Mildura-Swan Hill and Wimmera local news briefing

Mildura-Swan Hill and Wimmera local news briefing: Monday, September 21, 2026 Here's what's making news in the Mildura-Swan Hill and Wimmera regions today. Calls grow for Horsham mental health unit The Horsham Rural City Council and a number of Wimmera residents are calling for a 24/7 mental health facility to be built, allowing people to access treatment closer to home. Some residents living with depression, anxiety and depressive psychosis regularly have to make five-hour round trips to Ballarat for treatment, sometimes via public transport. Mayor Brian Klowss said about 400 people from the region were admitted or transported to Ballarat Hospital each year for mental health-related issues. Grampians Health said it recognised the ongoing demand in the Wimmera, but there were no confirmed plans for a new 24/7 facility in Horsham. Dog park paused over heritage concerns The Swan Hill Rural City Council has paused work on a proposed dog park in Robinvale after Tati Tati traditional owners raised concerns about the site's cultural significance. Tati Tati traditional owner Uncle Brendan Kennedy said the site at Centenary Park was a massacre, burial and ceremonial area for his people. Cultural body First Peoples - State Relations, which approved the project's cultural heritage management plan, has paused the project while an investigation is conducted. Traditional owners involved in H5 response Traditional owners are being involved in Victoria's response to H5 bird flu amid concerns the virus could affect protected and culturally significant birds. The Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action said it was working with traditional owner groups to notify them when new H5 bird impacts are identified on Country, so they can adjust operations and keep their communities informed. The department said further actions to help communities and reduce the impact on wildlife were being explored. Wentworth mayor reappointed Wentworth Shire mayor Daniel Linklater and deputy mayor Peter Crisp have been reappointed to their roles for the next two years. The pair was elected unopposed, with no other councillors nominating for either position. Cr Linklater has been mayor for the past three years, while Cr Crisp has served as deputy mayor for the past two. Premiership droughts broken Australian Rules Football and netball premiership droughts have been broken across the region. In the Wimmera Football Netball League, the Nhill Tigers ended a 45-year drought by defeating the Ararat Rats, who were chasing four flags in a row. In the netball, the Horsham Saints won back-to-back netball premierships with a 57-39 victory over Dimboola. Birchip-Watchem's A-grade netballers broke a 73-year drought in the North Central League, while the Wedderburn Redbacks won back-to-back senior footy flags. In the Central Murray Football Netball League, Nyah Nyah West United slotted a goal after the siren to win the premiership, while the Mallee Eagles claimed the A-grade netball title.