STAWELL residents are frustrated after the Northern Grampians Shire Council announced changes to the amount of times the iconic clock tower will ring during the day.
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On Wednesday, February 10 the council announced they would be reducing number of times the clock tower tower chimes from its original on the hour, every hour between 6am and 11pm each day; to on the hour, every hour between 8am to 10pm.
However, residents were not happy with the decision and vented their frustration with many comments on a Stawell Times-News' social media post.
Sandra Lea commented: "what a load of rubbish, next thing it won't ring at all," she said.
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"I, for one, was never asked about this. l happen to love the chimes it is unique to the town."
Deni Ruby was also disappointed by the decision to change the times and said "the chiming clock is unique and symbolic of Stawell's gold mining history. Tourists stop and photograph it".
"At the very least please conduct a proper survey to see what the people of Stawell really want. Personally I like the early morning chimes."
Many residents were left frustrated as they weren't consulted for the decision, but the Northern Grampians Shire Council Mayor Murray Emerson clarified the council's decision-making process for issues like these.
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"We received a complaint around Christmas from tourists staying in the township and have also had correspondence recently from the owner of an accommodation venue near to the town hall that he has had complaints from guests about the early and late ringing times of the bell," he said.
"The times were discussed among council management and we thought it best to try and be more adjusted to align with working hours in the morning and a slightly earlier time in the evening.
"If residents have any feedback they would like to raise with council about the bells or any other issue, councillors are here to listen to the community and represent them as best we can. Just reach out to us and have a chat."
"There is also a contact form on our website, and council can be contacted over the phone, by email, and on social media. We also use the Snap, Send, Solve app for any urgent items. There is no shortage of ways people can provide feedback to us so we can make the Northern Grampians the best it can be."
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