Mayor's Message 12 July, 2024
Hi everyone,
It’s been a tragic week across our Shire with news that a teenager has died and two others are fighting for life in hospital following a two car collision at Allans Flat on Wednesday.
Our thoughts and deepest condolences go out to the family and friends of those involved and also to our first responders who do an extraordinary job in the most trying of situations.
On Tuesday night, we held the first of four-community visioning drop-in sessions at Barnawartha. Thank you to all who braved a cold winters night to attend, and for sharing your thoughts about the future of the Shire.
These sessions are designed to check-in with the community on whether the aspirations shared with us in 2021 still resonate, or do we need to change tact as we start to plan for the next Council term.
Under the Local Government Act 2020, all Councils must develop a Community Vision with an outlook of at least 10-years that describes the community’s social, economic, cultural, and environmental aspirations for the future.
The Community Vision is Council’s most important strategic document and helps set the scene for what is included in the next Council Plan, which will be adopted by the new Council in June 2025.
Our next drop-in session is in Beechworth on 6 August, followed by Rutherglen on 20 August and Yackandandah on 3 September. I strongly encourage you to attend and help play your part in shaping the future of Indigo Shire.
One of our current Council Plan action items is the development of a public toilet strategy and this week a draft strategy was released for public comment.
We receive lots of feedback about our toilets and we are well aware that many need attention. This strategy will guide the future planning, management and provision of toilets across the Shire as well as help Council prioritise future upgrades and improvements as well as identify locations for new facilities.
Given the level of community interest in our toilets, I strongly encourage you to read the draft strategy and then jump online and participate in the ‘have your say’, which includes dropping a pin on an interactive map of existing facilities or where you believe new toilets are needed. You can read more about this further in this edition.
If you don’t have computer access, head to our Customer Experience centres, libraries or visitor information centres and our friendly staff can help you to participate.
Enjoy your weekend and please stay safe.
Cr Sophie Price.