Reflecting on 2021 as my first year on Council. It has been an amazing journey, meeting the most interesting people, with lots of different perspectives and interests.
It has been a steep learning curve, getting to know as much as I could about Local Government and Governance. Three small words but with huge implications. I enjoyed the opportunity to immerse myself in studying and constantly researching the different aspects of municipalities. The one thing that I came to realise was how the role of municipalities have grown over time from delivering basic services, such as rubbish collection, managing and maintenance of infrastructure and collecting rates and taxes, to a huge enterprise delivering an incredible number of services to the community.
Some of the most noticeable services delivered by our Shire is business and investment, grants and funding, parks and reserves, rates and property, seniors, children and families, pets and animals, venues and events planning, to name but a few.
As I said at a recent Ordinary Council Meeting, management and staff at the Shire is like a duck on a pond. Not too many ripples on the surface, but the feet are moving like mad under the water.
Hats off to all the people employed by the Central Goldfields Shire.
There was an advertising spread published in the The Maryborough District Advertiser last week (25/02), detailing work that was carried out these past 12 months – thanks to the Federal Government Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program – and it is impressive.
I am excited about 2022. We are approaching life back to normal, post pandemic. We had the recent announcement that the Victorian Government is putting in a bid for hosting the 2026 Commonwealth Games, and if that should eventuate, it will be a huge opportunity for the Shire. We should be ready.
