As a large council bordered by Victoria’s largest and second largest regional cities, different parts of Golden Plains Shire will again observe separate public holidays in lieu of the Melbourne Cup Public Holiday.
The Victorian Minister for Small Business, the Hon Jaala Pulford, under section 8 of the Public Holidays Act 1993, has declared that Tuesday 3 November 2020 (Melbourne Cup) is not a public holiday in all areas of Golden Plains Shire.
Instead, the Minister has declared Friday 16 October 2020 and Friday 13 November 2020 as public holidays for separate areas of the municipality:
- Friday 16 October 2020 is appointed a full-day public holiday for all areas in Golden Plains Shire east of Wingeel Road, Gumley-Mt Mercer Road and Meredith-Mt Mercer Road to celebrate the Royal Geelong Show.
- Friday 13 November 2020 is appointed a full-day public holiday for all areas in Golden Plains Shire west of Wingeel Road, Gumley-Mt Mercer Road and Meredith-Mt Mercer Road to celebrate the Ballarat Show.
Under the Public Holidays Act 1993, Golden Plains Shire Council has requested public holidays of local significance for the Ballarat and Geelong Shows since 2011. In 2020, this request to the Minister of Local Government was made prior to the cancellation of the events due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Council’s kerbside waste collection will run to the usual schedule on Friday 16 October, Tuesday 3 November, and Friday 13 November.
