Borough releases key documents for public consultation

THE Borough of Queenscliffe is seeking feedback on its draft council plan, which will guide its decision-making over the next four years.

The plan outlines five focus areas, including environmental sustainability, planning and infrastructure, and effective governance, alongside a range of actions to help the borough achieve its community vision.

These actions include supporting initiatives that stop family violence, expanding the borough’s tree canopy, advocating to the state government for improved transport options, and conducting an efficiency review of the council’s operations.

The council plan is one of four draft documents — including a financial plan, asset plan and health and wellbeing strategy — to be released on public execution by the borough this week.

Each of these documents is available to view on the borough’s website and has been informed by the draft council plan.

The draft financial plan projects an average annual surplus of $198,000 over the next 10 years, with $26.7 million to be spent on capital investment, with no borrowings.

It outlines an “efficiency gains” target of 2.5 per cent of the borough’s operating costs between this current financial year and 2029 to help the council maintain its healthy reserve balances.

Cr Isabelle Tolhurst said the draft plan reflected the existing financial environment and acknowledged the need to be “very smart with limited income resources”.

“Sustainability is a perpetual consideration. [The draft financial plan] seeks efficiencies while holding a level of service standard and investment that, under our best assumptions, will continue to support the community.

“It reflects the intent of the draft council plan, the capital works we’ve considered and wish to invest in, and importantly, invests or plans to invest more in asset renewal and maintenance.”

Submissions for each of the four documents can be made in writing to [email protected] or in-person at 50 Learmonth Street, Queenscliff until 4pm on October 14.

A series of workshops providing residents with opportunities to ask questions and share their thoughts will take place in the coming weeks. Details will be published in the borough’s newsletter, on its social media and website, as well as in this masthead.