July 2004 - Chewton.net

COUNCIL NEWS
FREE CHEMICAL COLLECTION
EcoRecycle Victoria and Mount Alexander Shire Council
are offering a free opportunity to rid homes of unwanted
chemicals. On Saturday 21 st August between 2pm and
5pm, the Castlemaine Landfill will accept unwanted
household chemicals. All householders are urged to check
cupboards under the sink, the bathroom, garden shed and
garage to locate chemical wastes and bring them to the
collection day.
Among the types of unwanted household chemicals
accepted for safe disposal on the day are household
chemicals such as aerosol cans, insect sprays, pest poisons,
household cleaners, pharmaceuticals, mothballs and old
smoke detectors. Garden chemicals such as fertilisers,
fungicides, herbicides and insecticides will also be
accepted. You can bring in automotive chemicals such as
transmission fluids, batteries and battery acid, brake fluid,
car wax solvent, fuels such as petrol, diesel and kerosene
and oils, including motor and sump oils. Workshop
chemicals including paint strippers, solvent-based glues,
water and oil-based paints, paint thinner, acetone,
turpentine, varnish and wood preservation will also be
disposed of safely.
Farm chemicals are collected under a separate service
called ChemCollect and empty chemical drums are
collected under the drumMUSTER program. If you want
more information, contact the Shire Offices or call
EcoRecyle’s toll-free information line on 1800 35 32 33 or
check their website, www.ecorecyle.vic.gov.au
INCREASE IN DOG ATTACKS
Local Laws Officers with Mount Alexander Shire have
reported an alarming increase in dog attacks over the last
few weeks. Residents are reminded that it is an offence
to allow a dog to roam and owners are required to keep
dogs confined to their property at all times. Fines range
from $150 for a dog at large during the daytime to $200
for a dog roaming at night. Council officers regularly patrol
the Shire on the lookout for offending dogs. Owners face
prosecution if their dog attacks or chases livestock. Such
actions can result in the destruction of the dog involved
and hefty fines may be imposed on owners. If you want
to report a dog roaming or attacking livestock, please
contact the Local Laws Officers at the Shire on 54711764.
ROAD GRADING PROGRAM
The recent rain has enabled Council to resume its road
grading program. This service had to be temporarily
withdrawn for some months because the lack of rain meant
there was no residual moisture left in the ground. Moisture
is required to grade gravel roads and the regular program
of maintenance therefore had to be discontinued. Only
urgent work, particularly where there were safety issues
involved, was carried out during this period. As promised,
a catchup process has begun and approximately half the
backlog of grading work accumulated over the past few
months, has now been completed. Council workers hope
to complete the catchup work by the end of July. A regular
maintenance schedule will then be resumed, as long as
there is sufficient moisture in the roads to allow this to
occur.
MICROCHIPPING DAY SUCCESS
A total of eighty-eight pets were microchipped when Mount
Alexander Shire held its regular pet microchipping day.
Those who attended were entertained by an exhibition of
dog obedience by the German Shepherd Dog Club of
Bendigo. An obstacle course for dogs was set up by the
Club for canine visitors to try their skills.
Responsible Dog and Cat Owners Awards were
announced and presented by Mayor, Jim Norris. The
winning dog owner was Trevor Youngman with his dog,
Jessie. Trevor is often seen around town driving a blue
truck (which he says belongs to Jessie), with Jessie tied
on the back under her purpose built sunshade. Beverley
Hill won the award for responsible cat owners. Beverley
owns twelve cats and she is a dedicated rescuer of stray
and unwanted cats, which she houses in a purpose built
cattery. She ensures they are desexed, registered, loved
and kept in a responsible and safe manner.
All winners received prizes sponsored by Natures Gift,
Mount Alexander Shire, Merial Australia, Vets All Natural,
Taylor Brothers and Purdys Pet Hotel.
FREE BOOKLET
NOW AVAILABLE