Council adopts 2020-21 annual report

Central Highlands Regional Council adopted its annual report today, providing residents with a comprehensive overview of the organisation’s performance and activities for 2020-21.

‘Apart from meeting legislative requirements, producing an annual report is all about telling our story,’ Mayor Kerry Hayes explained.

‘It’s a chance to peer into our workplace and get a true picture of what council does, why it does it, and how it works.’

The 221-page report features facts, figures and narratives about council’s achievements, challenges and outlooks.

‘This financial year had two distinctly different parts as the national management of the COVID-19 pandemic had the region locked down, followed by the gradual opening up of communities,’ Mayor Hayes said.

‘After the previous year’s impact, both negative and positive, council activities achieved some sort of normalcy.’

From airport upgrades and waste education programs, to corporate system improvements and road network advocacy, Mayor Hayes said it was a year of steady growth and signs for a positive future.

He said the report was also useful for prospective employees, investors and anyone with an interest in the Central Highlands community.

‘There are comprehensive financial statements and a brief, plain English community financial report that gives a general overview of council’s financial management,’ he said.

‘The financial position again finished the year in deficit, due to the difficult balance of COVID-19 impacts, delivering capital projects and keeping operations efficient and effective. However, the council’s long-term forecasting indicates a more favourable position from 2021-22.’

The annual report is available to view here.