What is the sum of 19 and 59?

$250 Power Saving Bonus is extended

MORE households across Gippsland will have an opportunity to apply for the $250 Power Savings Bonus payment after the program was extended by five months. Nationals Member for Gippsland South Danny O’Brien said the extension to June 30 by the state government meant more households would be able to apply for the one-off payment, helping to cover the cost of living. "Given the state government’s poor promotion of the program last year, I wrote out to more than 9000 households across the Gippsland South electorate to ensure people knew about the program and how to apply," he said. “We were inundated with people who hadn’t heard about the program and I’m grateful to the support of many of our neighbourhood houses whom we have been working with to help hundreds of local residents apply, especially those without access to the internet. “This one-off payment of $250 can make a world of difference to households struggling to make ends meet. “I would encourage anyone who is eligible and has not yet taken up this grant offer to do so now it has been extended.” The $250 one-off rebate is accessible for Victorian electricity account holders who hold a Department of Veterans Affairs Gold Card or receive payments under one of the following concession programs:  Centrelink Pensioner Concession  JobSeeker, Youth Allowance, Austudy or Abstudy  Department of Veterans Affairs Pensioner Concession Eligible concession card holders who haven’t already made a claim are now able apply for the one-off $250 Power Savings Bonus at https://compare.energy.vic.gov.au/ until June 30, 2022.

The new Mobitrac amphibious harvester which has arrived in the Wellington Shire to help clean up a big weed problem in the Port of Sale waterways.

Photo: Contributed Weed eater hungry to help

IT'S almost five metres long, weighs more than a tonne, can move about on land, swamps and water, and is very hungry … for weeds. Meet the Mobitrac amphibious harvester, a 'weed eater' which arrived in Wellington Shire this week to help clean up a big weed problem in the Port of Sale waterways. A prolific build-up of weed, particularly in recent weeks, is making it difficult for some vessels to navigate the water. Wellington Shire Council Mayor Ian Bye said council had contracted the amphibious harvester following requests from Port of Sale users to remove the weed. "Unfortunately the weed gets caught up in rowers' oars and boat motors, which can cause damage," Cr Bye said. "It's been a particularly bad period for weed growth in the waterways in that area, so the harvester is spending the week 'eating' the weed to clear it up for users." Wellington Shire Council has taken the lead on the issue, working with the Catchment Management Authority and Gippsland Ports. Council made the decision to contract the Mobitrac in an attempt to make the Port more accessible for users. The amphibious harvester machine is able to cut and harvest aquatic weeds which are floating or submerged, as well as weeds growing on land that are encroaching on waterways. The weed is naturally occurring, and the issue of excess growth will potentially return in the future due to environmental conditions. Council is currently running a competition online to give the 'weed eater' a Wellington-specific name. Visit www.facebook.com/wellingtonshirecouncil for more details.