Upper Kiewa Valley Community Association

WEST KIEWA RIVER /PEBBLE BEACH TRACK  –  CLOSURE NOTICE

Unfortunately the wet weather has made it impossible for the materials necessary to complete this track extension along the West Kiewa to be brought onto site using the current access.  Consequently the materials will need to be brought on site via the existing track to Pebble Beach.  To make this possible and safe the West Kiewa track will be closed from Tuesday, 5th May until close of work on Friday, 8th May.

We realise this may be inconvenient for people who regularly use the track for exercise or recreation but it is the only way we can get the extension completed as quickly as possible.

For the safety of all users please stay off the track till it is reopened.

DELWP (Ovens) and ParksVic have notified UKVCA of the following planned undertaking next week (week beginning 4th May)…..

Wild dog trapping around Mt. Beauty/Tawonga South/Tawonga

DWELP will be setting soft leg traps on the edges of forest tracks and trails, right on the edge of town.  Some of the tracks/areas include:  Simmonds Creek Road, Simmonds Creek Track (runs from the end of Highland Court to Simmonds Creek Road), Vails Road area, Ryders Spur Track, Diggings Lane, and around some old dozer lines in the vicinity of Vails Hill, Hollands Hill and behind properties in Tawonga and Tawonga South.

NOTE:  Some of the traps will be on the very edges of these tracks.  All appropriate signage will be in place.

Please do not walk your dog off leash in these areas at this time.  If you have a dog on a leash, it is suggested you walk in the middle of the track, and not let your dog sniff at the track edges.  Last year, two domestic dogs were caught when trapping occurred in similar areas.

If you requite further information, please contact the DELWP office (Ovens) – 03 5731 1222

The following information has been supplied by Jane Zagorski from the Mount Beauty Medical Centre……………..

“NO CORONA VIRUS IN MT. BEAUTY  –  AS  FAR AS WE KNOW.

Winter approaching can mean colds and flu will become more common.  We REALLY need to know if what you are experiencing is a common cold, flu or corona virus.                    If you develop a fever, cough, sore throat, shortness of breath or achy body symptoms, please ring the Medical Centre or the hospital (on the weekends) to discuss an EARLY corona virus test.  This may be done by ‘drive through’ testing at Wodonga hospital or for those who can’t get there easily there are limited testing facilities at the Mount Beauty Hospital.  If you become very unwell and we know that you DO NOT have corona virus, we can look after you at Mount Beauty Hospital without comprimising the staff and aged care residents.  SO  –  keep doing all the right things and remember, talk to us EARLY if you have any of the above respiratory symptoms.”

Work is now progressing well on the extension of the West Kiewa River Walk track from Pebble Beach.  The contractor has specifically asked that members of the community do NOT enter the site during the work.  UKVCA will provide updates as the work progresses  but this is weather dependent. 

Many questions have been raised by the community and by regular visitors and campers of the Tawonga Caravan Park with regard to the future of the site.  DELWP (Dept. of Environment, Land, Water and Planning have given UKVCA an update of the current situation.  For more information, click on the link here…….DELWP FAQs – Tawonga CP

Further questions regarding the future of the park can be emailed to DWELP at Landadmin.hume@delwp.vic.gov.au

There have been many questions raised by the community and the many visitors who use  Tawonga Caravan Park re the future of the site.  UKVCA have been communicating with DWELP (Dept. Environment, Land, Water and Planning) and for more information click on the link here…………  DELWP FAQs – Tawonga CP

UNFORTUNATELY………

The scheduled Launch of the T.R.E.K. Community Energy Hub in the Kiewa Valley this Friday, 20th, March has had to be cancelled. 

UKVCA will notify you when this information session can be rescheduled.

UKVCA are supporting the launch of of a Community Energy Hub.  TREK (Toward.  Renewable. Energy. Kiewa) is working towards 100% renewable energy in our Valley.

Find out more at an information session on Friday, 20th March, starting at 6pm at the AUDITORIUM@informationcentre, Mt. Beauty.  Click on the  link below for more information         Community Roadshow Invitation

Forest Fire Management Victoria have supplied information on the planned burning program for the upcoming season.  At this stage, any commencement to the burning program will be a few weeks away and will require weather and fuel conditions to be suitable.

3 information sheets are attached.  Click on the blue links below to open each of them.

1.  Planned Burns Victoria Notification System.     Planned Burns Victoria info sheet
2.   FFMVic Ovens planned burn program 2020.     FFMVic Ovens planned burn program  2020
3.  Overall map of the Beechworth-Chiltern, Yackandandah, Myrtleford, Bright-Mt.             Beauty.     2020 planned burns Overall map

Continue reading →

Applications are now open for concessional loans of up to $500,000 to support small business, primary producers and non-profit organisations impacted by the Victorian bushfires.

Rural Finance will administer these loans.  Affected entities can now apply through their website:  https://www.ruralfinance.com.au/industry-programs/victorian-bushfires-2019-2020-concessional-loans.

These loans are for entities who have suffered significant damage to their assets and/or a significant loss of income as a direct result of the fires.  Funding may be used for:

•  Repairing or replacing plant or equipment or buildings
•  Purchasing livestock to replace those lost
• Paying bills, salaries, wages, rent or rates
• Buying fodder and water for livestock or produce, or transporting livestock (associated with a primary production enterprise).

You can call Rural Finance on 1800 260 425 for more information.