary College with $119 million and Barmah National Park joint management implementation plan.

Mark Gepp said, “Yorta Yorta Traditional Owners and the local community will benefit from $5.75 million to commence implementation of the Barmah National Park joint management plan. The plan will ensure the voices of Yorta Yorta Traditional Owners are central in conserving the park’s environment and cultural values, while supporting local jobs and the local economy.”

The government Building Works package

NEW JOBS FROM GOVERNMENT INITIATIVE… Member for Northern Victoria, Mark Gepp talks up jobs from construction projects. Photo: Supplied.

is anticipated to create hundreds of local jobs for construction workers, painters, plasterers, gardeners, engineers, plumbers, electricians, carpenters, maintenance workers, administration staff and many others. More jobs will be created across supply chains, including manufacturing, logistics, transportation, warehousing and retail – while also pumping extra dollars back into the economy.

Missing millions

WE all have a habit, well some of us do anyway, of salting away money into different things and then forgetting all about it. Luckily, the State Government takes charge For a small number of people in the Shepparton region, there is almost $1 million waiting to be claimed from lost wages, rental bonds and share dividends.

The latest data shows the State Revenue Office has more than a million unclaimed entitlements across Victoria, ranging from as little as $20 all the way up to $994,994 – the biggest single entitlement – which is owed to a Mulgrave woman.

In Shepparton, a total of $814,000 is ready to be collected, which includes three

entitlements worth about $8,000 each for three Violet Town residents.

A man in Byrneside has 23 separate entitlements in his name, for a total of about $3,600.

Sheppar ton currently has 7, 290 individual entitlements registered for areas including Mooroopna ($81,666), Tatura ($57,156), Rushworth ($20,064) and Kyabram ($61,582).

Much to my dismay, there is nothing being held for me but there might be for you. There is no time limit to claiming held money, which can be searched via sro.vic. gov.au/unclaimedmoney.

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NEWS

SUPPORT LOCAL... From left, Shepparton Auski staff, Ebony Smith and Macy Barzen showing off some of the latest fashion available in store. Photo: Supplied.

DISCLAIMER: This photo was taken before any social distancing rules were put in place due to COVID-19.

Community support strong for local surf and ski store IN uncertain times, the people of Greater Shepparton always seem to step up and do all they can to support those in need.

At Shepparton Auski (formerly Wayne Ritchies), t h e s up p o r t f r o m t h e communit y has been constant throughout the whole pandemic, which ow ner, N ei l R itch ie is extremely grateful for. “ We’ve s e e n ou r skateboard sales double and every day we have people coming in and supporting us. It’s been amazing to see.” Neil said.

And with a huge range of surf, ski, snow and skate gear, you’ll have no trouble finding something to keep the whole family warm this winter.

“We’re expected to have a very cold winter, which we haven’t had in a long

time. So, now’s the perfect time to pop in and get your winter wardrobe sorted.

“And once the snow and ski fields are open, come and see us and we’ll get you ready to hit those slopes,” Neil said.

With a large range of your favourite brands such as W NDRR, RVC A , C h a m p i o n , Wrangler, Lee, Thrills a nd more , head i nto Shepparton Auski and let the friendly team help you find your winter wardrobe.

Neil Ritchie Auski is open from 10am to 5pm Monday to Friday, 10am to 4pm Saturdays and 10am to 3pm Sundays. Visit the team at 79 High Street, Shepparton (next to Target), call 5821 8211 or shop online at www.auski.com.au.

We’ve seen our skateboard sales double and every day we have people coming in and supporting us.

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NEWS

A vibrant learning environment We look forward to resuming our 2020 face to face learning and inviting the constant energy, enthusiasm and busyness of our college community Matt Carver OFFERING a rich and diverse learning environment, St Mary of the Angels Secondary College is a vibrant and welcoming college community that aims to develop the whole person where all aspects of students’ spiritual, intellectual social, emotional and physical pursuits are nurtured. The college is underpinned by the teachings of Christ and the Franciscan values of justice, peace, joy and a love of creation.

St Mary of the Angels Secondary College Principal, Matt Carver said, “Our 2020 college year so far has thrown challenges at our entire community which we couldn’t have possibly anticipated. During these uncertain times, we couldn’t be prouder of how our students have enacted our SPARK values of Safe, Purposeful, Accepting, Resilient and Kind practices and we couldn’t be more thankful for how our parents have enabled this and supported students through this unprecedented time.

“Students at all levels have shown enormous strength and should be congratulated on their mature manner of navigating the online learning platform and undertaking tasks independently, persisting through the challenges we’ve all faced.

“We look forward to resuming our 2020 face to face

2020 COLLEGE LEADERS… St Mary of the Angels Secondary College 2020 College Leaders from left, Luca Allen, Sophie McCracken, Nicholas Thorp and Abbey Conroy. Photo: Supplied.

DISCLAIMER: This photo was taken before any social distancing rules were put in place due to COVID-19.

learning and inviting the constant energy, enthusiasm and busyness of our college community to return in the coming weeks. Our community, which spans many, many kilometres is vibrant, life giving and unique all at the same time and we are eager to welcome everyone back on deck,” Mr Carver said.

For more information, to obtain and enrolment pack or to find out how St Mary of the Angels Secondary College can assist your child, contact the college at Chapel Street, Nathalia, phone 5866 2222 or visit www.smotanathalia. catholic.edu.au and take a virtual tour of the college.

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NEWS

Fish stocks at risk through inter-valley trading of water continued from front page THE Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP) is currently seeking submissions (closing on 1 June) to help understand how operational rules set by environmental thresholds interact with possible changes to trade rules and consider the potential implications of these changes for how water trade occurs in the future.

The Victorian Fishing Authority (VFA) currently in the early stages of constructing a fish hatchery in Kialla has expressed concerns that recent unpublished modelling by the Arthur Rylah Institute suggest a doubling of summer flows (above a baseline of 1000ML per day) down the lower Goulburn river and is likely to decrease Murray Cod recruitment by up to 30% per annum.

According to the VFA submission ten years ago, base summer flows in the lower Goulburn River ranged from 250ML to

350ML per day. Since then, environmental flows have been added to this flow and its delivery has been designed to emulate natural flows at or less than 1000ML per day over this period (around 30 gigalitres per month). Over the last few years, primarily as a result of inter-valley transfers, Goulburn River summer flows have increased from peak flows of up to 1000ML per day, up to 3000ML per day.

Not only is this increased flow damaging fish stock due to the unseasonably high flow, it has contributed towards severe degradation to the river in the region of the Barmah choke.

The IVT flows affect not only the river health and fish stock, they are also instrumental in the elevated pricing and lack of availability of irrigation waters for local agricultural production along the waterways.

Recently the Victorian Government announced IVT deliveries would be limited

to 50GL a month from December to April to help reduce environmental damage to the lower Goulburn River caused by high IVT deliveries during 2017-18 and 2018-19.

The Murray Darling Basin Authority (MDBA) has placed an order for 50GL to be delivered from the Goulburn. The MDBA order will see flows in Goulburn River increase from the current IVT rate of 1300ML per day to an average of 1700ML per day.

Goulburn Broken Catchment Management Authority (CMA) has asked the IVT flows are delivered at a variable rate to limit environmental damage to the Goulburn River.

“We’d prefer to maintain the flow around 1000ML per day to give bank vegetation a chance to grow and spread and provide valuable habitat for bugs and small fish,” Goulburn Broken CMA CEO, Chris Norman said.

Chamber meets with Damian Drum over Mall redevelopment continued from front page ACCORDING to Chamber president, John Anderson, meeting with each of the available traders gave forth an overwhelming response to the Chamber’s suggestions for the Mall as

opposed to the current Council proposal.

Local Member for Nicholls, Damian Drum met with representatives from the Chamber to consider their proposal. “Anyone who has significant interest in the wellbeing of the Shepparton CBD will be concerned that there are too many vacancies,” said Mr Drum. “I am keen to assist the Council in trying to reinvigorate the CBD as I am increasingly concerned that the existing plan on the table does not have the support of the traders. I am therefore urging Council to continue consulting with the traders and the Chamber of Commerce to reach an amicable agreement on what will do that.”

Traders in the Mall were also encouraged to respond to the Council online survey which has since closed, with comments.

The Chamber proposal calls for opening the Mall up to a one-way road in the centre creating some parking spaces along the route.

Shane Sali, a trader in the Mall wants the Mall to be much like the vibe that exists in Fryer Street. Similarly, their proposal seeks to retain the existing trees which in the Council plan many would be removed with new plantings to

align with the plan layout.

“The traders we spoke to as well as the landowners were all supportive of the Chamber’s proposal,” said John Anderson. “ ADDITIONAL KEY POINTS THE CHAMBER WOULD LIKE MODIFIED TO THE CURRENT PLAN ARE: • Create a Town Square in the Fraser Street area near the Telstra Tower for families and the elderly. This would give the opportunity to relocate the Entertainment Space outside (Harris Scarfe) to the created passive space near the recently renovated amenities near the Telstra Tower.

• The passives spaces could go from East to West from outside Village Cinemas in Stewart Street through to Fraser and Wyndham Streets, ideal for interest groups, organisations and families to congregate.

• Provide clear walkways along shop fronts with simplified streetscape for business flexibility, particularly during the redevelopment phase and beyond.

• Retain the trees for a natural canopy.

• Unclutter the current design, which may allow considerably less ongoing maintenance.

MEETING OF MINDS IN REINVIGORATING THE MALL... Local Member for Nichols, Damian Drum meets with Shepparton Chamber of Commerce and Industry president, John Anderson and Chamber CBD subcommittee member, Wendy Crow to look over their plans for the Mall. Photo: Steve Hutcheson

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LETTERS

OPINION

Letters to the Editor RIGHTS TO PROMISED WATER

Dear Editor I rrigators have been shor tchanged with promised ‘water savings’ under the Foodbowl Modernisation Project (FBMP).

At every turn irrigators have lost their right to promised water savings.

The first stage of modernisation was to deliver 225GL of savings each and every year that the system ran. The Plug The Pipe organisation constantly informed government authorities that this volume of ‘new water’ or savings could not be found, and this has proved to be true with 225GL from Stage 1 not being found in any year.

The savings were to be split evenly 3 ways-75GL to Melbourne Water via the North-South Pipeline, 75GL to the environment and 75GL to irrigators and this water was to be high security water.

In a letter from Premier Bracks to VFF president Simon Ramsay it is stated: “Irrigators share of water savings from Stage 1 of the project and any subsequent water savings will be accrued as additional water entitlement for irrigators in the form of a water share. Irrigators share of savings will be issued as additional high reliability water shares as the system is modernised.”

Minister Brumby also stated that. “The FBMP will result in an extra 75GL of new high security water for farmers every year.”

On the day that the Foodbowl project was released, GMW was told that instead of being required to contribute $30 million, this would increase to $100 million and would need to be sourced by increased customer pricing.

As GMW and its irrigator customers did not have the ability to put up $100 million, for the project to proceed, irrigators had to forego the right to their 75GL share each year until the end of Stage 1 modernisation.

Without discussion with irrigators Stage 1 modernisation was extended from 2013 to 2018.

It is now 10 years since Melbourne Water Corporations started receiving their onethird share each and every year, with the environment one-third share commencing in 2011. Yet DELW P have informed GMID Water Services Committee chairs and deputies that irrigators one-third share entitlements will not be finalised until 2023.

The total actual water savings realised f r o m 2 0 0 8 -2 0 0 9 t o 2 018 -2 01 9 i s 915GL, which has been shared between the environment and Melbourne water corporations. Irrigators were promised t hei r one -t h i rd sha re 4 yea rs a f ter commencement of Stage 1 modernisation, but have been denied any water savings throughout the driest period in our history.

Not only have irrigators had their share of savings withheld for years, they are now being told that they will NOT receive 75GL of high security water, but only 61 GL high security and 28GL low reliability water.

The truth of the matter is that the 225GL of promised water savings each year the system runs has proved to be unachievable, and all irrigators know that the 28GL low reliability water is ‘blue sky’ or ghost water, as there has not been an allocation of low reliability water since 1997.

To obtain the $1billion funding for Stage 2 of the Connections program, t h e C o m m o nwe a lt h a nd V i c to r i a n Governments in 2011 decided they would remove the requirement for irrigators to cont ribute $20 0m illion a nd i nstead relinquish their 50% share of water savings (102GL). These savings were sold by the Victorian Government to the Commonwealth Government for in excess of $219million.

T he Victorian G overn ment should honour its promise that irrigators will receive 75GL of high reliability water entitlements. How can irrigators have any faith or trust in successive governments which have dishonoured their promise?

The Government must also publicly

We welcome Letters to the Editor but they are not guaranteed to be included and may be edited for reasons of style or content. Letters will not be eligible for consideration if they contain defamatory material, or information of a personal nature which is not in the public domain. admit they were wrong in that there has been a constant and significant, serious shortfall in Foodbowl modernisation water savings projects.

Yours sincerely, Jan Beer Cheviot Hills, Yea VIC 3717

WATER MINISTER LACKS UNDERSTANDING Dear Editor I am so lucky to still have a working laptop. As I watched the webinars this week featuring our new Minister for Water, Keith Pitt trying to answer questions about the Murray-Darling Basin Plan, I felt like throwing a brick at it. Fortunately, I contained my anger.

However, the webinar from Mr Pitt and another with the Basin’s Inspector-General, Mick Keelty highlighted some of the issues which somehow need to be addressed.

Firstly, it was obvious that Mr Pitt is sadly lacking in knowledge of his new portfolio. This is not surprising, as he is gaining this (lack of) knowledge from his department’s bureaucrats and their mates at the Murray-Darling Basin Authority.

I’m sure these Canberra-based public servants have more university degrees than you can jump over, but how many have lived and breathed the vagaries of actually managing our limited water? This is something every food and fibre producer must do every single day.

In my part of the world, southern NSW, we don’t get much water and we get even less say in how it is managed.

First, we were told a ‘Basin Plan’ was needed to protect the environment and provide everyone with a fair share of our limited water.

Then a plan was developed by our bureaucrats with preconceived agendas, which led to some false modelling and assumptions. On the ground the Basin Plan

has led to serious unintended consequences, so we have a plan which is at odds with providing the ‘fairness’ or ‘balance’ that we were promised in the 2007 Water Act. Now, instead of ‘saving’ the Murray River we have turned it into a drainage channel for the vast quantities of water which the ‘plan’ determined were needed for South Australia, exacerbated by uncontrolled downstream plantings that also require vast quantities.

So what are we left with?

1. We have a Federal Environment M i n i s t e r w h o wo n’t c a l l o u t t h e env i ron ment a l d a m age i n her ow n electorate or do anything to fix our water woes, despite all the ranting before last year’s election.

2. We have a Federal Water Minister who doesn’t seem to know much about what’s going on in his portfolio.

3. We have the M DBA (which the government has been told numerous times needs to be split up, including by its own Productivity Commission) which won’t acknowledge there’s a problem, probably because that would further highlight its own failings.

So I listen to the webinars and almost scream in anger and frustration at our political system which forces farmers off the land, hurts struggling rural communities and damages our precious environment.

This is all led by a Water Minister who lacks understanding of the issues, but as yet has barely been sighted by anyone who is directly affected by his government’s lack of empathy to myself and fellow food and fibre producers.

My laptop is so lucky it didn’t wear a brick.

Yours sincerely, Darcy Hare, Wakool, NSW Want to have your say?

Email your letters to the editor to editorial@sheppartonadviser.com.au

The Adviser. Australia No. 1:1510 Wednesday, May 27, 2020 – Page 19

We all have

our demons DEMONS CAN BE YELLOW... Wendy Kennett’s Dodge Demon 340 includes a passenger seat to disguise its dragster origins. Photo: Wendy Kennett

Some just go faster IN the era of muscle cars, American manufacturers were creating new and more exciting models year on year. Cars like the Charger, Challenger and Daytona all catapulted into fame as the Mopar muscle cars of the era. Hidden among them but not unnoticed was the unique Dodge Dart Demon.

Wendy and A ndrew Kennett from K atand ra West pu rchased thei r V8 Demon to celebrate their 25th wedding anniversary.

Equipped with a 275hp 340ci engine, the Demon gave its big block-equipped competitors a run for their money thanks to the model’s lower body weight giving it great performance, often as a dragster.

Introduced in two levels, the Demon came with either a 198ci slant-six or a 340ci V8. The larger of the two engines went hand in hand with the Demon 340 moniker, complete with cartoon devil and

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trident decals on the car.

The 340ci engine featured a hot cam, hydraulic lifters, and a 10.5:1 compression ratio. And although it wasn’t of the big block variety like many competitors were equipping their vehicles with, it certainly gave any competitor a run for its money with the car weighing in at just 3,165lbs.

The 1971 Demon 340 was equipped w it h a s y n c h ron i s e d f lo or - sh i f t e d 3 - speed ma nual t ra nsm ission , dual exhaust, all-wheel drum brakes, a SureGrip differential, and wide-tread bias belted GT tyres wrapped around 14-inch wheels. A special high-performance Rallye suspension was also standard equipment on the Demon 340, featuring heavy duty torsion bars and a stabliser bar in the front, as well as springs, oversized shock absorbers and anti-sway bar in the rear.

The Demon also had the option of bucket seats which the Kennett car has.

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