Front page news: July 18-24, 2007-2015
A snapshot of news from across the years
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July 20, 2007: The Alexandra Oval Reserve Committee of Management has a grand vision for the future of Ararat’s primary sporting precinct.
The committee has now completed a Strategic Business Plan aimed at effectively managing the reserve for the entire community in partnership with the Ararat Rural City Council.
The committee, which consists of 18 representatives from reserve user groups, received state government funding of $5000 under its 2007 Country Action Grant Scheme to develop the business plan.
Members represent the Ararat Football/Netball Club, Ararat Eagles Football/Netball Club, Ararat Olympic Pool, Grampians Cricket Association, Ararat Football Umpires’ Association, Ararat YMCA, Ararat Lawn Tennis Club, Ararat Rural City Council parks and gardens, Ararat Rural City Council, McGregor House and community members.
Chairperson of the committee Tim Cronin said the committee wanted to bring in as many people, representing as many groups as possible that want to be part of the overall precinct.
Mr Cronin’s ultimate vision is to see the reserve provide facilities for all of Ararat’s major sporting and recreational users.
July 20, 2010: In an unprecedented move, Ararat Rural City Council will deliberate on two draft 2010/2011 budgets at tonight’s council meeting.
Two draft budgets will be presented to Council to vote on tonight.
The first draft budget proposes a 5.9 percent rate rise, with 2.9 percent for the capital budget and 3.0 percent for the recurrent operating budget.
The second draft budget proposes a 3.0 per cent rate rise, with 2.0 percent for the capital budget and 1.0 percent for the recurrent operating budget.
The agenda for tonight’s meeting was released on Thursday night and outlines the two draft budgets.
In the report, general manager corporate services Paul Brumby said that in framing its 2010/2011 budget Council considered in depth three major themes: Recurrent operations, infrastructure renewal and new and upgraded infrastructure.
July 22, 2012: Ararat Rural City Council passed a vote of no confidence in Mayor Cr Andrea Marian on Tuesday after what was a fiery meeting in front of a packed chamber.
Cr Marian is facing charges of three counts of conflict of interest and one of misuse of position, charges which on Monday were adjourned until September in the Ararat Magistrates’ Court.
The vote of no confidence was moved by Cr Anne Marshall and seconded by Cr Gwenda Allgood.
Cr Marshall said in view of proceedings within the Magistrates’ Court and in view of many, many requests from the public she wanted the mayor’s position to be vacated.
“I think that you are going to deny the charges, and you can very well do that, but I think in view of the public perception, that your position as mayor should be vacated.”
Her comments were supported by Cr Allgood.
“While there is a cloud around what is actually happening within local government circles with yourself, you can’t represent this municipality to the best of your ability,” she said.
July 18, 2014: Ararat Rural City Mayor Cr Paul Hooper has urged the entire community to get behind Council’s support of the Renewable Energy Target scheme as it now stands, therefore ensuring the long term economic benefit to the region of a stable wind energy industry and ongoing wind farm construction.
Cr Hooper, along with the mayor of Northern Grampians Shire Kevin Erwin and Pyrenees Shire Robert Vance, in a joint letter to Prime Minister Tony Abbott, have outlined their concerns about the potential of the Renewable Energy Target scheme to be wound back and the economic impact this would have on the three municipalities.
They are seeking an urgent meeting with the prime minister’s senior energy advisor Sarah McNamara and are meeting with Victorian Senators to discuss their concerns.
At a business breakfast attended by a large number of Ararat business people, Cr Hooper urged businesses to use their networks and contacts to push the economic benefits of wind farms in the region.
Currently the 75 turbine, $450 million Ararat Wind Farm is shovel ready for construction to begin in November, however this will be delayed until a decision on the RET is made by the Federal Government and may not proceed if changes to the RET are implemented.
July 21, 2015: Premier Daniel Andrews has ruled out abandoning the new AFL Grand Final eve public holiday in regional areas.
That’s despite Ararat and Stawell business owners voicing their concerns about the impact the additional holiday could have on the two town’s economies.
Foster’s Mensland owner Graeme Foster said the holiday will undoubtedly hurt local businesses.
"I am certainly not in favour of this, it's pointless and unfeasible,” he said.
"Having a public holiday so close to Christmas is incredibly detrimental on trade for businesses in country Victoria.
"Stores based in the country will be me more affected than those in Melbourne.”
Grampians Pharmacy and Amcal Pharmacy owner Brian Hancock agreed the holiday was unnecessary.
"The Grand Final weekend public holiday will cripple local businesses, I can't see any point in having it and I see no benefits for Stawell,” he said.