SUCCESSFUL applicants in the first Golden Plains Shire Community Strengthening Grants round for 2021 were announced at the most recent council meeting on Tuesday, 29 June.<\/p>\n
Inverleigh Progress Association is receiving $10,000 to replace open-space lawn mowing equipment, Inverleigh Primary School\u2019s gardening group has been allocated $1600 for raised beds for a vegie patch, while the Inverleigh Cemetery Trust has been given $2930 for seating.<\/p>\n
Linton and District Progress Association\u2019s Community Safety Plan Connecting Community and Leaders has been allocated $6000. The group has also been granted $7024 for community seating and gardening equipment.<\/p>\n
Music at the Market has received a $2300 injection via Smythesdale Community Coordinators, $5795 has gone to the Smythesdale Arts & Music Fiesta, and $800 has gone to the town\u2019s Progress Association for shower ventilation work.<\/p>\n
Bannockburn Inclusive\u2019s Sorrento trip for the elderly and people with disabilities has been supported by a $1600 boost, Golden Plains Trail Riders has received $640 for safety equipment, Meredith History Interest Group\u2019s Connecting the Past while looking to the Future project got an injection of $3800, while the Lethbridge Public Hall will replace ovens with $2042.<\/p>\n
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Satisfaction survey<\/strong><\/p>\n The results of a Local Government Community Satisfaction Survey have been released.<\/p>\n Director community services Lisa Letic said interviews with 400 Shire residents were conducted by phone earlier this year.<\/p>\n \u201cThe survey is designed to provide insights into community views on the importance and performance of some of council\u2019s services and infrastructure,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n \u201cThe 2021 results indicate that the community perceptions of council performance have improved marginally from 2020… with sealed local roads improving the most by three index points.<\/p>\n \u201cMinor negative movement was recorded in index results scores for consultation and engagement, and customer service.\u201d<\/p>\n Cr Brett Cunningham said the survey has been an important process, and the results are a valuable document.<\/p>\n \u201cIt allows council to receive totally independently sourced feedback and insights from our community,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n \u201cThe survey results for our council\u2019s overall performance… rates significantly lower than the Victorian statewide average.<\/p>\n \u201cThe results identify key performance areas and individual service areas that require attention and action. Hopefully… these areas identified by the community… will begin to be addressed by this year\u2019s budget and by future decisions of this current council group.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Development permit refused<\/strong><\/p>\n Councillors refused to grant a permit for the removal of native vegetation and a dwelling at 37E Piggoreet Road, Piggoreet; a Crown allotment.<\/p>\n The proposal was not appropriate for the \u2018farming zone,\u2019 and went against the Shire\u2019s planning strategy, which states development inconsistent with agriculture should remain in residential precincts, and discouraged in farm areas to ensure land protection.<\/p>\n Cr Owen Sharkey said the applicant showed \u201ca huge amount of depth and knowledge,\u201d but wanted council to \u201cerrs on the side of caution.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIf we were to support this… we\u2019d be supporting something without notifying some of the neighbours, which I personally feel very uncomfortable with,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n \u201cThis is a big application; bigger than us as a council. It\u2019s one I see going off to VCAT.\u201d<\/p>\n Cr Clayton Whitfield empathised with the applicant.<\/p>\n \u201cThere was a permit held once before. It would indicate that it would be available again, but unfortunately, the VCAT decisions would indicate otherwise,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n \u201cIn allowing residential development to spread out like that, it would be a burden to council when it comes to maintenance and infrastructure, and I think we need to consider that.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Report on roads<\/strong><\/p>\n THE Victorian Auditor-General\u2019s Office\u2019s Maintaining Local Roads report has been released, comparing municipalities\u2019 road maintenance costs.<\/p>\n Director infrastructure and development Phil Josipovic said VAGO audited five council areas.<\/p>\n \u201cVAGO suggests this council underspends by 41.1 per cent on its total network cost,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n \u201cThis takes into consideration the road network size, the traffic volume and the cost modifiers which pick up on local conditions, such as availability of materials, climate conditions, etcetera.<\/p>\n \u201cAccording to the VAGO report, Golden Plains Shire spends 62 per cent of total roads maintenance expenditure reactively, where the average for similar councils is 33 per cent, and the sector average is 25 per cent.\u201d<\/p>\n Mr Josipovic said the report is based on financial figures between 2016 and 2019.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Building work for Bowden<\/strong><\/p>\n Bowden Corporation has been awarded the building tenders for the Golden Plains Youth Hub and the Bannockburn Soccer Female Friendly Changeroom.<\/p>\n The Youth Hub project is worth $393,189.60, while the soccer facility works will cost $878,398.62.<\/p>\n Cr Gavin Gamble said he sees the value of the Hub and its services in connecting young people from different backgrounds and schools.<\/p>\n \u201cThis is a way of getting them to have a common ground. There are special challenges for young people living in our Shire, particularly with issues like loneliness and lack of social connections,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n Cr Sharkey said the Bannockburn Soccer Female Friendly Changeroom project is exciting.<\/p>\n \u201cThis is something that we have in our priority projects,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n