Growth A Priority for the Year Ahead

Published on 21 September 2023

Following their successful re-election at Edward River Council’s September meeting, Mayor Cr Peta Betts and Deputy Mayor Cr Paul Fellows are more determined than ever to build on the positive momentum generated in previous years. They both sat down to discuss their plans and priorities for the next 12 months, highlighting the importance of economic growth, community engagement, and building a strong, diverse council for the future.

"Economic growth is definitely a cornerstone of our vision for Edward River," said Mayor Cr Peta Betts. "We’ve got some exciting plans to attract investment into our community, and our growth strategy will take centre stage in our activities over the coming year. Having a strong and diverse economy will help us mitigate the risk our community is facing over the issue of water buybacks and create more opportunities for everyone."

Deputy Mayor Cr Paul Fellows noted, "This is a big topic and a big deal for our town. We're in a region that could lose some water, and so attracting investment is crucial. The strategy has been a topic of excellent debate among the councillors, reflecting the maturity and engagement that we now have in the council."

Cr Betts stressed the importance of community involvement in Council’s projects, particularly in the Growth Strategy Advisory Committee, which will play a key role in Council’s flagship project for 2023/24.

"We have a wonderful community here, and external support will be invaluable as we move forward with our economic growth strategy. Collaboration is key, and I am excited to see what we can achieve together."

Cr Fellows echoed the sentiment, saying, "We've got great projects on the horizon, and the community's input will only make them better. These are exciting times for Edward River."

When discussing future plans, the Deputy Mayor highlighted the role of the council in shaping Edward River's future. "We are merely custodians for a short time in the council. We are essentially setting up the town and the council for the next generation of thinkers. With elections coming up in over 12 months and some councillors retiring, we’ll be encouraging a new, young, and diverse set of people to come on board," said Cr Fellows.

Cr Betts added, "We have a lot to do in a short space of time. Stage 1 of Edward River Village is nearly completed, but there is still much to accomplish. The next 12 months are going to be critical, and I am confident that they will also be very exciting.

“We need to keep focused on the fact that our community is overwhelmingly supportive and positive of our efforts in Council. Good governance is the norm here – we are stringently regulated and our decisions benefit from strong leadership and robust debate amongst our Councillors. Due to that good governance, and strong performance from our CEO, our community is in a good position with a lot to be thankful for. We are developing new projects and making ambitious plans for the future, something that is the envy of many other regions. I love where I live – and I want to make it the best place possible for every one of our residents."

Both Mayor Cr Peta Betts and Deputy Mayor Cr Paul Fellows are looking forward to another fruitful term. "We've got a lot of work to do, but it’s going to be an exciting journey. I look forward to working closely with Deputy Mayor Fellows and our great team of councillors to achieve our goals," said Cr Betts.