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New Councillor Group for PUGRC

We're pleased to have the following Councillors joining the PUGRC: Baw Baw - Cr Joe Gauci, Mayor and Cr Mikaela Power, Deputy Mayor Golden Plains - Cr Des Phelan, Mayor Macedon Ranges - Cr Natasha Gayfer and Cr Jennifer Anderson, Mayor (proxy) Moorabool - Cr David Edwards, Mayor and Cr John Keogh (proxy) Murrindindi - Cr Rebecca Bowles Surf Coast …

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Living Library Funds Open

Councils and library corporations across Victoria can now apply for part of $4.5 million of State Government funding under the Living Library Infrastructure Program. Grants of up to $750,000 are available to fund new, renovated or refurbished library buildings, or to go towards a mobile library. Applications close on 16 December.

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VIC Health Indicators Survey Released

VicHealth has released major population health survey results to inform council Municipal Health and Wellbeing plans currently being developed. The VicHealth Indicators Survey 2015 interviewed almost 23,000 people from across the state, including respondents from each of Victoria’s 79 local government areas. LGA profiles, with localised health and wellbeing data, as well as evidence-based LGA Action Guides, have been provided …

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Discussion Paper for automated vehicle trials

The National Transport Commission (NTC) has released a discussion paper, National guidelines for automated vehicle trials, calling for input into the key elements needed to support automated vehicle trials. Developing a single and nationally-agreed set of guidelines will help promote Australia as a test bed for automated vehicles by providing consistent conditions for trials, while at the same time encouraging …

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VC131 to remove notice and review requirements for phone towers

VC131 changes the Victoria Planning Provisions and all planning schemes by amending Clause 52.19 - Telecommunications facility, to exempt a permit application for a telecommunications facility funded (or partly funded) under the Commonwealth Government's Mobile Black Spot Programme from the notice and review requirements of the Planning and Environment Act 1987. Improvements to mobile coverage are a key priority of …

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Opposition Population Taskforce

A Liberal-Nationals Victorian Population Policy Taskforce has been announced to develop a strategy to manage Victoria’s population growth, and the opportunities and challenges that this presents. The Taskforce is Chaired by Mr Tim Smith MP and includes Liberal and National MPs, as well as experts in demography, property, planning and regional development. Visit: http://vicpopulation.com.au/

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Victorian Resources Online

Victorian Resources Online (VRO) is a gateway to a wide range of information and maps related to Victoria's soil and landscapes. It is a web resource funded through Agriculture Victoria, Department of Economic Development, Jobs, Transport and Resources.

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Value Capture Funding - Commonwealth Consultation

The Australian Government has released a discussion paper on the use of value capture as a mechanism to fund transport infrastructure in the future. The paper outlines ways in which the uplift in land values associated with major public sector infrastructure projects, such as new roads or rail projects, is captured through taxation and applied toward the cost of the …

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Fracking Ban for Victoria

The Victorian Government has introduced legislation to permanently ban all onshore unconventional gas exploration and development, including hydraulic fracturing (fracking) and coal seam gas. The Resources Legislation Amendment (Fracking Ban) Bill 2016 also proposes to extend the moratorium on conventional onshore gas exploration until June 2020, in response to concerns raised by communities about the potential environmental and health risks. …

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Transport Network Pricing - Consultation

Infrastructure Victoria has  released The road ahead, a discussion paper outlining how the introduction of a road pricing scheme could help address growing congestion on Melbourne roads. The road ahead outlines the problems with the current approach to transport pricing in Victoria, and the benefits and limitations of introducing a new road pricing regime to reduce congestion and make the …

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Launch of Victoria's 30 Year Infrastructure Strategy - Stakeholder Briefing

Infrastructure Victoria will release Victoria’s 30-year infrastructure strategy on  Friday 9 December at 9.00am. The statewide infrastructure strategy aims to tackle the challenges facing Victoria over the next 30 years.    

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New Loans Scheme for Farmers

The Australian Government has launched a new Farm Business Concessional Loans scheme. The new scheme will provide $250 million in concessional loans funding from 1 November to 30 June 2017 to assist farmers to rebuild their businesses following drought and farm gate milk price cuts. The loans are available at an initial variable concessional interest rate of 2.47 per cent for …

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