Have your say: Council Plan, Financial Plan & Asset Plan

Council Plan: The Council Plan is our most important strategic document. The Council Plan informs all our work, decision making and strategic direction over the next 4 years. It also helps to make sure that our everyday work is aligned with realising the community’s 10-year vision.

For the first time, our Council Plan will also incorporate Municipal Public Health and Wellbeing Plan so that improving and promoting our community’s health and wellbeing is at the centre of everything we do.

Under the Local Government Act 2020 - all councils must produce a Council Plan every four years.

Community Vision: Developed in collaboration with our community in 2021, the Community Vision describes the community’s aspirations for the future of the Shire until 2031. The Vision feeds directly into the Council Plan and is reflected in its goals and actions that will enable us to achieve the Community Vision.

10-year Financial Plan: A financially sustainable projection that connects how the actions of the Council Plan may be funded to achieve the aspirations in the Community Vision.

10-Year Asset Plan: A roadmap to ensure Council can effectively use our assets including Council buildings, transport assets, stormwater assets and open space.

Thank you!

Thank you to everyone who took the time to share "what matters to you" - via surveys, community conversation events and focus groups - throughout February, March, April and May.

We also heard from 240 young people via class activities and drawing activities.

This is in addition to our consultation with our local secondary schools – Maryborough Education Centre and Highview College. Around 40 students contributed to in-person workshops across both schools in addition to 212 written submissions.

Community members shared what they found to be most valuable that was delivered by the last Council Plan, the top five being:

1. Renewal of pool facilities at Dunolly, Talbot and 25m indoor pool (59%)

2. Street tree planting program (52%)

3. Advocacy for additional rail services (50%)

4. Go-Goldfields – The Nest (45%)

5. Volunteer capacity building (44%)

Community members shared the areas that have had the biggest impact on them and their households health and wellbeing with the top five being:

1. Access to affordable and quality health services (72%)

2. Access to healthy and nutritious food and clean water (56%)

3. Reliable and affordable internet access and phone coverage (56%)

4. Feeling a part of the community (54%)

5. Nature and healthy spaces (53%)

What do you think we do best as a community?

Many people said we’re at our best when we support each other — especially in times of crisis or hardship. There’s also strong appreciation for the volunteers, shared spaces, and the sense of connection that exists across Central Goldfields.

What could we do better? What would you like to see?

Many people want to see more action and follow-through from Council, and more focus on the basics. There’s also a call to listen to all voices, not just the loudest, and to invest fairly across the whole Shire – not just in a few projects or places.

Community members wanted Council to:

■ Fix roads and footpaths and manage trees

■ Maintain and improve infrastructure and assets: 50m pool, Carisbrook Creek, Goldfields Reservoir

■ Strengthen tourism and economic development focus

■ Attract more industry and jobs

■ Provide opportunity for businesses to network and innovate

■ Focus less on niche projects and more on the whole community’s needs

■ Provide more activities and support for families, older adults, and young people

■ Improve healthcare and childcare access and transport between towns

■ Reduce delays and communicate clearly on plans and progress

■ Make the most of local skills, especially from retirees and volunteers

■ Keep successful programs like The Nest going with funding and support

■ Listen to more of the community

■ Transportation/evacuation in emergency situations

■ Strengthen financial and project management

What matters most to children?

Children shared that their favourites activities to do were:

■ Swimming at the pool

■ Energy Breakthrough

■ Playgrounds

■ Shopping

■ Parks

■ Cinema

■ Walking and playing with dogs

■ Lake visits

■ Library

Our Community Panel

In May, 14 members of our community came together over three workshops as part of our Community Panel (pictured below).

Under the Local Government Act we are required to bring together a diverse group of community members to help shape the draft Plan. We sincerely thank the members of the Community Panel for their time, thoughtfulness, passion and commitment.

Their willingness to listen, learn, and work together to shape meaningful recommendations has made a valuable contribution to this process and to the future of our community.

Under the Public Health and Wellbeing Act 2008, all councils are required to prepare a Municipal Public Health and Wellbeing Plan every four years or include strategies to promote public health and wellbeing and address environmental health dangers into the overall Council Plan.

Recognising that the role of health and wellbeing underpins all that Council does, this year, for the first time, our Municipal Public Health and Wellbeing Plan will be integrated into the Council Plan.

Having an integrated plan ensures a high-level engagement and commitment across all Council departments and drives collaborative action for improved health and wellbeing outcomes.

Our Council Plan 2021-2025 was developed by our last group of Councillors and was separated into four areas.

Over the last four years, we’ve been able to deliver on key promises to our community to progress these objectives.

Some examples include:

OUR COMMUNITY'S WELLBEING

• Recognised our volunteers and worked strategically with Maryborough Volunteer Resource Group to build capacity
• Through Go Goldfields supported local leaders to give every child, every chance and created The Nest – a safe and welcoming parenting space

OUR GROWING ECONOMY

• Increased tourism to our iconic Maryborough Railway Station through new look Visitor Centre
• Successful advocacy for additional rail services
• Redevelopment of Central Goldfields Art Gallery to attract high quality exhibitions for locals to enjoy and boost tourism

OUR SPACES AND PLACES

• Implemented tree planting program
• Construction of Maryborough Skate and Scooter Park
• Renewal of pool facilities retiling of indoor 50-metre pool and equipment upgrades at Dunolly and Talbot pools

LEADING CHANGE

• Establishment of our first Youth Council
• Formalised our commitment to reconciliation through adoption of Reconciliation Action Plan
• Development of our first Climate Action Plan in partnership with community
• Improved variety of communication to the community including seasonal Community Update magazine