2017/18 Annual Report Adopted

2017/18 Annual Report Adopted

Published on 25 October 2018

Baw Baw Shire Council has adopted the 2017/18 Annual Report of Operations and Financial Report after receiving sign off from the Victorian Auditor General’s Office (VAGO).

The Annual Report transparently reports on Council’s operations, performance and legislative requirements over the financial year.

The Annual Report forms a suite of documents that all Victorian Councils are required to produce under the Local Government Act 1989.

Across the year, Baw Baw Shire Council delivered a number of achievements across four strategic objectives; Vibrant communities, thriving economy, safe and sustainable environments and organisational excellence.

Key highlights of 2017/18: Commenced the $14.1 million West Gippsland Art Centre redevelopment project. Invested $8.6 million into improving the local road network. Created a dynamic and accessible new play space at Warragul’s Civic Park. Successfully received $23.26 million in grant funding towards key projects and initiatives. Improved access and connectivity by investing $595,300 into new footpaths and $158,000 on footpath replacements. Awarded over $247,000 in Community Development Grants to 43 community groups. Began construction of a new skate park in Yarragon, Howard Park. Completed a range of improvements for the Warragul CBD Streetscape Project. Commenced implementation of the 2018-2021 Digital Roadmap, to improving engagement between Council and the community including a new phone system, online statutory planning system, customer service focused website, and digital engagement platform. Introduced “Live-Chat” through Council’s website with 2,301 interactions since its launch in December. Renewed focus on Council’s Youth Charter carrying out significant engagement and planning with local young people. Installed pedestrian operated signals on Princes Way near Drouin Primary School. Developed a new Municipal Public Health and Wellbeing Plan 2017-2021 to improve the quality of life for all people who live, work, learn and visit Baw Baw Shire. Delivered 19,902 vital Meals on Wheels to support community members. Supported new families with 594 first Maternal Child Health nurse visits. Developed a new Economic Development Strategy focusing on four key pillars: Business engagement, business attraction, business advocacy and tourism. Adopted a new Environment Sustainability Strategy and four-year action plan.  Successfully lobbied to the State and Federal Governments for funding to support the development of a new Early Learning Centre in Warragul.

For more highlights, download the 2017/18 Annual Report Snapshot Summary (Print Version)(PDF, 2MB). To see the full document, go to Annual Report.

Quotes attributable to Mayor Cr Joe Gauci

“The Annual Report provides an opportunity for us to reflect on the key achievements, opportunities and challenges of the last year.”

“It’s been a big year for Baw Baw Shire and we’ve been working hard to deliver core services and projects to ensure our Shire remains a safe, sustainable, vibrant and thriving place to live.”

Quotes attributable to Deputy Mayor Cr Danny Goss

“Over the last year we’ve invested over $25 million into capital works projects to deliver new and improved infrastructure for our growing community. Of this, $8.6 million has been injected into our local road network, over $2.7 million into drainage projects and over $1.9 million into parks and open spaces.”

“Alongside physical works, we’ve also commenced reviews of our Precinct Structure Plans, Developer Contribution Plans and appointed a Priority Development team to ensure that our Shire’s growth is appropriately planned for, managed and delivered.”

Quotes attributable to CEO Alison Leighton

“The Annual Report is an honest and accountable reflection of the breadth of services delivered by Council with contribution from each business unit across the organisation.”

“I’m incredibly proud of what Councillors and the organisation have achieved over the last year. I’m very fortunate to lead an organisation full of passionate and hardworking people who take pride in the work that they do and care deeply about the communities that they serve.”

“Looking to the year ahead, our focus remains on continued process improvement, quality infrastructure and services delivery while remaining responsible, accountable and community focused.”

Image: Baw Baw Shire Council's 2017/18 Annual Report.