Greater Shepparton City Council's 2022-2023 Annual Report was endorsed at the October Council Meeting and is now available to view online.
The report documents Council's achievements and activities during the 2022-2023 financial year and reports against the second year of the 2021-2025 Council Plan, focusing on five key themes of Vibrant and Diverse Economy, Community Leadership, Environment and Climate Emergency, Infrastructure and Technology, and Social Responsibility and Wellbeing.
The Annual Report provides an account of Council's financial management during the previous financial year, while also acknowledging the highlights and activities which have happened across the municipality over the past 12 months.
The most significant event during the past financial year was the October 2022 flood event, which caused devastating widespread flooding across the region. At the peak of the flood the Peter Ross Edwards Causeway, the main river crossing between Shepparton and Mooroopna was closed, isolating thousands of residents and making it extremely difficult to provide vital services to residents in need.
The Annual Report highlights the resilience of the community during this time, while also acknowledging the incredible efforts of the community as everyone worked towards recovery. Mayor, Councillor Shane Sali, said the Annual Report acknowledged the significance of the flood event and the true impact it had on our entire municipality.
"The October 2022 flood truly shaped the past 12 months for Greater Shepparton and so it was important that the Annual Report captured this," he said.
"It was also important that the Annual Report captured the incredible work of the entire community as we began working through our recovery, helping us to reach the point we are at now."
As the region worked through its recovery in early 2023, Cr Sali said events and community gatherings resumed, and the region's vibrancy and dynamic nature slowly returned. Despite the hardship, many highlights were achieved during the 2022-2023 financial year, including:
- The largest ever Greater Shepparton Volunteer Recognition Awards, with 42 nominations received across four categories, approximately 260 people attending the Awards ceremony in person and over 1,800 views on the event's livestream
- Adoption of Council's second Reconciliation Action Plan, Innovate July 2023 to July 2025
- Official opening of the redeveloped former Maude Street Mall
- A successful National Tree Day with more than 150 people planting 1,300 native trees in Huggard Drive, Mooroopna
- Several successful animal adoption campaigns through the Shepparton Animal Shelter which saw a total of 131 dogs and 516 cats adopted
- The completion of $45 million worth of capital projects for the financial year
Cr Sali said the Annual Report was a great snapshot of the achievements of Council and the region over the past 12 months.
"Council prepares an Annual Report each year and it is definitely worth a read. It documents the highs and lows of the past financial year and is a great reflection of what the region has been through," he said.
