Shire segmented for spring public holidays

INSTEAD of taking Melbourne Cup Day off, separate Shire areas will be given different public holidays in October and November.

With the municipality bordered by regional cities, Ballarat and Geelong, Minister for Small Business Jaala Pulford said Friday, 16 October and Friday, 13 November have been put into the calendar, rather than Tuesday, 3 November – Melbourne Cup Day.

The October date will see Shire residents based east of Wingeel Road, Gumley-Mt Mercer Road and Meredith-Mt Mercer Road mark the Royal Geelong Show Day.

The November date means those west of Wingeel Road, Gumley-Mt Mercer Road and Meredith-Mt Mercer Road will have a day off to acknowledge Ballarat Show Day.

The Golden Plains Shire has requested its local government area be given public holidays of local significance since 2011, under the State Public Holidays Act 1993.

The Minister of Local Government received this request for 2020 before the widespread cancellation of public events due to the impacts of COVID-19 and restrictions.

At the City of Ballarat’s 22 July meeting, council changed the local gazetted public holiday from Ballarat Show Day to Melbourne Cup Day.

The City of Greater Geelong will have a public holiday for Geelong Cup Day on Wednesday, 21 October.

Both the Ballarat Agricultural and Pastoral Society’s Spring Show and the Royal Geelong Show have been cancelled for 2020.

Kerbside waste collection services will run unaltered during the public holidays

The Golden Plains Shire did not request the Minister make Melbourne Cup Day a public holiday for its residents.