Lindy Nieuwenhuizen, Author at Committee for Greater Shepparton

It’s budget season!

The council and federal budgets that will be released in coming weeks will be the last before local government elections in October and possibly the last before the Federal election next year. At all levels (local, state or federal) there’s a consistent narrative about the constrained financial circumstances as we recover from the accumulated impact…

10 Year Celebration

At our 10-year anniversary last year, we had some fun presenting a vision for Greater Shepparton 10 years from now – in 2034. The following is an extract. There’s a Greek proverb that says A society grows great when old men plant trees in whose shade they know they shall never sit. In Shepparton we…

C4GS disappointed by Federal Government decision to axe GV Bypass funding

The Committee for Greater Shepparton is extremely disappointed to see the Federal Government axe the $208 million of funding allocated for the Goulburn Valley (Shepparton) bypass. “Last year demonstrated the need for the second river crossing – for our local business and communities, but also for the safe and efficient movement of freight and people…

Numbers do not always add up!

From sports results to speeding fines, we rely on numbers to define winners and losers, risk takers and rules breakers. We love the precision and black and white certainty of a number. But the past few weeks have also highlighted why numbers don’t always add up. November is that time of year, where once again…

Connections make for strong communities

Studies have shown if people moving to a new region are not deeply connected within twelve months of relocating they will move within two years, if not earlier. Anecdotally, moving house is one of the most stressful things a person can do, then add onto that moving to a new location and anxiety levels can…

Possible Sale of Land for Affordable Housing

The Committee for Greater Shepparton has made the following submission to Greater Shepparton City Council regarding the Possible Sale of Land for Affordable Housing – High and Rowe Streets Car Park. The Committee for Greater Shepparton (C4GS) supports the potential sale, lease, or gift of the High and Rowe Streets Car Park (the southeast corner…

Reflecting on a Nation…

There are very few occasions where I have reflected on Australia Day and what it represents. Growing up on a farm, few public holidays had any impact on the daily routine, and if they fell during school holidays – with no day off school – they barely registered in our thinking. The 1990s was the…

Careers that Call us Home

So as we mark the end of another school year – it has me wondering if a few old dogs need to learn some new tricks or maybe unlearn some old ones! In December 1992 unemployment rates peaked at 11.2%, and youth unemployment hit 20.1% – the highest rates of unemployment in the past 50…

What do we expect from our member for Shepparton

Last Friday (11 November 2022) our CEO, Lindy Nieuwenhuizen spoke with ABC morning host Nic Healy to discuss the priorities we are hearing from the Greater Shepparton community that will feature in tomorrow night’s candidates Forum. You can listen to the interview here: https://www.c4gs.com.au/wp-content/uploads/C4GS-BREAKFAST.mp3

Greater Shepparton – Build Back Better By Design

Our city has just experienced a 1 in 100-year flood with thousands in our community displaced and concerned for their loved ones, homes, and uncertain about what happens next. Before the flood waters had even receded, there are media articles and coverage speculating on our willingness and ability to understand and respond to the challenges…