2020-21 Mayoral Program Unveiled
Mayor of Hobsons Bay Councillor Jonathon Marsden will champion Council's environmental sustainability program, as well as access and social inclusion initiatives as part of the 2020-21 Mayoral Program.
Cr Marsden revealed his key priorities at the Ordinary Council Meeting on Tuesday 9 February.
Mayoral Program projects and initiatives include:
Virtual Power - The Virtual Power initiative is an industry leading, large scale solar energy project that will see Hobsons Bay accelerate the uptake of renewable energy, create local jobs and reduce carbon emissions. The project will virtually connect solar panels across Council buildings, enabling energy to be used where it is needed most.
Towards reconciliation – Actively support the Reconciliation Action Plan 2019-21, including respectful engagement, truth-telling and realising opportunities in the Hobsons Bay Creative City Plan 2018-22.
Hobsons Bay Business has Heart - Supporting local businesses to survive, recover and thrive with business grants, precinct promotion, free marketing, communications, graphic design and web design services and the installation of infrastructure to allow safe outdoor trading.
Coastal and Marine Management Plan- Following community consultation and adoption by Council, the Coastal and Marine Management Plan is a 10-year plan to manage and protect our iconic coastal and marine areas including Hobsons Bay's wetlands, creeks, and beaches.
Urban Forest Strategy - The Urban Forest Strategy features four key objectives to address climate change, urban heat and development: increase tree canopy in Hobsons Bay to 30 per cent by 2040, develop a diverse and healthy urban forest, adopt a 'trees led' approach to city planning, design and delivery and educate and foster care for urban trees.
Active transport and cycling – Promoting active transport and improving infrastructure to separate bikes from vehicles and to create safe areas for children to learn to ride.
Placemaking – Implementation of the Better Places Spotswood and South Kingsville initiative and development of the Council Plan 2021-25 in consultation with the community.
The Mayoral Program provides an opportunity for the Mayor to support the implementation of key strategic actions that will serve the best interest of the Hobsons Bay community and align with the Hobsons Bay 2030 Community Vision and the Council Plan 2017-21.
Quotes attributable to Mayor of Hobsons Bay Cr Jonathon Marsden:
"A key focus of my Mayoral Program this year is supporting the community and caring for our natural environment as we recover from the COVID-19 pandemic.
"The Virtual Power initiative is a local government first and is an important element in the Hobsons Bay community's COVID-19 economic recovery plans. The solar power initiative is well underway and aims to lower electricity costs for the community and supports Council's goal of carbon neutrality by 2030 for the entire city.
"Our coast is our premier asset and an important priority will be to support the implementation of the Coastal and Marine Management Plan following extensive community consultation.
"I also look forward to continuing work I started in my 2019 Mayoral Program to listen to First Nations stories, deepen friendships and connection and to bring our community together through truth-telling."
