Page 10 WARRAGUL AND DROUIN GAZETTE April 29 2014 City dwellers moving to Baw Baw by Catherine Watson About 10 families a week are moving into the Baw Baw Shire, boosting the local economy by more than $30 million a year. Baw Baw Shire Council statistics show that about 1000 people moved to Baw Baw last year, and 430 new dwellings were built. The council’s manager of planning and economic development, Craig Lyon, said an average family moving into a regional area such as Baw Baw was worth about $90,000 a year to the local economy. He said council staff were kept busy at a recent regional living expo in Melbourne answering questions from city dwellers interested in moving to Baw Baw. “The inquiries were very detailed and full. They weren’t tyre kickers. “They were interested in what public transport was available, the new railway precinct, the hospital. They had a very detailed knowledge. “They were very aware of the good-sized, affordable houses in Warragul and Drouin.” He said several mentioned a recent report that ranked Warragul as Australia’s fifth-most liveable regional area for families based on affordable home prices, block sizes and proximity to schools. While some people had talked about relocating their businesses to Baw Baw, others were looking to work from home as a transition to retirement. “People were not looking predominately at commuting to the city for work but bringing their skills here. “A number mentioned their occupations and wanted to know about the prospects. We pointed them to a few expanding businesses. “They want that quality of life of working close to home, rather than spending an extra three hours a day away from their families in a car or on a train.” Mr Lyon said working locally brought not just a per- Does your child have sore feet? call for an appointment today E04530 Drouin & Bunyip (03) 5625 9388 sonal benefit but also a benefit to the local economy. “It generates its own business and starts feeding other businesses.” He said the interest could take six months or a year to flow through to a move. “They were definitely ready to take it to the next phase.” Warragul real estate agent Sally Jones says her firm is already seeing a lot of buyers from the Berwick-Pakenham area. “They’re a bit over the pace of life in those areas, the mass buildings and new suburbs. “They’re buying old and new, in the town, small acres, a real mixture. “I think a lot of them take the position that Warragul is well placed for Melbourne. They like the fact you can go to the footy or a show. “And they like the country way of doing things. They feel safe here.” Ms Jones said the local schools - state and private were a real drawcard, as was a well-staffed local hospital. “How many country towns have four paediatricians? “And the West Gippsland Arts Centre. I’m staggered at the variety of shows we’re getting. Someone’s doing something right.” She said many buyers were happy to commute to the city for work. “It’s far easier to drive or catch a train from here than it is to drive from one side of the city to the other.” St Paul’s Grammar School attracts about 10 families a year from Melbourne and surrounds. Spokeswoman Caroline Jewell said affordable private schooling was a big factor for many who had relocated. “They can have a nice house here, a good school for their children and a great lifestyle.” Drouin South Primary School principal Judy Ingamells said several school families had moved from the outer suburbs, places like Cranbourne and Pakenham. “Some of them cite the ease of travelling into the city on the train. I suspect some of them have have had a first home in that area and they’ve come here to buy a bigger, more affordable second home.” She said the new families were helping to sustain the school rolls in schools such as Drouin South and Drouin west. Speaking after the regional living expo, Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional and Rural Development Peter Ryan said there was growing interest amongst Melburnians in moving to regional and rural Victoria. He said basing population in the regions greatly reduced the strain on city services and infrastructure. Enjoying afternoon tea at the Thorpdale Kindergarten to acknowledge recent grants are (from left): grants officer Jo Keily, Jake Keily, Baw Baw Shire councillor Mikaela Power and kindergarten director Brigitte Williames. Grants help Thorpdale kids prepare for school Thorpdale Kindergarten has been able to enhance its resources for developing fine motor and cognitive skills. The kindergarten received a $5325 grant from Baw Baw Shire as well as a $5000 grant from the Foundation for Rural Regional Renewal. The kindergarten recently held an afternoon tea to acknowledge both grants. The new resources will enable the kidergarten teachers to prepare the students for school. The afternoon tea was attended by Baw Baw Shire councillor Mikaela Power. Grants officer Jo Keily said without the support of such grants the kindergarten wouldn’t have been able to purchase such an extensive range of equip- ment, which was necessary to assist the teachers and children reach the desired outcome. “Fundraising is extremely vital to the kinder, as our budget doesn’t cover many necessities such as first aid replenishments, general maintenance, excursions and gardening,” she said. “We need to fundraise at least $5000 to $6000 a year, just to cover running costs and keep the kindergarten open, making it impossible to extend on much needed resources. “That’s where grants such as these make the difference to our service and we understand how lucky we are to be chosen out of many organisations that take the time apply,” she said. Baw Baw BUZ Z . . . Weekly Road Works The following road works have been scheduled across the shire this week, weather permitting. Unsealed Road Grading 5XVVHOO&UHHN5RDG+LOO(QG 7DQMLO5LYHU5RDG7DQMLO6RXWK Unsealed Road Potholing %D\OH\V5RDG7UDIDOJDU &DPS&UHHN5RDG+LOO(QG )DUUHOOV5RDG+LOOHQG :LOOLDPV5RDG+LOO(QG Pothole Patching +D]HOGHDQ5RDG<DUUDJRQ /LWWOH0RH5LYHU<DUUDJRQ :DWHUORR5RDG7UDIDOJDU Pothole Patching/Edge Repair 'DUQXP6KDG\&UHHN5RDG'DUQXP (GJDU5RDG/RQJZDUU\ /DQJ/DQJ3DUN5RDG$WKORQH 6LPSVRQ1RUWK5RDG/DUGQHU Signage and Tree Management /LOOLFR5RDG/LOOLFR 0DLQ6RXWK5RDG7RUZRRG McDonalds Track, Seaview 1DQJDUD5RDG-LQGLYLFN 2OG7HOHJUDSK5RDG-LQGLYLFN Culverts and Pit Cleaning %OXII5RDG(ULFD 2OG&RDFK5RDG(ULFD 0F/HOODQGV5RDG(ULFD Go Online: A Start-up Guide for Business Seminar When: Tuesday 6 May 2014, 6.00pm to 8.30pm Where: Meeting room, Suite 7/61 Smith Street (Upstairs), Warragul Bookings: www.business.vic.gov.au/workshops (Search event: ID11510) Cost: $20 per participant With today’s customers used to the convenience of internet shopping and many essential business services going digital, being online has never been more important. This Small Business Victoria seminar guides you through the essential VWHSVWRWDNHDGYDQWDJHRIWKHEHQH¿WVRIEHLQJRQOLQHIURPVHWWLQJXS a website to dealing with suppliers, engaging with customers via social media and putting an e-commerce framework in place. This seminar is supported by Baw Baw Shire Council and Small Business Victoria. Community Conversation – It’s Time to Talk Baw Baw When: Tuesday 20 May 2014, 7.00pm to 9.30pm Where: West Gippsland Arts Centre, Warragul 9LROHQFHDJDLQVWZRPHQFDQKDSSHQWRDQ\RQH\RXUVLVWHU\RXU daughter, your friend. Be a part of a community conversation about men’s violence against women and the impact it’s having on our community. This free event is hosted by Baw Baw Shire Council and Gippsland Women’s Health Service as part of Paving the Way - a joint initiative funded by the Gippsland Prevention of Men’s Violence Against Women Strategy. Please call 5624 2456 to reserve your seats. Pests Field Day When: Saturday 17 May, 2014, 10.00am to 2.00pm (includes BBQ lunch) Where: %ORRP¿HOG5RDG%XOQ%XOQ Springsure Hill Landcare Group invite you to come and learn how to manage rabbits, foxes and Indian Mynah Birds in your local area. Learn about appropriate baiting methods, humane live trapping and habitat PRGL¿FDWLRQ3OHDVH5693WR6SULQJVXUH+LOO/DQGFDUHVHFUHWDU\DW [email protected] www.bawbawshire.vic.gov.au Key Council Decisions At the meeting on 23 April 2014 Council: 5HDSSRLQWHG0U0LNH6DLGDVDQ independent member of the Audit Committee until 1 September 2017. 1RWHGWKHUHSRUWRQWKHLPSDFWVRI kindergarten infrastructure. $GRSWHGWKHUHFRPPHQGDWLRQQRWWR nominate the Valuer General for the completion on the 2016 valuation. 'HIHUUHGWKHPDWWHURIWKH5DZVRQ Police Station lease. &RQ¿UPHGWKDW&RXQFLOGLGQRWDJUHH to become the head lessee for the 7UDIDOJDU5DLOZD\6WDWLRQIRUWKH%DZ Baw Arts Alliance, but did support their application for use of the Station with an alternative head lessee. 5HTXHVWHGWKDWWKH3ODQQLQJ Minister undertake a Planning Scheme Amendment regarding Water Catchment Areas (ES02). 5HVROYHGWRWDEOHD1RWLFHRI0RWLRQ at the next MAV meeting regarding the need for the State Government to fully fund the SES. For more decisions view the Council Meeting Minutes on our website. Immunisation Times Saturday 3 May, 10.00am to 11.00am, Warragul Wednesday 7 May, 9.00am to 10.30am, Warragul Wednesday 14 May, 5.30pm to 6.30pm, Warragul For more times and locations visit our website or phone 5624 2411.
© Copyright 2024 ExpyDoc
