Community input results in town action plan

WINCHELSEA residents have had their say on a Community Action Plan for their town, which has been finalised this month.

The Community Plan includes a shared vision and implementable actions that locals feel motivated to act on themselves, aimed at empowering local residents.

The plan identified Winchelsea’s community vision as being: “Winchelsea is a welcoming and thriving township with a rich cultural heritage and country feel. The residents of Winchelsea benefit from a strong connection to the beautiful Barwon River and rural hinterland, whilst still connected to local and regional learning, employment, civic and cultural experiences.”

Its identified key themes were:

• Connecting our community
• Actively building resilience
• Linking community organisations and networks
• Celebrating the Barwon River
• Retaining country authenticity, and
• Valuing a rich cultural landscape.

The Winchelsea Arboretum Tree Trail, returning a Christmas Carols event, engaging with people new to the area, activating Winchelsea Shire Hall, a youth hub and a makeover of the town’s industrial estate were identified as priority projects.

The Surf Coast Shire supported development of three-year plans for residents in recent months.

The shire provided funding support but left development of the plan to community members and an independent facilitator.

The plan’s development involved creation of a community working group and community surveys to gauge residents’ top priorities and ambitions for their town.

A similar planning process is underway for Moriac, and the community model is based on a program first used for deans Marsh and district in 2019.

Residents can get access to the plan by emailing [email protected]