As part of its 2025-26 budget, council has reduced the costs associated with obtaining a footpath trading permit from $65 to $10.
“Footpath trading permits enable the Gannawarra’s various small businesses to place items on footpaths outside their businesses, including signs, merchandise and tables,” council’s acting chief executive Wade Williams said.
“Whether it is a café wanting additional space to serve customers or a clothing store looking to promote their latest collection, these permits play a key role in local businesses promoting their goods and services to residents and visitors.’’
The reduced permit fee will come into effect as current permits are renewed throughout 2025-26.
Business owners wanting more information about business-related permits available via Gannawarra Shire Council can visit www.gsc.vic.gov.au/businesspermits or phone 5450 9333.
Report shows dangerous seatbelt complacency
The Transport Accident Commission is urging all drivers and passengers to use their common sense, with new research revealing a growing number of people don’t always wear a seatbelt.
Findings from its Road Safety Monitor report showed 4.7 per cent of people admitted to travelling unrestrained as a passenger in the past 12 months.
More than 2500 people were surveyed for the report, which also found 3 per cent of respondents had driven while not wearing a seatbelt.
Regional Victorian motorists were more likely than those in the city to drive while not wearing a seatbelt (7.2 per cent vs 2.5 cent), as well as travel as a passenger unrestrained (8 per cent vs 4.9 per cent).
The TAC continues to highlight the life-saving importance of wearing seatbelts via campaigns – with an enforcement-style seatbelts campaign set to roll out.
Via its https://howsafeisyourcar.com.au/ website, the TAC also urges prospective car buyers to consider vehicles with safety features like seatbelt alert systems.
Call for seasonal firefighters
Forest Fire Management Victoria is hiring 500 seasonal firefighters in preparation for the summer bushfire season in Victoria.
These firefighters will work alongside permanent staff to respond to bushfires and conduct planned burns.
The roles offer opportunities for travel, skill development and involvement in various emergency response efforts.
Applications are open across 12 locations in the north-east, with a focus on creating a diverse and inclusive workplace.
Interested individuals can apply until July 27 for employment between October and May.
For information and to apply, visit jobs.careers.vic.gov.au/pff or call 136 186.
Investing in the next generation of local farmers
Young farmers across the region are being encouraged to apply for the 2025 Upskill and Invest Young Farmers Scholarship Program.
The program offers scholarships of up to $10,000 for early-career farmers aged between 18 and 40. This includes up to $5000 for education or training, and a further $5000 to invest directly into their farm business.
The program supports training in practical areas such as agronomy, irrigation, land management and farm business operations.
Funding can also be used for on-farm improvements, including new equipment, planning tools, professional development and innovative technologies.
Applicants must have been working in a farm business for at least three days a week over the past three months and have at least two years of on-farm experience.
Applications close at 5pm on July 23. For information or to apply, visit vic.gov.au/youngfarmers
Rural water users
Coliban Water’s 2025-26 rural season will open with a 30 per cent allocation for all licensed rural channel and pipeline customers.
It is the first time in 15 years the rural season has not opened at 100 per cent allocation, which is reflective of the region’s ongoing dry conditions.
Rural allocations are determined on the available water resource and in accordance with drought response planning.
Combined Coliban catchment storages, located near Kyneton, are holding less than this time last year.
In December, Coliban Water began pumping water from Lake Eppalock, via the Goldfields Superpipe, to help preserve levels in storages near Kyneton.
Last season 21 per cent of rural water licences were not used. Customers in this position can consider making their unused licence volumes available for temporary transfer, enabling customers to buy more allocation from others.
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