Mayor of Baw Baw Shire Councillor Danny Goss hosted a live Facebook Q&A on Tuesday evening to cover all the hot topics our community cares about.
The 30-minute live session featured on Council's Facebook page proved a popular format with the community, attracting more than 2,600 views and prompting more than 60 questions, comments and responses on a range of subjects.
Some of the key topics covered during the Q&A included:
- Improvement to footpaths
- Walking and cycling trails and tracks
- Drouin and Warragul PSP's relating to:
- Managing population growth and infrastructure development
- Concept plans for sporting reserves and facilities
- Maintain neighbourhood rural character
- Retaining walls requirements
- Longwarry Saleyards Planning Permit
- Road maintenance works
- Traffic matters
- Noojee playground updates
- Local business support
- Possible tourist information centre
Residents were invited to submit questions in advance or during the live stream and the Mayor responded to as many questions as possible during the session. The live stream can be found on Councils facebook page.
Given the popular response, Council will look to continue with the live Q&A format in the future as a measure to further strengthen Council's transparency and accountability to the community, and to provide additional platforms for residents to engage on matters that mean most to them.
Quote attributable to Mayor Cr Danny Goss
"We are open and accountable here at Baw Baw Shire, and we stick by that mantra. All our Councillors are highly engaged with our community, and we all want to hear from our Ratepayers. We are their representatives. We want to answer their questions and listen to their needs. We are here to help. And that is exactly why we do these sessions.
I know of no other Council that has direct, live Q&A Sessions with the Mayor. Every Council should be doing this.
I'd like to thank all of the community members who took part and for submitting their questions for the live Q&A. I am always happy to hear directly from our community members on matters close to their heart and will always do my best to answer their questions."