Looking back on 2019

Published on 19 December 2019

Advocacy, capital works, community partnerships, performing arts, award recognition and the adoption of key strategies have been the themes of Gannawarra Shire Council’s achievements during 2019.

In what has been a productive year, Council has continued to maintain a high level of services expected by residents whilst supporting the community during a prolonged dry period.

“Council understands that there is extra financial pressure on residents and businesses due to the lack of water available for agricultural purposes,” Mayor Lorraine Learmonth said.

“This is why the work undertaken by Council is so important to the community. Whether it is completing a construction project, hosting a performing arts event or working in partnership with the numerous services available in the Gannawarra, it is important for Council to support its residents.”

Year_in_Review_2019_1080p.mp4

The lack of water has been one of Council’s key advocacy measures during 2019, both individually and as the Chairing Council of the Murray River Group of Councils.

“Council wrote to the Premier in November seeking support to provide rates relief for farmers and small businesses, whilst the Federal Government’s declaration in September that the Gannawarra is a drought-affected municipality has resulted in $2 million for initiatives, activities, events and infrastructure projects that need to be completed by the end of 2020,” Mayor Learmonth said.

“The Australian Energy Market Operator announcement in July to support the development of the KerangLink interconnecting electricity transmission line between Victoria and New South Wales has the potential to revolutionise the Gannawarra into the renewable energy capital of Australia. This project is a result of Council’s advocacy works in this sector, both individually and alongside the MRGC.

“Meanwhile, the successful Mayoral Listening Post program, held in February and March, enabled Councillors to meet with residents and hear about the matters that matter to communities the most.”

Nine major capital works projects were completed in 2019 – ranging from the upgrading of cricket training facilities at Cohuna and Leitchville to Stage 1 on the Kangaroo Lake Foreshore Redevelopment.

“The upgrades of public toilet facilities at Cohuna’s Apex Park, the creation of the Kerang Open Space Precinct and the completion of the two stages of the Koondrook CBD redevelopment are already benefiting residents and visitors alike,” Mayor Learmonth said.

“The redeveloped Leitchville Pre-School will benefit the next generation of Gannawarra residents, whilst upgrades to Sampson’s Bridge and security at the Patchell Plaza car park at Kerang is providing better safety for motorists.”

As in previous years, Council’s community partnerships have been a highlight, with efforts in 2019 enhanced by the Gannawarra Community Resilience Committee’s support of initiatives like the Gannawarra Cares newsletter and the Walk and Talk for Mental Health program.

“The Gannawarra is renowned for its support of International Women’s Day, Reconciliation Week, Walk to School Month, the Victorian Seniors Festival and Gannawarra Goes Orange, with events held to coincide with these programs,” Mayor Learmonth said.

“These programs were supported in 2019 by the rollout of the National Disability Insurance Scheme and Council’s successful application to be a registered provider, the expansion of the Social Meals program to all nine communities throughout the Gannawarra and the launch of the third edition of the School Transition in Gannawarra booklet in May.”

Seven performances, held at locations ranging from the Lake Meran foreshore to the Quambatook Recreation Reserve, highlighted Council’s performing arts program in 2019.

“The 2019 program offered something for everyone. Theatregoers braved the heat in January to watch the Essential Theatre Company’s performance of A Midsummer Night’s Dream on the banks of Lake Meran, whilst more than 200 people enjoyed the outdoor performance of The Sapphires at the Quambatook Recreation Reserve in October,” Mayor Learmonth said.

“Children were entertained by the likes of Splash Test Dummies, The Owl’s Apprentice, The Whale’s Tale and Picasso and His Dog, whilst the haunting performance of Swansong in May at Cohuna was Council’s first foray into heavy-themed theatrical drama.”

A number of projects were finalists for State and national awards, with the Koondrook Wharf and Victoria Square redevelopment continuing to receive accolades.

“Council’s Sustainable Gannawarra initiative, which underpins work to improve the organisation’s environmental sustainability, won the Sustainability Initiative title at the LGPro 2019 Awards for Excellence and was a finalist at both 2019 LG Professionals Australia National Federation Awards and 2019 Premier’s Sustainability Awards,” Mayor Learmonth said.

“The ReSpark the Park project, which saw Council partner with the community to rejuvenate McCann Crescent Park at Kerang received national attention, with the initiative highly commended in the Prevention and Community Safety category at the 2019 National Awards for Local Government.

“It was also pleasing to note that the Koondrook Wharf won the Urban Planning/Landscape Architecture title at the 2019 Chicago Athenaeum/European Design for Architectural Art and Urban Design Studies Awards and architects of the Victoria Square redevelopment at Kerang winning a Good Design Award for the project.”

The adoption of three strategies – Gannawarra Shire Council Social Inclusion Strategy 2019-2023; Gannawarra Shire Sport and Recreation Strategy 2019-2029 and Gannawarra Shire Economic Development Strategy 2019-2024 – and approval of Waterfront Materplans for the Gunbower Creek precinct at Cohuna, the Murray River precinct at Koondrook and the Kerang Lakes will guide Council’s work for the coming years.

“It is also important to recognise the work undertaken by the unsung people in our communities,” Mayor Learmonth said.

“In January this year Murrabit’s Dick Walters received the Gannawarra Shire Council Citizen of the Year Award for seven decades of service to the community, with Cohuna’s Kaila Wilson named the Gannawarra Shire Council Young Citizen of the Year.

“Council was also pleased to fund 24 events and projects for a combined total of $82,500 from the Community Grants Program in October, with six other initiatives and events sharing in $5,080 from Round 1 of the Gannawarra Community Resilience Grants Program.

“Council looks forward to the coming 12 months as it works to complete the 2019/2020 Capital Works budget, achieve goals outlined in the Gannawarra Shire Council Plan 2017-2021 and roll out projects supported by the Federal Government’s Drought Communities Programme Extension.”