Let's have dinner and talk about our future!
Murrindindi Shire Council's Community Planning Project is set to start rolling out over the next month. The Community Planning Framework, developed by community working groups, is being trialled in Yea, Marysville and Toolangi/Castella. Council is inviting residents, business owners, farmers and community members for dinner and a chat as part of the Project.
Mayor Sandice McAulay said the Project aims to empower communities to plan and deliver the things their towns need for the future.
"The three dinners – one in each of the pilot towns – are an opportunity for the communities to come together to start talking about priority projects for the future of their towns. The dinners are about individuals and groups, from all different networks, sharing ideas and collaborating on potential solutions," Cr McAulay said.
"It could be anything, big or small, it might be an event or an infrastructure upgrade or a new service."
"Long term the Project will see Council support each of the pilot towns to make detailed plans for what needs to happen to get from A (idea) to B (outcome)."
"Community planning aims to put communities in the driver's seat. Communities themselves – with a bit of help from Council – will talk about their local strengths and challenges, identify priorities for their future and collaborate in the development and delivery of solutions for their towns."
"This is an exciting project and it really could change the future of these towns, so I encourage people to get involved by coming along for dinner and a chat. Everyone who lives, works, studies or feels connected in some way to one of the three pilot towns is more than welcome to come along."
"And none of it would be possible without the generous support of Australia's largest general insurer IAG, and their local brands CGU and WFI, who are supporting this project."
"The first dinner will be held in Yea on Thursday 16 May, with dinner in Toolangi/Castella on Thursday 30 May and in Marysville on Thursday 13 June. The events are free and will run from 5.45 to 8pm," Cr McAulay said.
