Wellington to speak at VFF forum tonight

SURF Coast Shire councillor Heather Wellington will be the guest speaker at a roads forum organised by the Victorian Farmers Federation (VFF) to be held tonight (Thursday).

The Better Rural Roads Forum will be held at the Mount Moriac Hotel, where VFF president David Jochinke has invited attendees to discuss “roads, roadside management and Local Council Governance”.

Cr Wellington, who represents the Winchelsea Ward, said she was keen to start a conversation with the community about expectations regarding rural roads.

“Consumer satisfaction is very low in this area, according to our annual survey, and I get many, many representations from residents who are concerned about issues including maintenance and conflict between uses, particularly the large numbers of trucks.”

Cr Wellington has taken a particular interest in roads and road maintenance, and the invite to the forum quotes her push for the council to “deliver basic services and maintain key infrastructure” – part of a notice of motion she unsuccessfully moved on January 23 in the Surf Coast Shire council chamber.

The notice of motion called for officers to prepare an “outcome-focused analysis of the adequacy of the council’s past and planned investment” in roads maintenance and two other areas.

“Rate capping has reduced council’s capacity to raise revenue to meet increasing community needs and expectations,” Cr Wellington stated in the rationale for her motion.

“It is critically important for council to deliver basic services and maintain key infrastructure at a standard that meets its statutory obligations and community expectations.”

The VFF lists road and rail infrastructure as one of its priorities, stating that it will continue to lobby the state government to provide funding to support improvements.

The forum will be held at the Mount Moriac Hotel, 1,115 Princes Highway, Mount Moriac today (Thursday) – dinner from 6pm, forum from 7.30pm. Meals and drinks at bar prices.

Head to vff.org.au.