Southern Grampians Shire Council is pleased to advise the Draft Council Plan 2017-2021 is now available for community feedback.
The draft plan was developed through detailed consultation and discussion with Councillors, the community and Council’s Senior Leadership Team. Over 230 people attended the community engagement sessions held throughout February and March, across 10 townships and shared more than 950 ideas for the future of the Shire.
Mayor Cr Mary-Ann Brown encouraged the community to have their say on Council’s draft four-year plan.
“We were so pleased with the contributions and the enthusiasm from residents throughout the initial engagement process”.
“Having gone through the many community ideas submitted, and workshopping these with Councillors and Council staff, we now welcome public submissions on the Draft Plan” Cr Brown said.
The Council Plan is the key document that drives the strategic direction of Council. It seeks to outline where Council and the community will be by 2021 and how the Council will achieve those outcomes.
The Council Plan must include the strategic objectives of the Council, strategies for achieving these objectives, and indicators for monitoring the achievement of the objectives.
This draft Plan identifies Council’s five fundamental priority areas for the next four years. These priorities have formed the Themes of the Council Plan:
1. Support our Community
2. Develop our Regional Economy and Businesses
3. Plan for our Built Environment
4. Promote our Natural Environment
5. Provide Governance and Leadership
Under each Theme Councillors, Council staff and the community have identified objectives and strategies to guide Councillors and Council staff over the next four years and developed performance measures to help monitor how well Council is achieving these objectives.
Any person wishing to make a submission must do so in writing by Monday 29 May 2017. Submissions should be addressed to:
Chief Executive Officer
Southern Grampians Shire Council
111 Brown Street (Locked Bag 685)
Hamilton Vic 3300
OR council@sthgrampians.vic.gov.au
A person making a submission is entitled to request in the submission that they wish to appear in person, or to be represented by a person specified in the submission, at a meeting to be heard in support of that submission.
Any person requesting to appear in person or to be represented by a person specified in his or her submission will be notified of the day, time and place of the meeting of Council determined by the Council to hear submissions.
All submissions will be considered in accordance with section 223 of the Act.
Submitters should note that Council is required to make available for public inspection submissions received in accordance with section 223 for a period of 12 months.
“It is vitally important that the community is involved in finalising our priorities for the next four years. We invite all residents to view the document prepared by Council and have their say on the future of the Southern Grampians Shire” Cr Brown concluded.
Following consideration of feedback received, Council will resolve to adopt the Council Plan at its Meeting on Wednesday 28 June, 2017.
Copies of the proposed Council Plan 2017-2021 are available at Council’s offices at 111 Brown Street, 1 Market Place Hamilton or on the council website www.sthgrampians.vic.gov.au