EDUCATION SUCCESS

We’re beginning to make some headway with the development of a 10-year Education Plan to transform how we approach school-based learning in the district.

The Shepparton Education Plan will cater for children from the age of 0 to 18.

Community consultation has been taking place during the past month across a range of mediums including online. A public forum was also held in Shepparton last night.

Thank you to all those who have contributed – your ideas and feedback will help carry us forward in our endeavour to improve education outcomes for our children and young people.

BEDS FOR OUR KIDS

Last week in Parliament I asked Health Minister Jill Hennessy to provide clarity around the number of paediatric beds that would be available for our local children in the new Goulburn Valley Health hospital.

She has assured me the redevelopment will include not only the 12 beds currently funded and a special care nursery but also dedicated spaces in emergency and recovery to cater for paediatric patients.

She said the hospital will also be able to meet – and possibly exceed – the current surge capacity for 26 children in a crisis situation.

WATER AGENDA

Our Goulburn Murray Irrigation District Water Leadership Forum was initially heartened to see some of the outcomes of the Murray Darling Basin Ministerial Council meeting held this month. The commitment to no more buybacks continues as does the intention to deliver environmental benefits without the need to remove further water from the consumptive pool to achieve the 2750Gl.

However at every turn another concern arises and now we are confronted with the troubling advocacy by the Wentworth Group. It is also not yet clear the extent to which the current socio-economic review will consult with our group and local communities before it reports back to the Federal Government in December. We will continue to lobby the Victorian Water Minister on these issues.