Murrindindi Shire Council has endorsed its 2023/24 Annual Report at the Scheduled Meeting of Council on 23 October, highlighting the significant progress made on the priorities set out in the Council Plan 2021-2025.
This year, we invested over $15.95 million into our Capital Works Program, progressing the Eildon Reserves Redevelopment and delivering extensive road and drainage upgrades across the Shire. Our new Road Safety Strategy helped us secure nearly $2 million for essential road safety improvements. In addition, the formation and dedication of the Community Road Advisory Group have strengthened our advocacy for funding and practices that align road management with resident expectations.
In line with our goal of achieving net zero emissions by 2035, as per the adopted Climate Change Action Plan, we replaced older diesel and petrol vehicles with hybrid and electric vehicles for our fleet, initiated a tree-planting project to offset emissions, and developed our Kerbside Collection Services Policy to support a four-bin recycling system, reflecting Council's vision for a sustainable future.
Supporting and encouraging inclusive, resilient and active communities remained a focus for us during the past year. Through our Grants and Sponsorships Program, we provided funding for 124 local projects and events to the value of $198,259; we celebrated our volunteers during National Volunteer Week and through our Community Awards, and supported local communities to prepare local emergency action plans through our LEAPing Into Resilience Project. We hosted a community discussion in Yea on men's health, progressed work to improve participation for women and girls in sport, and partnered with Mitchell Shire Council to develop a community guide on family violence.
Council has significantly ramped up advocacy efforts, focusing on securing support and resources to address key community priorities. We've championed increased funding for roads and essential infrastructure, advocated for improved healthcare services, especially in rural areas, and pushed for initiatives that support local businesses and agricultural resilience. We sought to create more opportunities that directly benefit our Shire and meet the evolving needs of our communities.
To read the 2023/24 Annual Report, please visit our Annual Reports page or pick up a hard copy from Council's Library and Customer Service Centres.
Murrindindi Shire Council CEO Livia Bonazzi said "As we look to the future, we are proud of the progress made over the past year and the strong foundation built for ongoing success. The initiatives we've undertaken, from infrastructure improvements to health advocacy and economic development, are key steps toward realising our shared vision of a sustainable, inclusive, and prosperous Murrindindi Shire. We couldn't have achieved this without collaboration with our neighbouring councils, as well as the State and Federal governments, and thank all partners for their continued support."
