Over the last few months, the CEO and l have been actively engaging with our community in regard to the proposed budget 2024/25, waste and recycling charges and understanding the cost on local government to manage this service, council’s key initiatives and priority projects over the next 12 months; and council’s key advocacy agenda.
We have undertaken extensive consultation, with 190 people attending sessions across the Shire. We thank everyone who attended and who provided feedback during the sessions.
Along with the budget, we have also sought feedback on our Draft Sport and Recreation Strategy 2024-2034, which contained a survey asking for your views on how council should allocate funds to support the running of recreation reserves and swimming pools.
Through the survey, we were interested in your thoughts on the principles established for allocating funding contributions, and what you consider are the highest priority and percentage apportionment to inform the distribution model.
Road Hierarchy
In 2022, council undertook community consultations to review both the Road Management Plan and the Road Hierarchy.
The consultation process consisted of face-to-face meetings, an online survey using a media platform, and the opportunity to submit submissions via the post.
Council received feedback throughout the community consultation process that has informed the development of the Road Management Plan 2022-2025, and the review of the Road Hierarchy 2023-2025.
Council adopted the Road Management Plan revision on 29 June 2023, and the Road Hierarchy (stage 1) revision on 25 October 2023.
Stage 2 of the Road Hierarchy revision has included specific hierarchy classification changes to roads and streets based on updated categories adopted in the Road Hierarchy review from Stage 1.
Stage 2 of the Road Hierarchy consultation process aims to obtain feedback from the community regarding the proposed changes to the hierarchy, in relation to specific roads and streets based on the category review.
Letters have been mailed out to ratepayers where their property access is located along a road that has been assessed as part of the process.
Feedback is open until August 2 2024.
Governance Rules
Our Council Governance Rules has also undertaken a review to prepare for the upcoming election.
The Governance Rules revision is now open for feedback, and consultation will conclude on July 16 2024.
Grampians, Wimmera Mallee Tourism
We were delighted to host the 3WM Morning Rush Team for a live broadcast from Lake Lascelles, Hopetoun Mallee Bush Retreat.
As part of the new Visitor Economy Partnership, this was one of the many initiatives planned to highlight and market the Wimmera Mallee Region.
It was also wonderful to be part of the Channel 9, Postcards visit to the region which showcased the iconic Murtoa Stickshed.