We can see clearly now, the Vision is here!

Since May, council, in partnership with award-winning engagement specialist Articulous has been consulting community to create a Community Vision for the Central Highlands in 2043.  

Council wanted to know about people’s aspirations for the future of the region. Mums and dads, the elderly, our emerging leaders and business owners from all 13 communities of the Central Highlands were brought together at breakfasts, regional roundtables, pop-ups at agricultural shows and shopping centres to collect opinions and ideas via survey, postcards and discussion. 

‘The ‘Your Region, Your Vision’ project was a unique opportunity for the whole region to contribute to the future of the place they called home,’ said Mayor Kerry Hayes. 

All of these big ideas were then turned into a region-wide vision and a vision for each of our 13 place-based communities. Community profiles were also created.  

‘The vision that we have created together, is something that is owned by the whole region and designed to make the Central Highlands an even better place to live, work and play,’ said Mayor Hayes. ‘It will take dedication to see these visions come to life, but the collaboration of all levels of government and community will see great things achieved’. He continued. 

Over 1,600 community contributions were received in round 1 of the engagement period. These consisted of surveys, DIY conversation kits, visual artworks and postcards. Community themes were identified, areas for improvement were determined, and drafting of the documents began.  

Round 2 saw the final opportunity for feedback on the vision with over 300 responses received. Council were thrilled with the dedication that community showed to ensuring the Community Vision document was an accurate reflection of their aspirations and hopes for the region as we move toward 2043.  

Today, at the last general council meeting for 2023, councillors voted to receive the Central Highlands 2043 Community Vision and 14 community profiles.  

Council has completed a 2043 Vision Highlights flyer to inform community about council projects between January and June 2024 that align with the vision. A similar flyer will be published at the beginning of each financial year and reported on as part of council’s annual report. 

The highlight document, 2043 vision, regional and community profiles are available on the Have Your Say Central Highlands Your Region, Your Vision webpage here.  

If you have any enquiries, please contact council on 1300 242 686.