How do you want the future to look?

Key themes have been earmarked following community consultation to develop a vision to guide Mount Gambier City Council’s strategic planning process for the next 10 years – Mount Gambier 2035.

In the initial phase of the project, council engaged with the community late last year to hear what residents collectively value, what they want Mount Gambier to be known for, and the opportunities to embrace or challenges to overcome as we approach 2035.

City of Mount Gambier CEO Sarah Philpott said council has now reviewed the feedback received and identified key themes for further exploration with key stakeholders and community members as part of a targeted consultation and engagement process.

The key themes raised:

• A city with considered population targets, achieving sustainable, high-quality services, opportunity and activity.
• A city committed to preserving and enhancing our environment through sustainability and custodianship.
• A proud, inclusive and welcoming city with known values and community connection.
• A safe and supportive city with a focus on the health and wellbeing of its people.
• A vibrant and creative city, with a living narrative, that owns and celebrates its rich cultural identity.
• A thriving and resilient city which elevates its profile, based on its unique environmental and economic landscape.
• A well-planned and interconnected city with robust infrastructure supporting sustainable growth.

“We thank everyone who took the time to speak with a member of our team at one of the community drop-in sessions we held, and all those who submitted feedback via a post card or hard-copy survey,” Mc Philpott said.

The CEO also commended the local young people who provided submissions for the ‘Young Thinkers’ competition. Entries illustrated what local children love about Mount Gambier and what they would like to see in the city in the future.

“It was clear that our youth want fun and active things to do with their friends and family, both indoors and outdoors,” Ms Philpott said. “They also mentioned things like electronic signage around the Blue Lake/Warwar with translations in different languages, the need for homeless shelters to assist those sleeping rough, tree houses, playgrounds, the Library, shopping and ice skating. These ideas will help us to create a better place for our young people in the future.”

Council is now facilitating targeted conversations and interviews with key stakeholders and community members to further explore the themes from phase one. This information will be collated and provided to a community panel to support council in shaping Mount Gambier 2035.

The panel will consider feedback themes and provide recommendations to inform the community vision for Mount Gambier 2035, the strategic priorities for the community and define the cultural identity of the city.

“The opportunity is still available for people to express an interest in being part of the community panel,” Ms Philpott said. “Forty to 50 community members will be independently selected from a pool of those who express an interest to investigate the key themes relating to the future of Mount Gambier.”

Anyone aged over 16 and who lives, works, studies, owns a business in Mount Gambier or is Mount Gambier rate payer is invited to register.

“You don’t need to have any special knowledge about council to join, just an interest in sharing your views and being a voice for your community,” Ms Philpott said.

“As a regional capital, our community extends beyond those who reside and/or pay rates within the City of Mount Gambier. Our community includes those from surrounding towns and areas who come to Mount Gambier to access essential infrastructure, services, business, employment and education and we therefore also want to capture these individuals as part of the process.

“We want the panel to be a forum that reflects the diversity of Mount Gambier. In line with this, people from all walks of life and backgrounds are encouraged to register.”

If you feel you may require assistance in order to support your capacity to participate, please contact us via email at [email protected] or phone (08) 8721 2555 to discuss your specific requirements.

Community members can find out more and register their interest at www.haveyoursaymountgambier.com.au/mountgambier2035