The two-week induction is over, with all Councillors finding out a (lot!) more about how local government works from the inside, how Surf Coast Shire is structured and likes to do things, an overview of major/significant activities and projects under way, and a road map of what we Councillors will be getting stuck into over the next 6-9 months.
The high-priority items are;
- the 2025-2026 Budget, for which preparations begin now with a view to having it all done by June 2025 - including opportunities for stakeholders (ie. probably you!) to review and provide input. Be sure to take these opportunities, because this is likely to affect community life around you in some form or another.
- the 2025-2029 4 Year Council Plan, which is also getting under way now with a series of Shire pop-ups in various towns aiming to gather ideas, suggestions, thoughts, directions and priorities. Shire staff will be at these pop-ups, and usually a Councillor or two as well. For Winchelsea, the December Community Market will have a stall (10am-1pm), and then another pop-up takes place at Cafe La Hoot on Monday 9th December, 10am-12pm. Please come and see us!
We've also all been assigned to various committees and organisations to continue important relationships both within the Shire and more broadly to other Councils such as G21. I'll be representing Council on the Positive Ageing Advisory Committee, which is all about evidence, ideas and community input on how Council can best create an age friendly Surf Coast Shire - where older people are valued, supported, and empowered to live well. I'm additionally a 'sub' for Cr Libby Stapleton for the Municipal Association of Victoria, the legislated peak body for local government in Victoria.