Congratulations to our new Mayor!
I have thoroughly enjoyed my term as Mayor. Following Administration, Council needed to come together to work with the CEO and staff to chart a path towards future success. Our commitment and focus ensured the real progress needed.
Our first year, marred with lockdowns, focused on community engagement and setting direction by engaging the community to forge an exciting Vision supported by a creative and dynamic Council Plan positioned on growth, prosperity and capturing investment, to achieve that Vision and meet community needs and expectations. We also worked to refresh our Community Plans. Service delivery challenges and systems were also a priority.
This year's focus was developing winning strategy and advocacy. We were successful in our growth focus with government investment in mobile and digital connectivity; added passenger rail services; Talbot Futures (including sewerage) and further investment in Maryborough Train Station to be a global gold interpretation destination. There has also been support of the World Heritage Listing as well as countless capital investment projects, big and small, around the Shire.
The Victorian Government decision supporting Goldfields World Heritage Listing and Council's advocacy aligning this and other opportunities to Commonwealth Games investment, offers countless possibilities, together with our continuing focus on Maryborough Aerodrome and further advocacy in both passenger and freight rail development. "Welcome to Central Goldfields" creates substantial benefits.
The unanimous decision reappointing our CEO gives us future confidence.
Finally, thanks to so many partners who are working hard with Council to achieve our Community Vision.
What an exciting future ahead!
