General News
25 February, 2025
Council seek feedback on local priorities
The Central Goldfields Shire Council are asking the community one big question, what matters to you, to help shape their upcoming plans.
The local council are seeking an initial round of feedback to help shape the Council Plan. Currently in development, the plan will set out key priorities for council over the next four years.
Central Goldfields Shire mayor Grace La Vella said delivering the 2025-2029 Council Plan is an important step, one that should be considered with the community.
“This is when we need to think about the future of our shire — together with you, our community. The Council Plan sets out the key priorities that council will focus on over the next four years,” she said.
“Developing our Council Plan is a balancing act for us as councillors. We must consider the diversity of interests and needs of all members of our community when deciding where to spend ratepayer money.”
Feedback from the community will also be used to inform the 2025-2026 Council Budget, and that their work fulfills the Central Goldfields Shire Community Vision 2031, the 10-Year Financial Plan and 10-Year Asset Plan.
Cr La Vella flagged the importance of receiving diverse perspectives to reflect the diversity of the shire.
“Our aim is to reach out to as many people as possible — whether you are a business owner, student, farmer, retiree, parent, volunteer — it doesn’t matter, we just encourage everyone to take the chance to be involved,” she said.
“This is your invitation to share with us — what matters to you? The reality is that as a council — we can’t do everything — but we want to ensure that what we do, matters.”
The first round of feedback is invited until March 28 and can be provided via:
In-person drop in sessions:
Monday, March 24. Maryborough Goldfields Shopping Complex (outside Coles/Kmart): 3.30 to 5.30 pm
Tuesday, March 25. Dunolly Bakery: 3.30 to 5.30 pm
Friday, March 28. Talbot Post Office: 3.30 to 5.30 pm
Community Survey: Available online at www.engage.cgoldshire.vic.gov.au/whatmatters or as a hard copy from council’s Customer Service Centre, or Maryborough and Dunolly libraries, returnable to any council location or councillor. There is also a children’s activity sheet for the youngest residents.
Community Panel: Twenty community members are invited to participate in three, three hour, in person workshops to learn about what council does, discuss priorities and contribute ideas: http://www.engage.cgoldshire.vic.gov.au/whatmatters
Contact your local councillor and share your feedback.
The draft Council Plan will be available for community feedback in July.