Council adopts strategic direction for next four years

Work on the 2017-2021 Council Plan has been in motion since last year’s local government election and the adoption of the document at August’s Ordinary Meeting follows feedback from across the community to help identify the strategic priorities for Ararat and the region.

For the first time the 2017-2021 Council Plan also incorporates the Municipal Public Health and Wellbeing Plan.

“The integration of the Council Plan and the Municipal Public Health and Wellbeing Plan aims to put health and wellbeing of our community at the forefront of all strategic decision making,” Ararat Rural City Council Mayor, Cr Paul Hooper said.

“Council has worked in collaboration with the Grampians Pyrenees Primary Care Partnership to undertake consultation with the community about health and wellbeing, and also with the many stakeholders involved with the Municipal Health and Wellbeing Plan over the many years.”

Other various new strategies and initiatives have been incorporated in the Council Plan including development of a Commitment Statement for working with the indigenous community, develop a strategy for future workforce planning, advocacy for additional training/education opportunities to meet the need for the community and develop a waste management strategy.

“Earlier this year Council sent out ‘Have Your Say’ postcards to all residents of Ararat Rural City requesting feedback, and your valuable feedback has been vital in shaping this Council Plan for the next four years,” Cr Hooper said.

“Let me take this opportunity to say on behalf of Council, thank-you to all residents who completed the ‘Have You Say’ postcards, both via post and online, and also for those who attended the ‘Our Say’ Engagement Workshops.”

A copy of the 2017-2021 Council Plan can be viewed at www.ararat.vic.gov.au or at the Municipal Office, corner Vincent and High Street.