Council & Business
4 September, 2023
Action plan quarterly report shows project progress
The latest update for the Central Goldfields Shire Council’s action plan has shown a significant increase in the number of completed projects with more than half of the total initiatives for the year wrapped up. At last month’s ordinary meeting...
The latest update for the Central Goldfields Shire Council’s action plan has shown a significant increase in the number of completed projects with more than half of the total initiatives for the year wrapped up.
At last month’s ordinary meeting, councillors noted the progress made, in the fourth quarter, on the council’s 2022-23 action plan — which outlines the objectives and goals the organisation set out to achieve within the financial year.
According to the report tabled at the meeting, there are 132 actions identified in the plan out of which, 17 relate to council’s focus on advocacy, 44 are ongoing initiatives and the other 71 fall under new projects.
Compared to the third quarter, the report notes, the number of completed items has jumped from 17 percent to 55 percent — with 73 projects receiving the green light this quarter, up from the previous total of 23.
Out of those remaining, 46 are currently in progress, seven are not due to start and six are not progressing.
Initiatives completed include various advocacy and funding matters, the construction of the Maryborough Skate and Scooter Park and finishing the Carisbrook Recreation Reserve upgrade project, while underway are projects like implementing major upgrades to the Maryborough Heritage Outdoor Pool Complex and a review of heritage overlays in Maryborough.
The list of projects not progressing includes supporting the delivery of MASH solar and battery information sessions as the program is not being rolled out by the external supplier, supporting Dunolly to become an RV friendly town which is not listed as a current priority and working on a waterway management plan for the Carisbrook Governance Committee, with consideration set to be given to the initiative in the 2023-24 action plan, according to the report.
Speaking at the meeting, councillor Liesbeth Long said the progress report provided an opportunity to get more insight and clarity on the projects.
“It is always a pleasure to see this report on the agenda — it is an easy reference document of what the council is currently involved in and provides a deeper understanding,” she said.
“When I look at the quarterly progress report and especially this month’s report, I’m always in wonderment of how many projects are currently active in our shire. I especially enjoy seeing the green light because that shows how much improvement has been made in the last quarter.
“I’m happy to move that this report be noted and I’m already looking forward to the next one.”
Cr Chris Meddows-Taylor said the plan also reflected the organisation’s unity towards the betterment of the shire.
“I think it’s a great report,” he said.
“It shows a council working together with staff in a cohesive way [for our community] and that is at the end of the day what any council should hope to achieve.”