TWENTY-TWO out of 23 allotments at Hamilton Business Park remain unsold with questions on the future of the empty site being asked by locals living nearby.

REGIONAL authorities could eventually supersede local councils, Minhamite Shire councillor, Keith Ball, claimed this week. Cr. Ball was commenting on the regional groupings proposed by the Federal Government which he described as “the thin end of the wedge”. The groupings, which were made public this week, places Hamilton in the South-West region, along with 16 other municipalities. The suggested set of regions have been compiled and issued by the Department of Urban and Regional Development. To qualify for Federal finance through the Grants Commission, councils must form into groups. The commission will only deal with applications formulated on a regional basis. The South-West Region has a population of 96,196.

THE site of the old Wannon Primary School is once again welcoming students on its grounds, this time as a recreational activity camp, with co-owner, Josh Bell, planning to improve the facilities with an impressive list of ideas that he hopes will make it a popular destination for years to come.

NEW Ambulance Victoria data shows paramedics are getting to the most critically ill patients faster in the Barwon South West Region, which takes in Southern Grampians local government area (LGA), than they were a year ago.

THOUSANDS of potholes on Victoria’s south-west road network have supposedly been filled in since February 2023.

LINDA and Ross Sanders have organised a ride for Reverend Peter Cook OAM called ‘Cookie’s Charity Run’ which aims to raise as much money as possible to allow Rev Cook to continue his tireless work in the community.

WORKING towards reducing stigma around mental health, locally run Wellways - a support service that provides a convenient, safe access point for support - recently held an art exhibition in The Hub.

THE guest speaker at the History Centre’s next general meeting will definitely be one worth coming to hear.

STAGE two of works to upgrade Macarthur’s Market Street Precinct got underway this week, with work on the splashpad kicking off on Wednesday, and with all going to plan is anticipated to be operational early in the new year.

IN Flanders fields the poppies blow, between the crosses, row on row… Hamilton RSL member Kaye Jenkins with husband Reg, placing some of the 4000 handmade plastic poppies at the site of the Melville Oval Cenotaph ahead of the Remembrance Day service at 11am today.