General News
7 November, 2025
Council adopt four-year plan
Central Goldfields Shire Council has adopted its guiding document for the next four years promising a strong focus on economic growth, community wellbeing and financial sustainability.
Councillors adopted their four-year council plan at the October council meeting following months of community consultation.
Mayor Grace La Vella said the Council Plan 2025/29 followed months of community consultation.
“This combined plan has listened to the voices, ideas and priorities of our community,” she said.
Over 1000 residents contributed to the plan through surveys, workshops, schools and youth engagement, creative activities, and deliberative processes.
“We are especially grateful to the members of our community panel, who came together to deliberate on what matters most and how council can best respond with the resources available,” she said.
Cr La Vella said local feedback encouraged council to focus on the basics.
“We heard a clear call for greater action, improved follow-through, and a more equitable approach to decision making that reflects the whole shire, not just a few voices or places,” she said.
“This sits well with council’s need to review services and minimise expenditure wherever possible to ensure long-term financial sustainability.”
Councillor Anna de Villiers said the current council chose to expand their themes from four to six.
“The new cohort decided to make it into six themes which enables us to have more clarity in terms of what we want to achieve,” she said.
Each theme is broken up into objectives which have priority areas that guide council’s decision making.
The six themes are:
- Economic growth and prosperity
- Healthy, connected and safe communities
- Informed and engaged community
- Infrastructure that supports growth and liveability
- Resilient and sustainable community
- Sound leadership and financial management
The council plan is also the shire’s first to incorporate the Municipal Public Health and Wellbeing Plan.
Cr La Vella said this meant community and wellbeing were prioritised.
“Council acknowledges the importance of social connection, inclusive spaces, affordable services, gender equity, and healthy environments in creating a stronger, safer and more vibrant Central Goldfields,” she said.
“We extend our thanks to the many staff, councillors, partners and residents who have contributed their insights and efforts to help bring this plan to life.
“We look forward to working together with the community to realise the aspirations of this plan, guided by optimism, grounded in trust, and focused on sound financial management in a difficult rate-capped environment.”
Council also adopted the Financial Plan 2025-2035 and Asset Plan 2025.
The documents chart a strategic course for fiscal sustainability and infrastructure investment over the next decade.
The Financial Plan maps a path towards achieving an operating surplus within five years, requiring annual savings in operating expenditure of $600,000.
All the endorsed plans can be found online at www.engage.cgoldshire.vic.gov.au/plans