Have your say on city’s future planning

The City of Mount Gambier wants to know how residents see the future of our city as they develop a community vision to inform their Strategic Plan to 2035.

As South Australia’s regional capital, Mount Gambier serves as a central point of access to essential infrastructure, services, business, employment and education for local residents and those who live in surrounding areas.

Under the Local Government Act 1999, councils are required to review their strategic management plans within two years after a general local government election.

City of Mount Gambier Mayor Lynette Martin OAM said a lot had changed in Mount Gambier since the current community vision was developed in 2011 and the current strategic plan was created in 2019.

“We’ve been through a global health pandemic and delivered council’s largest ever infrastructure project Wulanda Recreation and Convention Centre,” Mayor Martin said. “It is now time to look forward with our community to develop a new vision to guide council’s planning and decision making.

“Council wants to engage with Mount Gambier residents, students, workers, businesses and visitors to hear what we collectively value, what we want to be known for, and what we can do together as we approach 2035.

City of Mount Gambier CEO Sarah Philpott saida community vision was a collective agreement about what we want the community to be like in the future.

“It is a shared commitment between everyone who lives, works in, and enjoys our city,”” Ms Philpott said. “Everyone’s ideas matter and we welcome input from all parts of the community to shape the Mount Gambier 2035 strategic plan.”

Mount Gambier households will receive a postcard in the mail seeking ideas and feedback on the following questions:

• What do you value about our city?

• How do we want others to describe our community and our city by 2035?

• As we approach 2035, what are the opportunities to embrace, or challenges to overcome as a community?

Completed postcards can be returned to the Civic Centre, the Mount Gambier Library, Riddoch Arts & Cultural Centre, Visitor Information Centre, Waste Transfer Station or the ReUse Market.

“We are excited to explore the first phase of the engagement process with our community to hear about their aspirations for our city for the next decade or so,” Ms Philpott said.

The community is also encouraged to share thoughts and ideas at a drop-in session:

• Cave Garden/Thugi Summer Markets – Sunday, December 10 from 10am–2pm

• Blue Lake Carols – Mount Gambier Railway Lands – Sunday, December 17 from 4.30–7.30pm

Young visionaries are urged to participate via the ‘Young Thinkers’ competition to share their thoughts and ideas on the future of Mount Gambier.

“This provides our young people with the opportunity to share their ideas by writing or drawing what they love about our city and what would make Mount Gambier a better place for them,” Mayor Martin said.

The first phase of the Mount Gambier 2035 project will end in December this year.

Key themes from the consultation process will be further analysed and explored early next year.

You can register your interest to work with council to fine tune the themes raised throughout the community consultation process. This will include focus groups and a community panel.

The Mount Gambier 2035 strategic plan will be submitted to council for final endorsement in June next year. For further details about Mount Gambier 2035 visit www.haveyoursaymountgambier.com.au