Just sayin’...

By Donna Kelly

IHAD a nice compliment this week. The Powercor PR guy said my column in the last edition was the best power outage story he had read. Even showed it to his boss.

We were chatting because there was another power outage last Wednesday, planned for 9.15am to 3pm. We knew about it coming up for about a month so were ready. Sort of. For some reason I thought it was from 9.30am so really shouldn't have put that shampoo in my hair while having a shower at 9.14am. Oh well. It's going to be super squeaky clean by the afternoon. (For us, no power = no pump = no water.)

Oh, I even had bottles of water in the bathroom. Mostly to wash our hands but also, you know, you can fill the cistern if you really need one more flush.

Anyway, the day went past, slowly. It was a bit annoying because this edition is our ChillOut edition and our biggest of the year. So we really wanted to get things done. But it was planned so what can you do?

Mind you as the clock hit 3.30pm I started to get a little antsy. I might have posted something on social media and one person wrote back to say the times were just an indication. Hmmm. If I was Powercor I would have put a later time and then if the power comes on sooner, win-win. Not the other way around.

I also emailed the PR bloke who called back straight away. He was very nice, made the nice comment about my column and said he would call back, which he did, just as the power came back on at 4pm. So all good. And if you are reading this it means The Local came out in a timely manner too.

We are looking forward to ChillOut. We don't go to many events but we are usually in the parade which is always a lot of fun but a bit strange. Sitting in the passenger seat waving to crowds always feels a bit like royalty. I find myself wondering if I have the wave right - too much, too little.

Last year the crowds went absolutely mad for us. They cheered and clapped and were really showing their support. It was so lovely until I realised it was all for Hepburn Shire Citizen of the Year Danny Moynihan, who was on the back of the ute. Danny is a long time ChillOut volunteer, as is his daughter Natalie and I am sure one day, grand-daughter Wynter. They are like real ChillOut royalty.

But we are back this year, with a twist, thanks to a lovely bloke called Tom. You will have to wait and see but feel free to give us a wave. We will be handing out The Local - and if you can find one unsigned by Jon Barrell it will be worth a fortune. That's an inside joke.

Another funny one with Jon, who has hung up his stethoscope after 36 years, is that he came out to TL HQ for a chat about his work and retirement plans. That's not the funny bit. We did the interview and then I went and found Kyle to take a photo. Kyle comes out, says g'day and then: "Well Jon, your photo appointment is 2.50pm (which it was) and I'll be with you in half an hour." We all laughed and laughed. It is a great read and with terrific photos of Jon away from GP work. This edition is the biggest we have done for three years I think. It's 80 pages, only because our printer can't do bigger than that. But it seems like so much is coming back after stupid Covid. And that is fantastic. We have actually reinstated our Out & About section and dine reviews are back, the gig guide is really happening (thanks Darren) and there are plenty of things to do and see.

We worked really hard over the past three years to keep the community connected and will continue to do that - and keep prices affordable so even small businesses can advertise big. I hope you enjoy this edition as much as we did. Just sayin'...

Ageing DisGracefully members, including Max Primmer, get together at the Daylesford Mill Markets cafe on Thursdays at 11am. All welcome. For information email ageingdis3461@gmail. com, call 0427 131 249 or head to the Ageing DisGracefully Facebook page.

Ageing DisGracefully is an initiative of Hepburn House.

Here is the crossword solution for Edition 273. How did you go?

All words in the crossword appear somewhere in the same edition of The Local.

Proposal to declare and levy a special charge for households who have participated in the Solar Savers program

In accordance with the provisions of the Local Government Act 1989 (Act) notice, it is hereby given that Hepburn Shire Council (Council) at its meeting on 21 February 2023 resolved to give notice of the intention to declare and levy a special charge under Section 163 of the Act.

The special charge is for the purpose of defraying the expenses incurred by council relating to the provision of solar energy systems of residential properties participating in the Solar Savers scheme (Scheme). These residential properties have signed an agreement based on the quoted cost of the provision of a solar energy system at their property. The Scheme arises out of Council’s function of advocating and promoting proposals which are in the best interests of the community, the environment, and the local economy.

A copy of the proposed declaration, known as ‘Proposed Special Charge Scheme for Solar Savers Program’ is available for inspection at Council Offices at 10 Duke St Daylesford during normal office hours until 5pm on 22 March 2023.

The special charge is to be declared in relation to the properties listed in Appendix A to the report titled Proposed Special Charge scheme for Solar Saver Program, considered by Council at its ordinary meeting on 18 April 2023. A copy of the appendix forms part of the documents available for inspection at Council offices.

The Scheme has been prepared on the basis that the participating property owners will receive 100% of the benefit. The total cost of the scheme is $85,854.30 GST-exclusive, and a special charge will be imposed on each property participating in the Scheme in respect of which a Householder Agreement has been executed applies for a period of 8 years from 31 October 2023. The special charge will be calculated by reference to the site of the solar energy system being installed and the particular costs of installation at each property. The special charge will be Ievied by notice forwarded to the property owner(s). Council will, by request, allow payment of the special charge by either full payment in a single lump sum or by quarterly instalments over 8 years, with the first payment due from 31 October 2023.

Any person may make a submission under Section 223 of the Act in relation to Council’s proposal to declare the special charge under Section 163 of the Act. Any person who has made a written submission may also request that they (or a person acting on their behalf) be heard in support of their written submission. Such persons should indicate in their submission if they wish to be heard by council. Council will consider and, if requested, hear support for all written submissions received before 5pm on 22 March 2023 at a Hearing of Submissions meeting in May 2023 to be convened if required.

Submissions should be addressed to:

Sustainability & Climate Resilience Coordinator

Hepburn Shire Council

PO Box 21 Daylesford Victoria 3460

In addition to the right to make a Submission, participating property owners have the right to object to the proposed declaration in accordance with Section I63B of the Act. Such persons may object in writing to Council by 5pm on 22 March 2023 by sending their objection to the above address. It is stressed that any submission should clearly state if the author wishes to be heard by Council, and whether the submission is a submission of support or comment only, or a formal Objection to the scheme as proposed.

It is proposed that Council will consider this matter at its Ordinary Meeting of 18 April 2023. Further information on this Scheme may be obtained by contacting the Sustainability & Climate Resilience Coordinator on 03 5321 6465.

Chillout Festival 2023

SATURDAY 11 MARCH 2023

A section of Raglan Street in front of Blake Family Grocers will be closed to traffic from 9.30am to 4.30pm.

SUNDAY 12 MARCH 2023 - STREET PARADE

The street parade will take place on Sunday 12 March 2023. The parade will commence in Vincent Street Daylesford at 10.00am.

Road Closures

To facilitate the safe conduct of this event, the following road closures and detours will be in place:

• Vincent Street (between Central Springs Road and Midland Highway), 6am – 12.00pm, and Vincent Street extension (between Raglan Street and Stanbridge Street), 9.30am – 12.00pm

• Duke Street (between Albert Street and Stanbridge Street), 9.30am –12.00pm

• Central Springs Road (between Duke and Bridport Streets), 9.30am –12.00pm.

CARNIVALE

Carnivale will take place at Victoria Park on Sunday 12 March. Please note there will be no access for user groups and the general public unless they are attending the event. Access to the caravan park will be permitted. More information at https://chilloutfestival.com.au/

We hope to see you there.