Saleyard fees
New fees apply at Yea Saleyards this year. Murrindindi Shire Council has approved the new scale of charges:
• A $2 increase to existing yard fees, to include the weighing of all cattle, commencing January 1, resulting in the following updated fee schedule:
• Cattle, $12 per head, inclusive GST
• Cow and Calf, $13 per unit, inclusive GST
• Bulls, $17 per head, inclusive GST
A minimum call out fee of $250 is to be charged for scalehouse operations outside of scheduled sale days, or $5 per head, whichever the greater.
The Yea Saleyards Committee of Management organises and facilitates approximately 20 store cattle sales per year at the Yea Saleyards, selling approximately 27,000 animals and generating a turnover of approximately $1.5 million for the livestock sector. Individual cattle sales vary in numbers from 1200 head, up to 3500 head.

Towing depot OK
Murrindindi Shire Council has granted permission for the construction of a towing depot office and caretaker’s dwelling at 635 Maroondah Hwy.
Applicant H.E. Moss asked for a permit for the development, as well as the erection of advertising signage, at the December meeting of Council.
Damien Bass spoke in support of the application.

Lease approved
Telstra and Murrindindi Shire Council have signed a lease document for Yea Spur Rd land at Flowerdale

Code Red days
Murrindindi Shire Council has discussed its policies for ‘Code Red’ fire danger days.
“Alexandra and Yea are the only areas in the Shire not considered bushfire prone there may be a greater propensity for people enacting their fire plans on Code Red Days to relocate to these towns,” noted a report to Councillors.
“Where possible, Council’s recreational services such as swimming pools and library services will be maintained in these towns.
“The Policy also requires that a number of non-essential Council services in locations outside Yea and Alexandra will be suspended on Code Red Days, given the need for travel to, or through, higher risk bushfire prone areas by staff and the public to deliver or access these services.
“These include Maternal Child and Health Services (Toolangi, Kinglake, Eildon, Marysville and Flowerdale), Swimming Pools in Eildon and Marysville and all mobile library services.
“The Policy also indicates that Council’s outdoor infrastructure operations will be suspended, with staff on stand-by arrangements to respond to any emergencies arising,” the report said.

Recovery options
The Goulburn Valley Waste Resource Recovery Group is working with Murrindindi Shire to commission a review of Council’s needs and options for resource recovery centres now and into the future, Cr Eric Lording told his colleagues.