For another couple of weeks, Surf Coast Shire is gathering feedback, ideas, suggestions and directions to feed into the mandatory 4-year Council Plan that must be developed and published by October this year. I want to see more Winchelsea Ward contributions.
For now, we are running under the previous Council’s 4-year Plan. State Government make Council Plans a requirement, including consultation with the various stakeholders and interested parties - in particular and especially the ratepayers of the Shire.
This 4-year Plan is no shelfware that is set and filed. It guides the strategies, directions, and decisions of the 9 Councillors. Obviously every issue and decision is considered on its own merits, but the Council Plan very much helps to shape where things go because it is based on what the community at large has said matters.
At various points, progress towards the priorities identified in the Council Plan are assessed and reported on - to you and to State Government.
The Council Plan is one of a suite of plans that State Government have decided have to be put together, maintained, and followed.
4 years is a long time. Now is the time for you to chip in with your own thoughts about what is important at the local government level, and now is the time for you to say what you think should change.
Our current Council Plan is available at surfcoast.vic.gov.au/About-us/Council/Policies-plans-strategies-and-reports/Council-Plan.
It consists of the following Themes, each with its own strategies to achieve it;
- First Nations Reconciliation - Reconciliation with Traditional Owners and other Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in our community through respectful engagement, acknowledgement and collaboration
- A Healthy Connected Community - foster a thriving, connected, healthy community
- Environmental Leadership - Protect our environment and help our community to thrive through environmental leadership
- Sustainable Growth - Growth is not at the expense of environmental values or the unique heritage and character of our townships
- Robust and Diverse Economy - Our economy is sustainable and supports a diversity of local enterprises and people
- Arts and Creativity - Acknowledge the value of arts and creativity and nurture their growth
- Accountable and Viable Council - Council has financial capacity to deliver services now and into the future and decision making is informed by community views.
So - over to you! What matters? What do YOU want to change, add, take off? See below for a link to a survey - there’s a survey for individuals, a survey for under 16’s and a survey for organisations. Be sure to add your voice for hinterland perspectives.