Word and Mouth Youth Events Worker Nick Lowie said he is excited to include bands from across Victoria alongside the local acts.

"Drive by Epic is a three piece melodic rock band from Melbourne/Geelong, who recently supported Bodyjar, Cog and Carpathian," said Nick.

"They have just released their self-titled EP and are attracting airplay on many community radio stations.

"Other visiting bands are punk acts October Powder, Ballantyne and Down The Line, plus screamo band MayAprilMarchinAugust."

Live at the Park is an all-ages event in an open venue, minors must be supervised by an adult. Professional security will be in attendance.

All Word and Mouth events are drug, alcohol and smoke-free.

For further information, please contact Word and Mouth Executive Officer Kate Emerson on 0437 771 114, email wordandmouth@shepparton.vic.gov.au, or alternatively log on to www.myspace.com/distortion_freeza.

Live At The Park is funded by the Greater Shepparton City Council and coordinated by Word and Mouth.

- Released 18 November

"The Council looks forward to the former drive-in site being developed as the site is recognised as a prime location for a neighborhood centre to service the growing residential areas of Kialla and Shepparton South.

"The site was identified as an important part of Shepparton's retail hierarchy under the Greater Shepparton 2030 Strategy.

"Floor space caps have been introduced so the drive-in site will not impact on the strong current position or regional role of the Shepparton CBD.

"The 14,800 square metre development includes a supermarket, service station, fast food outlet, 2,300 metres square of smaller retail shops, office space, a play area and 290 square metres of community space.

"The remainder of the floor area is to be used for up to 8,500 square meters of bulky goods retailing.

The Council will now issue the planning permit and the developers will then be required to submit detailed civil construction plans before construction can start.

More information is available on the Council website www.greatershepparton.com.au or at the Council offices, 90 Welsford Street Shepparton.

- Released 17 November

"This strategy will ensure the economic sustainability and guide the economic development of the community for many years into the future.

"It will develop strategic Council economic development objectives, identify program areas and outcomes and determine the key priorities for Council's Economic Development Department for the 2009-2012 period.

"Work on the strategy will begin in late November with consultants seeking submissions from local traders, businesses and other stakeholders who want to have their say in shaping the direction of the strategy.

"Council will seek written submissions from interested members of the Greater Shepparton community covering a number of themes including investment attraction, industry and business retention, expansion and development, skills attraction and retention and small town growth."

"He has extensive experience in mentoring and coaching individuals to reach their full potential.

"Participants will learn how to set priorities, goals and targets, as well as how to develop and work to a timetable.

"With our lives and jobs becoming busier, effective time management is essential for business and life happiness and success."

The cost of the seminar is $20 per participant, which includes refreshments. Bookings are essential.

The seminar will be held on Wednesday 19 November from 6.00pm to 8.00pm.

To book for the seminar contact the Greater Shepparton Business Centre on
(03) 5832 1100 or drop into the Centre at 70 New Dookie Road Shepparton.

The Greater Shepparton Business Centre is a Greater Shepparton City Council facility.

- Released 12 November

"GV BRaIN is a strong network and an increasing number of people are taking up the opportunity to come along and hear from fantastic speakers like Andrew.

"The dinners are informal and social and attendees have time to network and meet people from other businesses and industries."

GV BRaIN encourages the development of the Greater Shepparton business community by providing opportunities for like minded individuals to meet and share ideas.

The GV BRaIN networking dinner will be held on Thursday 20 November from 6.30pm at the Eastbank Centre in Welsford Street, Shepparton.

The cost of the dinner is $65 per person, which includes finger food, a two course meal and drinks.

Bookings are essential. Contact Riverlinks on (03) 5832 9511.

For more information or to register for the GV BRaIN mailing list contact Greater Shepparton City Council's Business Development Coordinator Leanne Mulcahy on (03) 5832 9700 or visit www.greatershepparton.com.au/gvbrain.

- Released 7 November

Greater Shepparton City Council's Indoor Sports Facilities Coordinator Megan Carr said the partnership between the stadium and AASC would enable a greater number of activities to be offered.

"We hope to increase the number of young people who take part in physical activities in Greater Shepparton," Ms Carr said.

"The program targets children of primary school age and particularly those who normally wouldn't take part in sport or other physical activities."

"The program offers a wide range of sports and activities from traditional sports to activities such as dance and circus skills.

"Children can get involved through their local primary school."

The new AASC office is located next to the meeting room in the Shepparton Sports Stadium.

For more information on programs offered as part of the Active After-Schools Program contact John Byrnes on 0437 700 396.

The Shepparton Sports Stadium is a Greater Shepparton City Council sporting facility.

- Released 7 November

Greater Shepparton City Council's Acting Director Development and Infrastructure Colin Kalms said this strategy is relevant to all people who have an interest in housing and for those people who just wish to know what their town may look like in 20 years.

"Council is holding a series of neighbourhood drop-in sessions where members of the public can approach the project team with questions about the housing strategy," Mr Kalms said.

"Sessions will be held in Murchison, Tatura, and Shepparton on Wednesday 5 and in Dookie on Thursday 6 November 2008.

"All townships and urban areas across Greater Shepparton will be affected by the housing strategy, so it's important that people have their say on proposals for future growth options in their neighbourhood.

"The housing strategy has been developed to ensure an adequate supply of land for residential development, improve the quality and performance of future residential development, promote active and healthy living environments, achieve a wide choice of affordable and market housing and promote leadership, innovation and learning."

It also includes maps which show the proposed level of change that could be expected in particular areas and towns, including timeframes for planned residential growth and includes objectives, strategies and actions to guide housing delivery and sets a long-term direction for future residential growth.

A full copy of the draft GSHS is on display in Dookie, Katandra West, Merrigum, Mooroopna, Murchison, Shepparton, Shepparton East, Tallygaroopna, Tatura, Toolamba, Undera and online at www.greatershepparton.com.au.

More details about these drop-in sessions including the locations of where the draft GSHS can be viewed are included in the latest GSHS Project Bulletin #3 which can be viewed on the Council's website www.greatershepparton.com.au - simply search ‘Housing Strategy'.

All feedback is to be addressed to Greg Hughes Strategic Planning Coordinator Greater Shepparton City Council Locked Bag 1000 Shepparton VIC 3632.

For further information about the GSHS contact Strategic Planning Coordinator Greg Hughes on (03) 5832 9700 or greg.hughes@shepparton.vic.gov.au.

Details of neighbourhood drop-in sessions:

• Murchison
Wednesday 5 November 2008, 9.30am - 11.30am
Community Centre, 10 Watson Street, Murchison

• Tatura
Wednesday 5 November 2008, 12.30pm - 2.30pm
Ballantyne Centre, Hastie Street, Tatura

• Shepparton
Wednesday 5 November 2008, 4.00pm - 6.00pm
Council Board Room, Council Office,
90 Welsford Street, Shepparton

• Dookie
Thursday 6 November 2008, 9.30am - 11.30am
Dookie Community Centre, Dookie Recreation Reserve

Greater Shepparton City Council's Manager Aged and Children's Services Simon Rose said the sessions are designed to assist by providing parents with information to help their children transition to kindergarten.

"Information provided at both sessions will include ideas on how to help prepare children for the transition to kinder or school and options if parents believe their child may not be ready for kinder or school," Mr Rose said.

"Some kindergartens may also be running similar information sessions at their own centre so we encourage parents to check with their local kinder."

All parents who attend will receive an information bag. There is no cost to attend the sessions but bookings are required.

To book a place in either session please contact Council's Best Start Municipal Early Years Project Officer Belinda Whitelaw on 5832 9700.

In Victoria, kindergarten is a funded one year program available to all children who turn four before 30 April in the year of attendance.

For more information contact DPI's locusts hotline 1300 135 559 or visit www.dpi.vic.gov.au/locusts.

- Released 29 October

"As we get closer to Christmas it is important businesses have techniques they can use to attract shoppers.

"The session will include information on different motivational tools, a plan for attracting shoppers and the latest selling techniques and tools.

"Greater Shepparton City Council has worked with Regional Development Victoria and the Shepparton Chamber of Commerce to develop this workshop, aimed specifically at local retailers."

The summit will be held at the Greater Shepparton Business Centre, 70 New Dookie Road on Tuesday 11 November from 6.30pm til 8.30pm.

There is no cost for participants however registration is required.

To register contact the Greater Shepparton Business Centre on (03) 5832 1100 or drop into the centre at 70 New Dookie Road Shepparton.