Buenos dias senor mayor By AIDAN KNIGHT LATROBE City Mayor Dale Harriman will travel to Spain next month for a conference headed by the International Urban and Regional Corporation Program (IURC), run by the European Union. The Mayor plans to represent Latrobe City and the Gippsland region at the Global Thematic Networking Workshops, held as part of the Smart City Expo World Congress 2025 from November 4 to 6. An unscheduled council meeting was called on Friday, October 10, to be held Tuesday October 14, to discuss the attendance of the mayor in Barcelona. Councillors unanimously agreed to send the mayor overseas. Mayor Harriman will travel alongside South Gippsland Shire Councillor and One Gippsland Chair Nathan Hersey. One Gippsland has been asked to lead the region’s participation in the program. The invitation was open to all mayors across Gippsland. Mayor Harriman is the only mayor from Gippsland’s six LGAs (Latrobe City, Bass, South Gippsland, Baw Baw, East Gippsland and Wellington) attending. The announcement of the unscheduled meeting drew some kneejerk criticism online, with the comments on Latrobe City Council’s Facebook page, such as “get your priorities right let’s fix here before spending money overseas”. This is the second instance mayor Harriman has made moves to stamp his passport in the name of council, after a similar unscheduled motion was held in April this year to pass a motion for the mayor to accompany the Traralgon City Band on their European Tour. A similarly toned backlash saw the mayor switch his approach to pay for the trip himself ($10,000), after council’s approved motion for ratepayers to foot the bill a month earlier earned outcry from residents. This time, he proposes that need only pay for “incidental expenses” outlying the trip, such as meals and parking, an estimated $1000 covered by council’s Support and Expenses Policy. Any flight transfers would also fall under this category. Travel, accommodation and conference costs will be paid for by the IURC. At the meeting, which was held entirely virtually, Latrobe City Chief Executive Steve Piasente was present, alongside all councillors except Boola Boola Ward Councillor David Barnes, who was an apology. As required from his conflict of interest due to the motion involving himself, once the meeting was launched, the mayor left sitting council for it to be chaired by his deputy, Newborough Ward Cr Sharon Gibson. The motion was moved by Moe Ward Cr Adele Pugsley, who proposed an alternative which was required to include details of the flight departing a day earlier than initially planned. Budgeree Ward Cr Leanne Potter seconded, and no opposition was heard. “I feel that this is a good opportunity – and value for money – for the mayor to go on this trip,” Cr Pugsley said of her support. “The expenses will be very minimal, in fact less than going interstate on some of the other trips we’ve had.” Cr Pugsley saw it as a great opportunity for council to further Latrobe Valley and learn how other countries operate in similar cities. “I would like to note that a majority of the costs are actually worn by IURC, and not Latrobe City Council, which will make it excellent value for us,” she continued, obviously addressing the outcry online. Cr Potter was quite pleased to endorse the motion as well, citing long-lasting effects to not just Latrobe City but the greater Gippsland region. She was inspired by the collaborative nature of the program “that helps cities around the world work together to solve challenges and build a better future for all of us”. “This year it’s quite exciting that Gippsland has been invited,” she went on to say, “to participate as part of the Smart Cities Expo World Congress in Barcelona, with workshops bringing together city leaders from right across the globe to exchange ideas and solutions like clean energy and sustainability, all very relevant for our region at the moment.” Cr Potter expressed her eagerness to see what the mayor’s report details upon his return, “the things he’s heard, the things he’s seen, the people he’s talked to”. Jeerlang Ward Cr Joanne Campbell pointed to the importance of mayor Harriman’s presence ensuring there are two representatives from Gippsland attending, and he can focus on topics more relevant to the Latrobe Valley (such as clean energy), while the South Gippsland Shire mayor focuses on the agricultural aspects. Yallourn Ward Cr Steph Morgan saw it as expanding council’s network in some really knowledgeable circles. “It also connects closely with the United Nations 2030 sustainability goals, which are really important,” she added. “I understand that community members may be concerned about the mayor undertaking international travel for an event that is of unknown or no benefits to Latrobe City, but with our councillor’s Support and Expenses Policy, we have good foundations for ensuring transparency in situations like this. “A written report will have to be presented at a future council meeting about what was experienced and taken from the events, and I think that allows an opportunity to share a wealth of knowledge with the community”. “I also trust that the mayor will make the most of the program to strengthen Latrobe City’s global connections,” Morwell River Ward Cr Tracie Lund said.  

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Latrobe leading an unwanted stat By BLAKE METCALF-HOLT   LATROBE Valley is topping even more unwanted categories. Last August, Latrobe City lost $4.8 million on gambling machines, making it by far the highest of any Gippsland local government area (LGA) during that period. That was the biggest monthly player loss since August, 2024 and places Latrobe City fourth highest of any country LGA in the state. In total, Gippsland tallied a total loss of $14,889,557 during August, seeing players lose on average $496,318 per day, with Latrobe City residents specifically $160,005 out of pocket per day. The next highest was East Gippsland, with a player loss of $2.9 million, followed by Wellington ($2.5 million), Baw Baw ($2.1 million), Bass Coast ($1.8 million), and South Gippsland ($723,745). There’s no real surprise that Latrobe City is that much more, with it housing 13 gambling venues and 522 electronic gaming machines, making it the fourth most of any country LGA in Victoria in terms of the amount of machines. Latrobe City has consistently ranked in the top half for net expenditure (player loss) in the state, especially over the last two financial years, and has been the fourth highest country LGA for player loss in the state both times. In the 2024/25 financial year, Latrobe City cumulated a total player loss of $50,142,644 – almost $13 million more than the next Gippsland LGA. Gippslanders in total lost $159 million over the course of that period. In the same financial year, Victorians as a whole lost more than $7.3 billion, with taxes and levies paid to the state government totalling more than $2.4 billion. In 1995, the Express reported that the number of gaming machines per 1000 people in the Latrobe Valley was almost double that of the entirety of Victoria, much is the same currently. Latrobe City has 6.6 machines per 1000 people (using the Australian Bureau of Statistics’ Estimated Resident Population), while Victoria as a whole would sit at around 3.7 per 1000 people.

LV Express: Latrobe leading an unwanted stat #News #BassCoast #BawBaw

Linton’s long run LOCAL survivor and prostate cancer advocate, Linton Blackwell is once again taking on The Long Run this month, committing to walk an astounding 400 kilometres to raise awareness and money for men affected by prostate cancer. The event, led by Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia (PCFA), encourages Australians to cover at least 72km throughout Prostate Cancer Awareness Month – a symbolic distance honouring the 72 men diagnosed with the disease each day. Mr Blackwell takes the challenge up a notch each year, and has raised more than $25,000 over the last five years, covering a total distance of 2757km for the cause. Mr Blackwell, who was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2011, also leads the Baw Baw (Warragul) Prostate Cancer Support Group, alongside his wife Pam. He planned to walk from his home in Moe to the Support Group meeting in Warragul (32km) as part of his Long Run challenge. “Taking part in The Long Run means I get to join a national campaign that’s all about ensuring more lives are saved,” he said. “Every dollar raised through this campaign helps men like me access support, and funds research into new treatments and testing options. “A lot of people think prostate cancer is only an old man’s disease which is just not the case. In our extended family alone, we’ve had seven family members diagnosed with prostate cancer, including three of my own brothers. “I encourage all men, particularly those with a family history, to talk about this disease and get a PSA test. “The earlier this disease is detected, the easier it is to beat.” To support Linton, visit: www.thelongrun.org.au and search ‘Linton’ in the search. For more information about prostate cancer and to find a local support group, call 1800 22 00 99 or visit: www.prostate.org.au  

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Don’t scoot around the issue By BLAKE METCALF-HOLT   NO matter how kids are arriving to school, it’s of utter importance they are getting there safely. Victoria Police’s Morwell Proactive Policing Unit, and in partnership with Latrobe Regional Health, have begun undertaking educational seminars at local schools surrounding the risks and responsibilities of electronic scooters and electronic bikes (e-scooters and e-bikes), due to the growing popularity of its use among young people. The first of such took place at Lavalla Catholic College’s junior campus, delivered to students Years 7 through 9, on Thursday, June 19. Inspector Sonali Deshpande, Tasking and Coordinating Eastern Region Division 5 (which covers Latrobe, Bass Coast and Baw Baw) said that with the introduction of new legislation means further education needs to be presented at this age. “What we want to know is they (students) should be aware about their obligations and the legislations,” she said. “Road safety is a very important issue and it’s very unpredictable and uncertain. If you do not follow the road rules, if you are not careful, or if you are not a safe road user, you can put your life at risk or somebody else’s at risk.” After state-wide public complaints regarding the irresponsible behaviours of those riding these electronically powered vehicles, the state government responded by introducing permanent rules for e-scooters late last year. Tough penalties have been instilled, including an increase in the fine for failing to wear a helmet to $395 whilst riding, $296 for riding on a footpath, and $247 for carrying a passenger. E-scooter passengers are also liable for a new fine of at least $247, which increases to $642 if they are also failing to wear a helmet. For those riding a non-compliant e-scooter, which is capable of travelling faster than 25km/h and is considered an unregistered motor vehicle, the fine is upwards of $988. “In terms of policing what issues we are seeing, how we are approaching these issues as Victoria Police, are first via education … engaging with the school students as well as the local stakeholders,” Inspector Deshpande added. “Second one we also look at from the enforcement perspective (is) issuing on-the-spot fines for the reckless or unsafe behaviours, not using helmets, riding on the footpath, or riding around pedestrians or other road users in a reckless manner.” Although, Inspector Deshpande firmly stated that: “It’s more about education than issuing fines”. The importance of this lecture for Lavalla and its students regards keeping both themselves and the surrounding community safe when these electronically powered vehicle are being used. Making sure students are wearing the appropriate safety equipment, including adapting to conditions like at night time to remain visible just as a cyclist would, and avoiding footpaths and displaying reckless behaviour, especially around fellow road users. Lavalla Catholic College Principal, Ryan Greer has noticed an increase in students using these e-bikes and e-scooters on their morning trips to school. “It’s really important that our young people are both prioritising their safety and the community’s safety as well, so opportunities like today give us the chance to speak to them about regulation, what’s in place for them in the community, and education,” Mr Greer said. “I think that it’s important as a community that we are all working together, and schools are microcosms of society, and having a really strong relationship with our local authorities and Victoria Police can only assist in assuring that everyone is on the same page.” Mr Greer believed these seminars are helpful for his students, with a lot of misinformation on the matter spread online, and with how high-powered some of the devices are out there. He added that students still arrive to school in various ways, including traditional methods via bus, parent drop-offs, riding pushbikes and walking, as well as e-scooters and e-bikes. Lavalla junior school student, Gemma thought the police visit was very eye-opening to see the dangers of these devices, despite only riding them close to home with her friends. “It showed how dangerous our roads can be if you’re not following the road safety rules, especially on transportation vehicles like e-bikes and e-scooters that you wouldn’t usually use,” she said. Clinical Nurse Educator at Latrobe Regional Health, Emma Marino detailed the injuries that come from riding e-bikes and e-scooters unsafely, both pedestrians and the riders themselves. “In emergency (wards), we usually see the consequences of people’s poor choices, and people sometimes wish they hadn’t done something,” she said. “(The students) could be the person who decides that they make sure that they do make good choices that they minimise the risk, and they think about what the consequences could be, not only for themselves but for their family, and also for the wider community.” For more information on the e-scooter road rules, visit: https://transport.vic.gov.au/road-rules-and-safety/e-scooter-road-rules  

LV Express: Don’t scoot around the issue #News #BassCoast #BawBaw

A serene photograph of snow-covered snow gums in Baw Baw National Park, Victoria, Australia. The trees’ pale, peeling bark and dark green foliage contrast with the foggy, snowy landscape, creating a mystical winter scene. A subtle watermark reading "Sandner Art & Photography" is visible in the bottom right corner.

Snow Gums in Mist: Baw Baw National Park, VIC, Australia

More about me and prints:
linktr.ee/steven.sandner

#Nature #SnowGums #BawBaw #Australia #Winter #Mist

View of Mount Baw Baw from a train in the Latrobe Valley. 17th September 2019. Screenshot from one of my train videos on my retired YouTube transport channel.

Photos I took at Mount Baw Baw on 30th December 2024 (last image is a screenshot from a 2019 video). Not as high or grand as Mount Kosciuszko which I went to a year earlier, but I was able to ride my bike from the village up to the summit (third image).

#mountbawbaw #bawbaw #victoria #australia