The Central Goldfields Shire 2024-25 Annual Report has been published, chronicling a year of achievement and foreshadowing future challenges.
Mayor Grace La Vella said the report provides an overview of Council's operations and achievements for the year.
The report also contains the financial statements and the performance statement.
"Thank you to Councillors, staff and our volunteers for how they worked together to achieve great outcomes," Mayor La Vella said.
"We are proud of the work highlighted in the Annual Report.
"We look forward to the year ahead as we begin delivery of the 2025-2029 Council Plan and work together with the community to deliver more great outcomes for our municipality.
Highlights captured in the Annual Report include:
- Successful advocacy to the Victorian and Australian Governments, with $2.5 million secured for the new pavilion at Deledio Recreation Reserve, $7.5 million towards the Maryborough Outdoor Pool and $2 million for the delivery of road safety upgrades.
- In November 2024, the main and lower halls in the Maryborough Town Hall were reopened for community use following a significant electrical upgrade to ensure community safety.
- Works were undertaken to upgrade the compost facility at the Carisbrook Transfer Station.
- Thanks to "Tiny Towns" funding from the Victorian Government, works were undertaken to improve community assets including at Dunolly, Bealiba, Adelaide Lead, Majorca, Bowenvale and Carisbrook.
Challenges outlined in the Annual Report include:
- Council advocated alongside the local government sector to oppose the Victorian Government's Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund (ESVF).
- It is a continuous challenge to make rates, fees, charges and grants stretch to maintain services for our community.
- The growing challenge to balance the demand for new infrastructure with maintaining (or upgrading) existing assets to meet community needs.
Some facts and figures published in the report include:
- 14,753 calls to customer service and 7043 visits
- 45,199 visits to local libraries and 57,596 books loaned
- 434 children attended maternal and child health services at least once
- 1915 vaccines administered
- 20,196 in-person visits to the Central Goldfields Visitor Centre and 7860 to the art gallery
- 2374 tonnes of rubbish collected
The independent auditor's report says "the financial report presents fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the council as at 30 June 2025 and their financial performance and cash flows for the year."
The Annual Report is available online at www.centralgoldfields.vic.gov.au/annualreport
