Chat with councillors over a coffee

OFFERING residents opportunities to speak to local government representatives in person, further Shire councillor conversation posts and coffee with your councillors events are approaching.

Saturday, 1 May will see the next councillor conversation post at the Golden Plains Farmers’ Market in Bannockburn, from 8.30am to 12.30pm, before a Coffee with Your Councillors day the following weekend.

From 9am to 10.30am on Saturday, 8 May, councillors will be at the Scarsdale General Store, the Enfield Community Hall, and the Shelford Public Hall.

The Through the Gate Café in Smythesdale, Dereel Hall, and Murgheboluc Hall will host councillors from 11am to 12.30pm, and from 1.30pm to 3pm, councillors will be at the Garibaldi Public Hall, Rokewood Memorial Hall, and Batesford Community Play Space.

Cr Owen Sharkey said both upcoming events will have a specific focus, while “building rapport.”

“They’ll be a little bit more exciting, talking about the council plan and budget which always raise good discussion in the community,” he said.

For those that attend the sessions, the “main benefit” from Cr Sharkey’s perspective is that residents “get an understanding of the other side.”

“You do get people coming up with a completely different understanding of our powers and abilities, but when you have a conversation, they understand why it’s so challenging for council to do things.

“People are grateful that we come out and speak to them, and there are a vast array of issues that are raised. The last time… there were some really thought-provoking ideas around rubbish,” Cr Sharkey said.

At recent coffee and conversation posts, Cr Clayton Whitfield said the Shire has received feedback surrounding key themes.

“Issues such as roads maintenance and connected transport were common. We were able to get really great input for specific areas like liveability, sustainability, and waste management, which was a big issue,” he said.

“Protecting native vegetation and cultural heritage was mentioned, and health and wellbeing, including localised mental health support was raised.”

Covering nine townships, Cr Whitfield said the previous Coffee with Your Councillors events were “a great success,” and as a new local government representative, he valued meeting, and directly hearing from residents.

“I’d encourage more residents to come along to the next opportunity and have a chat face-to-face if they haven’t met us yet, because the input they provide directly affects our four-year council plan, which also stems from the 2040 Vision, that was heavily researched.

“Previous listening posts, perhaps at a footy game for example, hadn’t garnered a lot of attention, whereas this dedicated space to raise issues really does get people down,” he said.

“Without a middleman, we are hearing it as plain as it can get, and that’s the best kind of information I could have. The more information we get, the better, and I’m really excited to take it, enact our four-year plan, and take action across the Shire.”

An online councillor conversation post will run in August.