With Kirkland Lake Gold ceasing underground mining at Stawell and the subsequent loss of up to 150 jobs, investment in such infrastructure will not only create jobs during the construction phase and an asset people can enjoy, the trail should become a tourist attraction that has lasting benefits to businesses and therefore jobs creation. 

As a regular visitor to Bright as well as the Grampians, it is evident that the Murray to the Mountains Rail Trail, which runs from Wangaratta to Bright, is a tourist attraction and that businesses are benefiting from it.

It is strategic investments like completing the tail trail that Stawell needs.

GAVAN ORD

Melbourne

AGRICULTURE Minister Jaala Pulford is beefing up the pockets of global corporations over Victorian small business as she implements her go-it-alone eID scheme.

Ms Pulford told The Weekly Times this week ‘there is no requirement to buy gear other than subsidised electronic tags and an applicator — which costs about $70-80 on eBay’.

As Minister for Agriculture and Regional Development, Ms Pulford should be supporting Victoria’s rural small businesses – not acting as a billboard for a massive global website like eBay.

Labor blocked rural supply stores from selling the new eID tags and is now telling farmers to choose cheap equipment from an online retailer – instead of promoting the businesses that support our rural community groups.

There’s not a single cent of benefit for country communities in this kind of anti-small business attitude.

Under the previous system, sheep producers would go to rural supply stores to buy ear tags for sheep and goats.

From January 1, only the Department of Economic Development, Jobs, Transport and Resources can sell the tags.

The eID rollout also fails to provide adequate support for sheep producers who wanted to upgrade their on-farm technology.

Grants of a maximum of $3000, from a pool of $750,000, guarantee some producers will miss out.

There are 28,000 sheep producers in Victoria, so $750,000 is a token handout from a city-centric Labor government hell-bent on short-changing country Victorians.

It is time Jaala Pulford’s rushed go-it-alone scheme started working in the best interests of Victorian sheep producers.

PETER WALSH    

Nationals Leader

GET naked, don’t snuggle and avoid the bedroom until you’re yawning.

Australia’s Sleep Health Foundation is issuing hot tips to get a decent night’s slumber as the mercury climbs to new heights this summer.

These hot nights can take a heavy toll on your sleep.

Sweltering temperatures make it difficult to fall asleep, wake you often in the night and leave you feeling drained and exhausted by morning.

Research shows humans sleep most soundly when the temperature is 17 to 19 degrees Celsius.

When the temperatures soar there are several easy and cost-effective tricks you can use to cool your body and ensure you get your 40 winks, the foundation says.

Many Australians will be familiar with the benefits of ventilation - an open window or a fan to get the air moving in the room.

But there are several other tips many people overlook. Stripping down definitely helps. Swap your nightshirt or nightgown for a sleeveless top, skimpy shorts, underwear, or even better, nothing at all. 

Cotton sheets and clothing will keep you cooler than synthetic fabrics.

We also recommend a cool shower before bed, and have another if you’re wakeful in the night.

Try wiping your hands and face on a cold face-washer before bed and let your feet stick out from under your sheet or doona in the middle of the night.

If you can get the temperature of your hands and feet right then chances are you’ll get to sleep quickly and stay asleep.

If you’re using a sheet only, keep a lightweight doona nearby so you find easily when your body temperature drops lowest between 3am and 5am.

Obviously, air conditioning or evaporative cooling will help, but this is a more expensive solution.

The Sleep Health Foundation also advises people not to hit the sack too early.

It usually takes longer to fall asleep when you’re hot, so don’t go to bed too early.

In fact don’t go to bed until you actually feel quite sleepy.“

Dehydration and sunburn will both harm your sleep so ensure you drink plenty of water through the day and follow the slip, slop, slap sun protection guidelines. 

Lastly, avoid getting too cosy with your bed partner.

It might be romantic but curling up with your beloved will make it very hard to sleep.

When you cuddle you’ve got to contend with your partner’s body heat as well as your own.

The foundation has published new guidelines for safe and successful sleeping on hot nights on its website.

View the guidelines at www.sleephealthfoundation.org.au/public-information/fact-sheets-a-z/840-hot-nights-how-to-help-sleep.html

DOROTHY BRUCK

Chair, Sleep Health Foundation