Community members are invited to have their say on the priorities for Southern Grampians Shire Council as development of the 2021-2025 Council Plan commences.
Council is required to prepare and adopt a Council Plan every four years. It’s an important document that outlines the vision for the four year term of the Council and includes the objectives, strategies and actions which need to be implemented and undertaken to ensure this vision is realised.
The 2021-2025 Council Plan will be guided by the work already undertaken in the development of the 2041 community vision framework, which is the longer term strategic plan for the next 20 years.
There will be a number of opportunities for community members to contribute their idea to the 2021-2025 Council Plan, says Southern Grampian Shire Council Mayor Bruach Colliton.
“Community members will be able to participate in the planning process in a number of ways including joining virtual sessions, filling in postcards and submitting online forms. Face-to-face gatherings have also been planned, with every township having the opportunity to meet the Mayor, CEO and Councillors to share their vision for the next four years,” Cr Colliton said.
“In developing our last Council Plan, these community sessions were really beneficial and Council was able to get a solid understanding of the things our residents wanted Council to focus on. A number of ideas and priorities came directly from the community feedback received at these sessions including the Dog Park in Hamilton, Council listening post sessions, free entry to pools, improved RV friendly facilities, a focus on customer service and economic growth”.
For those who can’t attend the face to face sessions, live Q & A sessions with the Mayor and CEO will take place via Council’s Facebook page, the first of which is happening this Monday 1 March at 5:30pm. Residents can also share their ideas via the have your say page on Council’s website or by collecting and filling out a postcard from one of our customer service centres. Final submissions should be received by the end of March.
“I can’t stress enough how important it is to share your thoughts with us now. If ideas and strategies aren’t on our radar in this planning stage, then it’s very unlikely that they will find their way into a Council budget in the next four years, so now is the time to have your say!” Cr Colliton said.
Community session dates are available here.
For more information about the development of the Council Plan and how you can participate, visit www.sthgrampians.vic.gov.au/haveyoursay