Media Releases

The Nationals member for Lowan Hugh Delahunty has welcomed the announcement that the Southern Grampians Shire Council and the Glenelg Shire Council had received funding towards the provision of Heritage Advisory Services for 2011-12.

“The Southern Grampians Shire Council received $8,000 and the Glenelg Shire Council received $14,000 with the funding being used to provide Heritage Advisory Services through the appointment of an experienced professional to:
• Provide free advice to owners of heritage places
• Assist councils with the management of heritage assets
• Promote heritage conservation in the municipality.

Mr Delahunty said advisors helped residents make appropriate decisions on restoration and development plans for heritage sites.  He said the funding was based on previous expenditure, reflecting each council’s commitment to preserving local heritage, and council supplemented the funds with a minimum $1 for $1 expenditure.

Southern Grampians was one of four councils to receive $8,000 and Glenelg Shire Council was one of 15 councils to receive the maximum funding of $14,000.  Four councils received $12,000 and 13 received between $3000 and $6000.

Planning Minister Mr Matthew Guy said the programs provided by heritage advisory services, first trialled in Maldon in 1977, had been successful in developing a positive attitude towards heritage through the provision of free heritage advice to councils, communities and owners and managers of heritage properties.

“The benefits of these services are now evident in many towns with restored heritage buildings, appropriate signage and upgraded streetscapes,” Mr Guy said.
“These services have helped people recognise the importance of early buildings, their role in our social lives and how they can enhance streetscapes and enrich our understanding of the past,” Mr Delahunty said.

The Heritage Advisors would also be used to assist councils with the development of a Municipal Heritage Strategy for their municipality, a Coalition planning commitment.

The Nationals Member for Lowan, Hugh Delahunty today announced $323,000 in Coalition Government funding to repair community facilities at Horsham and Dadswells Bridge. 

Mr Delahunty said “the Coalition Government funding to Horsham Rural City Council includes $102,300 for the St Michaels Tennis Club to relocate six tennis courts as well as $151,264 to replace the launching facility for the Wimmera River Jardwa Apex and Rowing Clubs.  The Dadswells Bridge Hall will also receive a toilet upgrade with $70,000 in funding.”

“The January 2011 floods were the worst floods in living memory in our part of the State.  Many important community facilities were damaged, and this funding is important to enable community organisations to recover and bring their facilities back into use,” Mr Delahunty said.

Deputy Premier and Minster for Regional and Rural Development Peter Ryan said the funding was part of the $30 million Floods Recovery Community Infrastructure Fund, designed to help rebuild the repair infrastructure in flood affected communities across the state.

“It has been over twelve months since Victoria was hit by flooding and the Coalition Government is continuing to support recovery efforts across the state,” Mr Ryan said.

Mr Delahunty said “It is important that we work with flood damaged communities as they continue to rebuild and recover from these devastating events.”

The Nationals Member for Lowan Hugh Delahunty has welcomed the Coalition’s legislation to guarantee the ability of shire councils to nominate another day for a public holiday in lieu of Melbourne Cup Day.

“The Liberal National Coalition is delivering on its election commitment to ensure the right of regional councils to look after the interests of everyone in their municipality following the public holiday debacle created by the Labor Party,” Mr Delahunty said.

“Councils will also be able to nominate different substitute half or full day public holidays in lieu of Melbourne Cup Day for different parts of their municipality, based on the needs of their communities.”

 “The restrictive “one size fits all” requirements imposed by Labor on Councils clearly caused confusion and disruption to businesses, schools and agricultural shows around western Victoria last year.

 “Local events such as agricultural shows and race days are important features of a district’s calendar and this legislation will allow local communities to support such events by giving them a day off work or school to attend.

“This legislation delivers another Liberal Nationals Coalition commitment to govern for all of Victoria and ensures all Victorians receive the same number of public holidays regardless of where they live,” Mr Delahunty said.