Council Meeting wrap - October 2021
Published on 21 October 2021
The awarding of more than $334,000 in funding for community projects and events and the adoption of key Council documents highlighted Gannawarra Shire Council’s October 2021 meeting.
Held virtually via Zoom and broadcast via Council’s website, the meeting featured the announcement of Council’s 2021 Community Grants recipients, with 24 initiatives ranging from community celebrations to facility upgrades to share in $334,594.61 of funding.
Council received 32 applications for funding during a five-week period, with these requests to support more than $621,000 worth of projects across three funding streams – Major Community Project Fund, Community Support Grants and Community Events Grants.
Three major documents – the 2021 Annual Report, 2021/22-2030/31 Financial Plan and Creative Gannawarra Strategy 2021-2025 – were also received or adopted during the meeting.
The 2021 Annual Report features a range of information about the Gannawarra and Council’s achievements during 2020/21. The document also includes a variety of photographs and images which showcase the region and community support and services delivered by Council to the community. The document also features Council’s Audited Financial Statements and Audited Performance Statement for the 2020/21 financial year
A requirement of the Local Government Act 2020, the 2021/22-2030/31 Financial Plan is built on four key strategic actions - balancing the budget; maintaining assets; ensuring a low level of debt; and ensuring cash assets are maintained over the life of the 10-year plan.
The Creative Gannawarra Strategy 2021-2025 will guide Council’s support of the creative sector, including arts, culture and creative activations, during the next four years. The accompanying Public Art policy will provide an accountable decision-making process about the design, placement and conservation of artworks on Council-managed land within the Gannawarra Shire.
Two major capital works improvements will also proceed in the coming months following Council approval – the Leitchville Recreation Reserve lighting upgrade and Stage 2 of the Cohuna Waterfront Development – following decisions made at the meeting.
Leitchville Recreation Reserve users will benefit from ENEL X’s proposal to upgrade lighting currently operational at the facility’s main oval to a four-tower system featuring energy efficient, LED lighting and smart control functionality. The upgrade, which is to be completed at no capital cost to Council, will enable the facility to host night football and cricket matches.
Meanwhile, Stage 2 of the Cohuna Waterfront Development will proceed after CJ & BT McLoughlan was awarded the tender for the $1.196 million project. Supported by the Federal Government’s Regional Growth Fund, the project involves improvements to Cohuna’s CBD Garden Park and surrounding areas with new pavement, lighting upgrades, landscaping and the installation of a viewing jetty that can cater for outdoor dining events.
Other outcomes from the meeting included:
- The endorsement of four reviewed policies – Information Privacy and Health Records, Asset Management, Special Rates and Charges Scheme, and Public Transparency;
- The delegating of a range of powers, duties and functions to Council staff holding, acting in or performing the duties of the offices or positions referred to in the respective Instruments of Delegation; and
- The adoption of the draft CEO Employment and Remuneration Policy.
Matters relating to development of the Draft Aquatic Strategy and the integrity of electronic communications between Councillors and the community were also addressed on the night during Question Time.
For more information, including a link to the video from this meeting and minutes, please visit www.gsc.vic.gov.au/meetings