Ararat Rural City releases draft Council Plan for comment

Ararat Rural City Council has released its Council Plan 2017-2021 for public comment and is now encouraging the community to have their say.

Ararat Mayor Cr Peter Beales said the Council Plan was one of the most important documents a council develops.

The community has until Tuesday June 11 at 5.15pm to make a submission on the document. People can also speak to their submission at a special Council meeting on the evening of Tuesday June 11.

“The Council Plan is the foundation for everything we’ll strive to achieve over the next three years, providing a solid framework as we conduct our day-to-day business,” Cr Beales said.

“Ararat Rural City Council is committed to serving its community and the Council Plan outlines how we will do that to the best of our abilities.

“The Council wanted the new plan to look to the future, providing a way forward to ensure our community is confident we can provide the very best services possible.”

Cr Beales said Council undertook extensive community engagement around the Council Plan, ensuring it heard as many voices as possible before developing the actions and projects outlined.

He said the Council Plan was built on a strategic direction that aimed to ensure the community is at the forefront of everything the organisation does, whether it is grading a road, providing Meals on Wheels, setting your rates or building a new community facility.

Some of the new initiatives highlighted in the Council Plan include:

Develop township strategies for Willaura and Pomonal. Seek sector partnership for the redevelopment of the McDonald Centre in Ararat. Completion of the Active Links Project in Ararat (Alexandra Oval and the Ararat Skate Park lighting). Hold a cultural festival in 2019/2020. Advocate for the Ararat Regional Park Mountain Bike Track.

Notable achievements from our Council Plan include:

The completion and re-opening of the Ararat Arts Precinct redevelopment. Construction of the Ararat Men’s Shed. The construction of irrigation systems at Ararat’s Gordon Street Oval, the Pomonal Recreation Reserve and Lake Bolac Recreation Reserve. Funding received for the Ararat on the Move and Active Links Projects (Alexandra Active Corridor). Tatyoon Recreation Reserve change rooms. Willaura Hall redevelopment.

Information on how to make a submission is on Council’s website where you can also download a copy of the Council Plan. Click here for all the details.