Greater Shepparton Mayor Michael Polan said the event was a major coup for Greater Shepparton.

"This is the second time we will host the event after hosting very successfully in 2010," Cr Polan said.

"More than 10 softball diamonds will be installed at the Shepparton Sports Precinct, as well as on Wanganui Park Secondary College oval and on the athletics track.

"It is fantastic for Greater Shepparton to be hosting an event such as this and continues to showcase the municipality as a major events destination providing a fantastic boost for the tourism and retail industries."

Players will be aged 35 and over and will come from Victoria, South Australia, Queensland, Tasmania and New Zealand to take part in the tournament. Within the teams there are former Victorian representative players, Australian and Olympic representatives and national and international umpires and coaches.

The 2012 Victorian Softball Masters Championships will be held from Saturday 9 June until Monday 11 June 2012 at the Shepparton Sports Precinct.

- Released 17 May

During the trial, recommended by the Shepparton Show Me committee to stimulate retail trade, all one hour bays in the CBD were increased to two hours.

A user satisfaction survey revealed an overwhelming level of support from traders and shoppers, according to Greater Shepparton City Council Mayor Michael Polan.

”Just over 80% of traders wanted the time limit change to remain, and 84% of consumers were in favour,” he said. “Interestingly, one quarter of shoppers surveyed said they found it easier to find a park, and almost half of them said that two hour parking would entice them to shop in the CBD.”

“The benefits to traders are clear,” said Cr Polan. “Shoppers can plan a longer trip into the CBD, potentially visiting more businesses each trip. We can also now allay earlier community concerns that extending the parking limits would make it harder to find a parking space.”

“Another nice side effect is that 21% of consumers surveyed indicated that they felt less stressed during their trip into the CBD.”
The increases do not apply to fifteen and thirty minute bays, and the three hour metered parking bays in Corio and Fryers Streets will be retained. Traders will be consulted about whether more 15 and thirty minute bays are required.

The user survey was conducted across 100 consumers and traders.

The program began on May 7, 2012 and residents can be confident their fridge or freezer has been safely de-gassed, and that valuable materials and resources will not go into landfill.

Fridges are the second highest energy using appliance in Australian homes, after the air conditioner, according to Council’s Team Leader in Waste Services, Mr George Bitcon. 

“Residents can easily save up to $300 a year on their energy bill by upgrading to a new fridge,” he said. “That second fridge in the garage keeping a few beers cold could be costing hundreds of dollars a year.”

Mr Bitcon hopes that the free drop off service, plus the State Government’s $100 Whitegoods Appliance Rebate available to eligible concession card holders, will encourage residents to make the switch to a new Energy Star rated unit.

Greater Shepparton Mayor Michael Polan said, “It’s rewarding to be able to offer residents a service that helps their household budget and helps the environment, too. This is another example of how Greater Shepparton City Council is working responsibly to promote a healthy environment.”

George Bitcon said that other money saving measures to put the chill on your power bill include letting cooked foods cool down before putting them in the fridge, not keeping the fridge door open too long, and keeping the coils behind the fridge clean and free of dust.

Click here for more information on how Greater Shepparton City Council is supporting the environment.

To help conserve places reflecting these themes, the amendment proposes to include additional individual places and three new precincts within the Planning Scheme’s Heritage Overlay: Central Business Precinct in Shepparton, the Macintosh Precinct (a small residential precinct) and the Tatura Township Precinct.

“The rich social and industrial history of our region provides us with a complex picture of heritage concerns,” said Greater Shepparton City Council CEO Gavin Cator said. “We are always striving to integrate that with our plan for sustainable development.”

The planning amendment has revised the external paint controls and tree controls, and introduces the Greater Shepparton Heritage Incorporated Plan to provide exemptions from planning permit requirements for minor works for properties within the Heritage Overlay.

Places of cultural heritage significance in the municipality include areas as diverse as World War II internment camps in Tatura and Murchison, graves of indigenous people, and sites of early primary and industrial development.

Greater Shepparton City Council Mayor Michael Polan said that he hoped the community would grasp the opportunity to have a say.

“This is an extremely important issue in our community, and I know many people will want to have their say,” he said. “The inclusion of these additional places of cultural heritage significance will ensure that future generations can view and appreciate them.”

The study and the proposed amendment can be viewed on the Council’s website, at Greater Shepparton City Council offices, and at Tatura Public Library. Affected stakeholders can also meet with the Council’s Heritage Advisor to discuss the proposed amendment. Submissions from members of the community will be accepted up to Friday 25 May 2012.

Attached: FACT SHEET – Historical themes in the City of Greater Shepparton, and Amendment C110 to the Greater Shepparton City Planning Scheme

Greater Shepparton City Council's Healthy Communities Coordinator Belinda Conna said Beat It classes are fun, safe and supportive.

"Combined with other physical activity, Beat It can help participants reduce the risk of diabetes and other lifestyle conditions," Ms Conna said.

"The Beat It program has been running since January, with 50 people taking part so far. Participants have started to see some really positive results including a reduction in their waist circumference, improved fitness levels and for those participants living with diabetes, they have seen improvements in their blood glucose levels.

"The program is aimed at people, who for a number of lifestyle reasons cannot participate in the workforce.

"The program consists of two weekly exercise sessions, each lasting one hour and one fortnightly lifestyle education session focusing on health and active living (including maintaining motivation, goal setting and nutrition).

"The program will also assist participants to build the life skills and confidence needed to get active.

"The program is free to participants for the next two years under Council's healthy communities program."

For more information on the Beat It program, contact Council's Leisure Facilities branch on (03) 5832 9431.

Program details:

• Wednesdays and Thursdays commencing on Wednesday 9 May 2012 at 2.00pm - Aquamoves 
• Mondays and Wednesdays commencing on Monday 14 May 2012 at 6.00pm - Aquamoves.
• Tuesdays and Thursdays commencing on Tuesday 15 May 2012 at 10.00am - Aquamoves
• Tuesdays and Thursdays commencing on Tuesday 15 May 2012 at 1.00pm - Aquamoves
• Tuesdays and Thursdays commencing on Tuesday 15 May 2012 at 2.00pm - Aquamoves
  

“But overwhelmingly, the enquiries were around employment, and I heard from engineers, transport, health and IT professionals, as well as many families who were interested in the attractive cost of living and education possibilities we enjoy.”

Geoff and David Wilson, Team Leader for Economic Development, were joined by representatives from local business in handing out materials such as the ‘Live, Work, Invest’ prospectus and DVD, local newspapers and specially developed information about employment and education. The stand, inviting visitors to “Explore the Possibilities,” featured high quality images of the region’s stunning natural environment, high quality leisure activities and other facilities.

“We will be able to keep in touch with many of these people who left their details with us,” he said. “We can share these enquiries with local businesses, to match them up with current vacancies, and of course we will follow up on the investment interest.”

People who were interested in a tree-change heard from Campbell Soup’s HR Coordinator Lauren Lilburn, who moved to the area from Melbourne in 2010. Representatives from SPCA and Goulburn Valley Health also took the opportunity to present their businesses as career opportunities.

“People were keen to tell me how they wanted to escape the ‘rat race’ and enjoy more time with their families,” said Greater Shepparton City Council Mayor Michael Polan, who attended the launch. “This has been a wonderful opportunity to showcase to them the lifestyle and opportunities they can enjoy in our region.”

“While we don’t expect a sudden influx of Melburnians, this has been a great opportunity to raise the profile of our region in the minds of people who are considering making a move to country Victoria,” he said.

"It is important to gain an understanding of the personal and financial commitment required to set up a franchise and have an awareness of the contractual, marketing and administrative arrangements you will need to consider. This workshop will help you do that and it is also a great opportunity to network with like minded people, and to learn from one another," Mr Barclay said.

"If you are interested in buying a franchise but are unsure whether it is right for you, or need to understand more about the regulations and financial obligations before you commit, this is the ideal seminar for you."

Participants will gain an understanding of the key components to consider when weighing up the pros and cons of a business franchise, and how to access information and assistance.

"You will also receive an interactive ‘Interested in Buying a Franchise workbook' packed with useful tips, links, frequently asked questions, and strategies including a list of questions to ask when evaluating a franchise," Mr Barclay said.

A voucher to attend a free session with an experienced business mentor is also included for people attending the event.

The workshop is being held on Wednesday 16 May 2012 from 6.00pm to 8.00pm at the Greater Shepparton Business Centre, 70 New Dookie Road, Shepparton.

The course cost is $20 and bookings are essential. To book, please contact Jo Rathjen at the Greater Shepparton Business Centre on (03) 5832 1100.

The following Council services will operate modified hours on Anzac Day.

• Aquamoves will be open from 1pm-5pm. No group fitness classes or learn to swim classes will run on this day.
• Shepparton Art Museum will be open from 1pm-4pm
• SPC Ardmona KidsTown playground will be open as normal; however the Cafe will be open from 12noon.
  Waste Services
• Kerbside collection will occur as normal on Wednesday
• The Shepparton and Murchison Transfer Stations will be closed
  

Considerable feedback has so far been received and has covered a range of topics including infrastructure, education and safety.

Greater Shepparton Deputy Mayor Chris Hazelman said there was still time for people to have a say.

“I encourage anyone with an interest in cycling and even those who don’t cycle to fill out the survey on our website,” Cr Hazelman said.

“We need to capture a wide range of views so we can develop a strategy which represents our whole community.”

“A lot of the feedback we have received has covered the consistent themes of infrastructure, education and safety.”

“The next stage of the project will be to develop a draft strategy to present to Council. Consultation on the draft strategy will occur in the second half of this year.”

Feedback closes on Friday 13 April.

To fill out the survey, or provide feedback, visit Council’s website www.greatershepparton.com.au

Greater Shepparton Mayor Michael Polan said the involvement of sporting clubs was the next stage of the LEAD project.

“The project so far has included a social marketing campaign as well as working within a number of settings including local workplaces and schools.  Cr Polan said.

“Council will work with sporting clubs on a number of different aspects, including auditing club policy to ensure diversity is embraced and assisting clubs to participate in diversity training

“Sporting clubs contribute to social interconnection, interaction and community cohesion and are an ideal partner for the LEAD project.

“This project will provide an opportunity for clubs to increase their membership by ensuring they are welcoming and open to all and I encourage sports clubs to submit their interest.

The LEAD project is currently searching for two sporting clubs to be involved during winter 2012; with four more clubs to be involved at the end of 2012.

LEAD is a three year pilot project developed in partnership with VicHealth, Department of Immigration and Citizenship, beyondblue, Victoria Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission, Whittlesea City Council, Greater Shepparton City Council, Municipal Association of Victoria and the University of Melbourne. 

The project aims to reduce race based discrimination and promote positive diversity.

Expressions of Interest should be submitted by 5pm, Friday 27 April 2012.

For more information, or application forms, visit Council’s website www.greatershepparton.com.au or contact Council’s LEAD Coordinator on (03) 5832 9700.