News
Recycler faces imminent closure
JAMES Downes is Ararat’s original recycler.
For decades, he has diligently collected and disposed of Ararat’s recyclable waste, keeping hundreds of tonnes of glass, cardboard and plastic from landfill.
It was for many years a good business, but Mr Downes said things have changed dramatically and he is now in a difficult position where there is no longer a market for recycled glass and cardboard.
Now in his 80s and wanting to retire, Mr Downes said he’s in limbo.
“We cannot get rid of paper and cardboard. We can take it to Stawell to a recycler up there but he can’t get rid of some of it,” he said.
“It costs me money to get it up to Stawell. We do charge some people to pick up paper and cardboard around town but it doesn’t cover our costs.”
RSL backs local organisations
ARARAT RSL has continued with its tradition of supporting the local community with a series of community grants announced last week.
Twelve local organisations will share in $10,800.
The successful groups include Lake Bolac Music Club, Ararat Emergency Relief, Moyston Willaura Football Netball Club, Ararat Alexander Croquet Club, Ararat Eagles Football Netball Club, Lake Bolac and District Little Athletics, Ararat Lions Club, Ararat Genealogical Society, Ararat Musical Comedy Society, Ararat Men’s Shed, Ararat Neighbourhood House and Ararat City Band.
Delacombe Way sealing completed
DELACOMBE Way has been made safer thanks to a $478,000 investment through the Victorian Government’s AgriLinks Upgrade Program.
Despite recent intense weather events, Delacombe Way is now fully sealed as crews laid the final layer of bitumen this week.
King and Queen unveiled
Isabella Fiegert has been announced as Queen of the Ararat Golden Gateway Festival and Bill Waterston is King. Let the fun begin.
RESTORATION OF ARARAT A
AN important part of Ararat’s railway history has been restored with funding from the Victorian Government.
Ararat A is over 100 years old and is the only remaining signal box from the once busy Ararat rail yards.
Earlier this year, the government body VicTrack stepped in, approving a maintenance program to restore the old signal box to its former glory.
A VicTrack spokesperson confirmed to the Advocate this week, work is now complete.
Train patronage improves
COMMUTERS are slowly returning to the local train network with new figures showing an improvement in the number of people catching the train from Ararat Station.
Train patronage plummeted during the pandemic, but the Department of Transport confirms the figures are slowly returning to pre-COVID levels.
In the 2021/22 financial year there were 20,986 boardings at Ararat Station.
This was an increase from 15,222 in the 2020/21 financial year but still short of the pre-pandemic levels.
Medal presentation for Elmhurst stalwart
ELMHURST resident Geoff Penna was recently invited to Government House in Melbourne to be officially presented with his Order of Australia Medal.
Geoff Penna OAM was named in the annual Queen’s Birthday honours list for a lifetime of service to the communities of Ararat and Elmhurst.
His award was for service to numerous organisations across the community including as President of Elmhurst Bush Nursing Centre, Secretary of the Elmhurst Development Group, Secretary of Elmhurst Landcare and previous board positions with Marian College, Ararat College, Ararat Retirement Village and Ararat Regional Business Association.
Mr Penna and his wife Jean, daughter Lyndal and grandchildren William and Annie attended the official function at Government House for the presentation of awards by Victorian Governor Linda Dessau.
Waste revolution starts Monday
ARARAT Rural City’s waste and recycling will soon be revolutionised, as the new three or four-bin system commences across the municipality from October 3. Properties under 12 acres will transition to a four-bin system, receiving both a green bin for food and garden organics and glass-only bin, whereas properties above 12 hectares will have a […]