News
Works starting at Junction Place in Wodonga
WORK to remove the redundant rail infrastructure at Places Victoria's Junction Place site is set to start signalling the first construction work on the site since the railway closed in 2010.
Places Victoria chief executive officer Sam Sangster said the Victorian-based specialist, Industrial Demolition Services Pty Ltd, would start their removal program within a week.
“I'm pleased to announce work will begin this month to begin the transformation of this former railway site into Junction Place,” Mr Sangster said.
“There is a great deal of rail infrastructure to be removed from the 10-hectare site, such as old tracks, signal boxes, light posts, sleepers and stone.
“Removing the old infrastructure will allow for improved access for new service connections to be made and for further site preparation for future development."
The removal program is expected to take up to eight weeks to be completed.
Mr Sangster said some infrastructure would be retained to maintain the historic rail character of Junction Place.
“We've always recognised the importance of the site's wonderful heritage and we don't want to lose that,” Mr Sangster said.
“Some of the iconic signal lights and other rail infrastructure will be reused in the three public open spaces planned for Junction Place.
“The Goods Shed and Station Building are also real heritage assets and will be retained and tastefully re-used.”
Junction Place's first expression of interest process to the market will also open up on May 17, 2012 for an entertainment and supporting retail precinct.
Further information about Junction Place is available at places.vic.gov.au
Success at Melbourne expo 
GLASSWARE GIVEN: Wodonga Council’s economic development officer Julia Fenech, Wodonga Mayor Cr Mark Byatt and team leader economic development Nerida Kerr with the award. 
WODONGA Council was awarded the Best Council Exhibit at the inaugural Regional Living Expo held from April 27 to 29 at the Melbourne Convetion and Exhibition Centre.
This included a new-look brochure about the city.
A total of 48 regional and rural councils were in attendance.
The free public event was a great opportunity for Melbournians to learn about the benefits of living in Wodonga.
More than 1000 people visited the council’s stand.
Indigo residents quick to go solar
INDIGO Shire has seen a large uptake of solar home energy systems through the Solar North East bulk-buying project which operates across the seven council areas of Alpine, Benalla, Indigo, Mansfield, Towong,
Wangaratta and Wodonga and is funded by a $500,000 grant received under the Solar Photovoltaic Community Hubs program through Sustainability Victoria.
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Recent information sessions held in Chiltern, Rutherglen, Beechworth and Yackandandah, were attended by more than 650 residents, and 40 per cent of the 204 solar photovoltaic systems currently ordered through Solar North East are in Indigo Shire.
“It’s great to see Indigo Shire residents are taking advantage of the Solar North East bulk buying project, as these rebates won’t be around forever,” Indigo Shire's manager sustainable communities Mark Florence said.
Greg and Katalin Young of Yackandandah are one of the 78 Indigo Shire households that have installed or ordered solar photovoltaics through the Solar North East Community Solar Hub Program. The Youngs installed a 3kW system to complement renovations including double glazing and fully insulating their home to improve energy efficiency.
“It’s educated our children. The kids are asking questions about energy, it gives them a focus. That’s been a bonus I didn’t even consider when I decided to install solar. It’s been great listening to their conversations,” Greg Young said.
Solar North East supports residents and businesses with advice on how to reduce their energy consumption and determine the solar energy system most suitable for their electrical needs and financial restraints. Rebates up to $4,000 are available via the Government’s Small Scale Technology Certificates, depending on the size of the solar system installed, as well as a program discount of up to $1000 which will be available until December, 2012.
Residents are encouraged to contact Indigo Shire’s Solar North East ambassador Tamsin Greenwood on (02) 6028 1100, tgreenwood@indigoshire.vic.gov.au, or drop in to the Yackandandah Indigo Shire office on Tuesdays or Wednesdays, for more information.
Quest Serviced Apartments and new tavern for Wodonga
A NEW $25 million development, incorporating Quest Serviced Apartments and a new tavern, will be built in Wodonga.
The Joss and Perry families will be co-developers of the new project, to be built on the current Scout Hall site in Reid St, opposite the RSL Wodonga Sub-Branch.
Click here for more information.