Posted by Harry Bracegirdle on Aug 15, 2017
Richard Hodgens, the Moyne Shire Council's Environmental Officer gave a very informative presentation to members of the Rotary Club at its Dinner meeting held 14th August.
 
The Club has worked pro-actively with Richard over a number of years in regard to weed control, tree planting and maintenance and the cleanup of litter and other rubbish along Skenes Road between the town and the Golf Club.
Richard, who has been in his role with the Council for just over 8 years provided members with a view of where the Council's environmental management budget is allocated with the major task involving weed control, roadside flora maintenance, oversight of special reserves, beach access points and efficiency improvement programs in regard to lighting such as the LED lighting exchange program, other reduction programs for Council utilities and fostering carbon offset programs against the Council's fleet of 69 vehicles.  Some special budgeted programs include the Avenues of Honour, Peterborough's Coastal Erosion monitoring and the Port Fairy East Beach sea wall upgrade.
 
Richard, who is part of the Sustainability, Environment and Waste section of the Moyne Shire Council also fosters activities on National Tree Day and other weed control projects especially in and around Port Fairy's waterfronts, Battery Hill Reserve and Griffith Island.  He also has oversight of pest animal control (foxes, rabbits etc.) 
 
He outlined some of the 2017 projects which involved Charles Mills Reserve, revegetation of Battery Hill Reserve and new garden beads on Railway Place.
 
Rotarian, Hester Woodrup, thanked Richard for his informative presentation and presented him with a small gift in recognition.