LARGEST READERSHIP OF ANY LOCAL NEWSPAPER IN MURRINDINDI SHIRE
The Local Paper FREE Local and Independent. Not associated with any other publication in this area.
Phone: 5797 2656 or 1800 231 311.
Fax: 1800 231 312.
www.LocalPaper.com.au
‘The Local Paper’ is published by Yea Ne wspapers, a division of Local Media Pty Ltd
WEDNESDAY, MAY 25, 2016
Local Government officials confirm that Murrindindi Shire Council matter is
UNDER INVESTIGATION Exclusive to ‘The Local Paper’
● Cr Margaret Rae, Mayor
■ The Victorian State Government has confirmed that a matter concerning Murrindindi Shire Council is under investigation by the Local Government Inspectorate. State Government spokeswoman Sonia Heath told The Local Paper that a matter relating to Murrindindi Council is under investigation, but that no further public comment will be made. Ms Heath declined to specify the nature of the investigation. Murrindindi Mayor Cr Margaret Rae and Chief Executive Officer
Margaret Abbey earlier declined to make comment to The Local Paper, when the newspaper first raised the issue on April 21. The Local Paper asked of Cr Rae and Ms Abbey: “Is the Murrindindi Shire Council, or its officers, aware of any investigation being carried out on it by the Local Government Inspectorate?” The Council’s official reply on April 22 was: “You will need to refer any inquiries to the Local Government Inspectorate for comment.” More details on Page 5
● Margaret Abbey, Shire CEO
$3 MIL. BUDGET BLOWOUT Footy back on Saturday
■ Football and netball return this Saturday (May 28) after a general bye last weekend in the Yarra Ranges, Northern, Seymour and Riddell Leagues. Seymour and District Junior Football League was also hit by the general bye. Yea, second on the Division 2 ladder, will travel to Alexandra for Round 7 in the AFL Yarra Ranges League. Kinglake will journey to Thornton-Eildon. Yarra Glen has the bye. In Division One of the Northern Football League, Whittlesea will play away against secondplaced Macleod. Yea has an away match at Seymour in the Sunday juniors competition (Seymour District Junior Football League). In other competitions, Broadford travels to Lancefield (Riddell League); Seymour goes to Shepparton (Goulburn Valley); and Mansfield will do battle at Mooroopna.
■ Murrindindi Shire expects its year’s deficit to blow-out from $1.6 million to almost $3 million, according to a report due to be delivered to the Council meeting tonight (Wed.). According to the income statement prepared for Councillors, the original budget anticipated a deficit of $1,614,318.
LOSS LOOKS LIKELY TO DOUBLE
The revised budgeted loss figure is $2,951,108. The Income Statement for the period ended March 31 says total revenue is now expected to fall short of $31,036,863. The revised revenue figure is $30,658,957. The revised rates and charges revenue figure is expected to be $18,299.635, representing 59 per cent of the total revenue figure. The remainder of revenue is expected to come from special charges, statutory fees and fines, user fines, grants, contributions and reimbursements. Employee benefits are anticipated to increase from the original budget figure of $12,948,727 to $13,242,266 - an unexpected 2.2 per cent increase.
● Murrindindi Shire Council’s offices in Alexandra An ‘alternative format’ of the in- charge a 5.4 per cent increase to come statement (‘underlying opera- ratepayers. tional result format’) puts the underMany Murrindindi Shire ratepaylying deficit for the period ended ers are voicing strong objections to March 31, at $6,259,513. the Council’s management. This deficit is more than double the A 1000-name petition against the original budget figure of $2,995,247. rate increases was due to be presented The Council’s inability to balance in State Parliament yesterday (Tues.) its annual budget, comes as it applies by Eildon MLA Cindy McLeish. to the Essential Services Commission A protest rally, calling for the resto be exempted from the Victorian ignations of the Council CEO, Mayor Government’s 2.5 per cent rates cap. and Councillors, is due to be held in Instead, the Council wants to Yea on Friday next week (June 3).
Local Paper expands
■ Due to popular demand, The Local Paper is further expanding its free distribution network. From this week, free copies of The Local Paper will be available at outlets at Alexandra, Molesworth and Yarck. The newspaper is already widely circulated in Yea, Kinglake, Flowerdale, Glenburn, Whittlesea, as well as the Yarra Valley, Plenty Valley and Diamond Valley. Total print run exceeds 2400 copies. Plus, more than 1000 unique users access the newspaper at www.LocalPaper.com.au on publication day. The added outlets are at: ■ Alexandra Newsagency. 82-84 Grant St ■ Alexandra: I. & M. Simpson and Son (Caltex). 25 Aitken St. ■ Molesworth: Hungry Horse Hotel. 4364 Goulburn Valley Hwy. ■ Molesworth Store. Goulburn Valley Hwy. ■ Yarck General Store. 6595 Maroondah Hwy.
MELBA HWY BARRIER SAVES LIFE - PAGE 3