The famous historian Arnold Toynbee viewed history as challenge and response.
Some years ago I was working with the Municipal Association of Victoria on the future of local government. It was clear future challenges would require a much stronger emphasis on partnering with other levels of government to achieve required investment.
As communities become more aware, informed, and better educated, expectations of government increase and that focus is often on the closest level - local government.
Council is now well advanced in its pre 2024-2025 Budget deliberations and as Councillor Wayne Sproull noted recently "The reality is we are often under-resourced to meet the community's demands."
We now have several years of rate-capping with the costs of councils rising well above the rate cap set. We also face a financially constrained post-pandemic environment and the realisation that government grants are tighter.
There is no magic pudding solution to these challenges, but Council continues to work strategically and creatively to address them.
Our Priority Projects Plan is widely recognised for establishing an attractive business case for investment into our priority assets requiring development or renewal.
Council has adopted an Advocacy Strategy to lobby for key services which our community need. We also gave a further boost to our Population Growth Strategy adopting the Talbot Futures plan.
Earlier Council made a case to the Prime Minister seeking a broad review of inequitable funding for regional Australia.
Importantly we respond daily to maximise every opportunity for our Shire to create a better future.
Cr Chris Meddows-Taylor
Paddy's Ranges Ward
