Port Ward councillor Doug Hamilton, Wendy Neill, Bruce Ridgway, Col Leeson, Paul King and Joy Adderley (front) are keen to make Lang Lang Victoria’s tidiest town. Picture: Meagan Rogers.
By Paul Dunlop
LANG LANG residents are hoping to sweep a path to Victoria’s tidiest town.
The town has been entered in the Keep Australia Beautiful Victoria Tidy Towns competition and has nominated for every category.
Regional judging begins at the end of the month.
Joy Adderley and other members of Lang Lang’s Tidy Towns committee have called on residents to take even greater pride in their town so it looks its absolute best.
“When the judge visits our town, it is not only the main street that will come under scrutiny, residential streets, parks, open spaces like the railway reserve, community complex and hall, skate park and tennis courts will all be taken into consideration,” Ms Adderley said.
“If all of us pay attention to our front garden, lawn and nature strip that will help. If people are wandering down the street, fell free to pull a weed anywhere they see one. Or pick up a bit of litter.”
Lang Lang will be judged against towns from around the state. Benalla won the award last year but local residents will doubtlessly put the experience of 2000, when Lang Lang picked up several prizes, to good use.
Cynthia Gane said the Tidy Towns program was a chance for Lang Lang to put its best foot forward.
“We know that Lang Lang is Cardinia Shire’s best kept secret, a special and unique town where we all pull together to get things done… but we’re about to let the rest of Victoria discover us,” she said.
A community working bee will be held to clean up on Sunday, 21 May.
Meanwhile, Lang Lang is one of two local towns bidding to become plastic bagfree. The other is Cockatoo.
Local MPs Tammy Lobato and Geoff Hilton announced recently that Cardinia Shire would receive a grant of $1000 and campaign resources to promote reducing plastic bags in both towns.
“This includes providing reusable bags, stickers, posters, badges, magnets, and information to go to residents and retailers and promoting alternatives to plastic bag use,” Ms Lobato said.
The township committees of Cockatoo and Lang Lang will work closely with local retailers, supported by Cardinia Council and the South Eastern Regional Waste Management Group.
Port Ward councillor Doug Hamilton, who chairs the waste management group, said he hoped residents would respond to the initiative with enthusiasm.
