Mayor's Message 10 May 2024
Hello everyone,
I want to start today’s message with a huge congratulations to Beechworth on being awarded the Keep Australia Beautiful National Tidy Town of the Year. This is an incredible achievement and one that is testament to the hard work and dedication of the volunteers from the Beechworth Tidy Towns Committee, Iris Mannik and Anne Wilson. Iris and Anne’s community spirit and commitment to showcasing their beloved town is to be admired and we’re lucky to have such wonderful volunteers driving such positive outcomes for our communities.
As you’ll read further in this edition, this win was made even more special with a number of Council initiatives being recognised, as well as Beechworth Honey, so a big congratulations to everyone involved in these outstanding achievements.
On Wednesday evening, I, along with the CEO and members of our Tourism team, welcomed the Honourable Helen Haines, Federal Member for Indi to Beechworth to tour the newly opened Beechworth Courthouse Kelly Trials. Dr Haines was extremely complimentary of the exhibition, particularly the balance between the heritage building and the contemporary cultural heritage experience, as well as the support it has had from both Kelly Gang descendants and Victoria Police. This feedback, along with the huge number of people that have come through the doors since opening, as well as those that are booked to do so, creates a strong foundation to attract funding for progressing the historic precinct masterplan, which was adopted by Council in 2021. We currently have a grant application before the Federal Government through its Regional Precincts and Partnership Program to do just this, and while the outcome is yet to be determined, I’m hopeful we’ll be sharing good news soon.
We note local media reporting that with the release of the State Budget, the Rutherglen Main Street Truck bypass was relegated to a “discontinued” category. We have made enquiry of the Minister for Roads’ office, and are advised that no final decision has been made on the remaining grant funds. Please be assured we continue to strongly advocate that safety improvements in Main Street are needed as a matter of urgency, and we will continue to ask that the State Government honours the funding commitment it has made.
Finally, I’d like to sign off today with my best wishes to all of the Mothers, Mother-figures and even the Fur-Mums who will be celebrated on Sunday.
Enjoy your special day, you’ve earned it.
Sophie.