Council adopts community informed plans to shape Baw Baw’s future

Baw Baw Shire Council has adopted the Community Vision, Council Plan and Long Term Financial Plan – three key documents that will guide the future of our region.  

In developing the Community Vision, Council undertook one of the most extensive community engagement processes in Baw Baw Shire Council history. The process included 360 survey responses, focus groups involving 35 participants over six sessions, and a 42-member community panel reflecting the differing age, gender, culture, location, ability and employment status demographics of the Shire. Together, this diverse group assessed all responses and collaboratively defined the community’s priorities and vision for the next 20 years and beyond.  

The Council Plan is a roadmap drafted in response to the Community Vision. It lays out how Council will translate that vision into action over the next four years.  

The Long Term Financial Plan sets out Councils key financial planning and funding requirements to achieve the Council Plan and aims to ensure financial stability for the next 10 years. 

Prior to their adoption by Council, all three draft documents were exhibited for final public feedback from Thursday 29 July to Friday 20 August 2021. This consultation aimed to ensure the final adopted documents firmly align with the expectations of the community.  

Council received a total of 31 submissions from several key stakeholders, community groups and residents, covering a range of concerns of the community over the next four years and beyond. This includes environment protection and climate change, planning, services and infrastructure as the community grows, and action to achieve the Community Vision.  

Taken together, the Council Vision, Council Plan and Long Term Financial Plan are the foundation for Council’s future actions and priorities in striving for a sustainable, healthy and thriving community. 

Quote attributable to Mayor Cr Danny Goss 

“The development of the Community Vision involved one of the most significant and thorough community engagement processes in Baw Baw Shire’s history. We directly sought out valuable feedback from a range of community members to form this document. We needed to get this right.  

We are so pleased with the outcome of this documents and believe it is a true representation of our community values. And in turn, the Council Plan and Long Term Financial Plan will provide Council with a roadmap to bring the Community Vision to life.   

I would like to thank all the community members who have engaged with Council throughout this consultation period. It is the submissions, the conversations and the feedback we receive that helps shape the future of Baw Baw.”  

Quote attributable to Deputy Mayor Cr Michael Leaney  

"Thank you to everyone who completed a submission on the draft of these documents. The community has played a key role in the development of these important plans and strategies over the past 6 months. From surveys to community panel groups, the feedback provided has been extremely useful in defining the Shire’s vision for the future. From these discussions we have identified that you want an economically prosperous and supportive community that is overall a great place to live, work and play. 

The Long-Term Financial Plan provides a strong indication that Council is in a financially sustainable position into the next 10 years.  

These plans have been created in a way that is user friendly and easy to read, so I encourage you to visit Council’s website to learn all about our combined vision for our future.”