Mayoral Matters - June 2023

Published on 26 May 2023

Mayoral Matters – June 2023

It has been a busy month for Yarriambiack as we transcend into the end of financial year processes.

CEO Tammy and I have been travelling around, with the assistance of Progress Associations and equivalent committees to visit each town and discuss the upcoming 2023/24 budget and priority projects. This has been a fantastic initiative and we’ve seen great numbers in attendance to speak with us about Council-related services. Only last week we were hosted by the Woomelang and District Development Association where 30 community members attended.

The 2023/24 Draft Budget is now available for public review and feedback as we continue our community consultations. I would like to highlight the fact that Community contributions of $541,000 goes to our swimming pools, progress associations, recreation reserves, halls and weir pools. As we’ve celebrated National Volunteers Week during 15 – 21 May, I’d like to thank the volunteers who give their time to their communities to assist council to deliver services within this space. 

Woomelang also hosted ABC Wimmera’s Rebecca Lowe and Sue Dunstan for a live broadcast in the open dining area next to Woomelang Store. It was fantastic to hear locals such as Joe Collins speaking on behalf of their community about the community’s engagement with projects such as their mobile silo art, the railway station renovations and the bowling green upgrades. The broadcast was followed by the ‘Coffee with a Cop’ initiative Council is supporting with Victoria Police.

We’re delighted to announce the service providers who will be transitioning into delivering services under the Commonwealth Home Support Program. These organisations are reputable and already established within our communities, and have the appropriate skills and experience to take on the program.  These providers allow for a holistic model of care for our community, which is something that Council just couldn’t provide. Having home support care with organisations that provide acute, aged and other in-home care services, it makes sense that these organisations take on the program. Clients have been notified and we look forward to working with the providers during the transition process.

There has been lots of activity in the waste and recycling space, with unused recycling skips/containers earmarked to be repurposed for use in Council’s proposed community recycling hubs. This project has already raised positive attention in the communities. The four skip bins to be recommissioned cleaned and prepared for use as council commitment to increasing the opportunity to recycle beyond the curb side system in our smaller towns.  This will also include hard rubbish collections in our smaller communities. When recycling, remember that sorted recycling is free to dispose of at our transfer stations. This is an exciting time for waste and recycling in our communities, so stay tuned for more information.

As we head into June, I encourage all community members to visit our website at www.yarriambiack.vic.gov.au and have a look at our Draft Budget, Draft Revenue and Rating Plan, Access and Inclusion Survey and Draft Footpath Hierarchy. This is your time to provide feedback on these important documents that help shape our Council and community.