Priorities for 2023

The Mayor of Moorabool Shire Council has shared his vision for the year ahead.

Improving roads, continuing important advocacy work and attracting more grant funding to the shire – are among the top priorities of Council’s new Mayor, Cr Rod Ward, for 2023.

Cr Ward said he was looking forward to leading Council over the next 12 months and continue to deliver on the Council Plan 2021-2025 for the benefit of the community.

“Roads are a major priority, as there has been widespread damage from the large amount of rain this year as well as the recent flooding. Recently we increased our maintenance budget by $600,000 so we can move to fix our roads as quickly as possible.”

Cr Ward said this additional maintenance spending is on top of the $11.7 million allocated in Council’s current budget to improve roads, bridges, footpaths and drainage in the shire and an additional $500,000 in flood recovery funding from the state government – a total of $12.8 million to be spent on roads.

“Now the weather’s improved we are pushing ahead with our program of works to fix and improve our roads. While we’ve invested a significant amount in this, we’re also actively lobbying the state government to allocate more funds to allow us to accelerate our roads program even further,” he said.

Cr Ward said a lot of work had been done in the advocacy space, which had resulted in many infrastructure projects coming off the ground in recent months.

“The shire as we know it is going to have a whole new look in the next 12 months.

“We’ll finish construction on the basketball stadium in Bacchus Marsh, pavilions at the main reserves in Ballan and Darley, the ovals and new playspace at the Bacchus Marsh Racecourse and Recreation Reserve, skate parks in Ballan and Gordon, and the upgrades at Navigators Community Centre.”

The next stage of Telford Park at the foot of the Bacchus Marsh 1000+ Steps will also open, and work will start on the West Maddingley Early Years Hub, the bowls and community hub in Bacchus Marsh, and the Ballan Library and Community Hub.

“It’s all part of our ongoing work to ensure our shire is meeting the expectations of our growing and changing community,” Cr Ward said.

“But there is still a lot of work to do. We’ll continue to advocate strongly for an indoor pool for the shire and for the community’s voice to be heard on important issues such as the transmission lines proposal and investment in the Parwan Employment Precinct.”

The first Ordinary Meeting of Council was held on 1 February 2023. For more information and to view agendas, visit moorabool.vic.gov.au/meetings.