Excitement is building in Echuca as the town prepares to host Members of the Legislative Council for the special Regional Sitting next week at the Echuca Library.
The library will be closed from Saturday, 13 April to prepare for the sitting on Thursday, 18 April, and will reopen again on Saturday, 20 April.
Mayor Rob Amos said there was a huge amount of logistical work undertaken by both teams from the Parliament of Victoria and the Campaspe Shire Council.
"The team from Parliament has made several visits to Echuca in preparation for the events that are happening for this special regional sitting of the Legislative Council.
"Together with the council staff and local contractors, they will be transforming the library into the Upper House chamber for the day.
"Students from Echuca College have been asked to cater the morning and afternoon teas for the Members of Parliament and their staff which is a fantastic opportunity for those young people to experience," the Mayor said.
In addition to the sitting in Echuca, on the 16 and 17 April Members of Parliament will be attending youth forums in Shepparton and Kyabram for participants, aged 16 to 30, to engage in meaningful discussions about issues that are important to them.
Members of the Legislative Council, mayors and councillors from neighbouring local governments and members of the community have also been invited to a welcome event at the Port of Echuca.
On the day of the sitting, the area surrounding the library will be abuzz as school children are invited to attend educational sessions outside the library. There will be screens to televise the event, a coffee van and ice cream truck.
"It promises to be a hive of activity and will be a truly memorable day in Echuca's history," Mayor Amos said.
The Members and staff of parliament during their lunch break will have the opportunity to try and buy goods from local producers.
"The regional sitting is a fantastic economic boost for our region as many local suppliers have been contracted to provide goods and services. As well as this, accommodation, retail and hospitality providers will welcome a large number of guests from all over the state to our town.
"The other huge benefit of this regional sitting is that Members of Parliament will be able to see firsthand the impact of the 2022 and 2024 floods and this will strengthen our efforts to advocate for community needs," Mayor Amos added.
