Thank you for Council Plan, Community Vision input

Published on 02 March 2021

Gannawarra Shire Council thanks all residents who provided feedback during the recent Council Plan and Community Vision engagement period.

Conducted between 18 January and 12 February, the engagement period was the first step in the development of the Draft Gannawarra Shire Council Plan 2021-2025, which Council will seek further community feedback later this year.

“The development of the new Gannawarra Shire Council Plan is one of many important tasks undertaken during the first year of each Council term, as it acts as a ‘road map’ to focus Council’s strategic direction and activities during the next four years,” Mayor Charlie Gillingham said.

“Community input is pivotal in determining these goals, with feedback received ensuring the Gannawarra Shire Council Plan represents the current and future opportunities of our region.”

The engagement campaign featured the following components:

• Fifteen in-person community sessions held at various locations throughout the Gannawarra, with 252 people taking the opportunity to engage with Councillors and Council staff;
• Discussion forums on Council’s website, which generated 125 comments across the four key questions;
• Conversation boards placed at eight locations throughout the Gannawarra, with residents providing 85 comments;
• Hard copy surveys, with 75 copies completed during the engagement period; and
• Five direct emails to Council.

“Through the engagement process, residents identified that our natural environment and community/lifestyle are the Gannawarra’s strengths, with access to services, such as health, early years and recreational infrastructure, being a challenge,” Mayor Gillingham said.

“Thanks to this feedback, residents have identified tourism, jobs growth, active recreation and inclusion as key themes for the Gannawarra’s vision during the next 15 years.

“Council will use all feedback received to develop the Draft Gannawarra Shire Council Plan 2021-2025, which we look forward to presenting to the community for further input later this year.”