Country living with City access – feedback is in on Golden Plains 2020 vision

THE community has had its say on what Golden Plains Shire might be like in twenty years, and the outlook is the same as it is now, only better.

Over 530 people took part in the community survey that will be used to chart a course forward by the municipality.

High on the list was retaining the Shire’s rural feel, something mayor Cr Owen Sharkey said that was a fine line to walk.

“It clearly highlights the challenge that’s ahead of peri-urban councils like ours where people come out here, they do want to retain the that country lifestyle but you can also see a bit of a contradiction to that as they do want to see more facilities, infrastructure, local shopping opportunities and amenities,” he said. “That’s probably a hard balancing act for us.

“The 2020 community vision is one of the most exciting documents I’ve seen come through on council. It’s just such a massive vision and I know the community have got passionately involved with it.”

Also on the list of things people would like to see are increased employment, shopping, events and activity opportunities, as well as better public transport connections and improved roads and infrastructure.

When it came to what people loved about the Shire, the rural lifestyle again was high in the list. Other issues close to the heart included the community as a whole, proximity to major centres like Ballarat, Geelong and Melbourne and the activities and facilities the Shire offered.

The 2020 vision survey was conducted between mid-February and late-March and via several channels including online input and postcards that were circulated throughout the community.

Nearly 70 per cent of the respondents lived in the south of the Shire, just under 60 per cent who took part were women, and under 18 year olds represented the largest single age group with about 30 per cent of all feedback coming from that cohort.

“It’s something to be really mindful off,” Cr Sharkey said. “Young people are probably the most important people in this. Those 16 year olds in 20 years’ time are going to be 36. So hearing what they want is really important.

“The youth space is an area that needs to be highlighted in the future. Things like getting more activities for them and more job opportunities and employment.”

To make the goals in the vision reality, respondents suggested a number of ways forward including volunteering, supporting events and generally being active in the community and buying into feedback opportunities.

The information contained in the preliminary report will be used by the municipality create a full community vision document and inform council planning.