RESIDENTS of the Southern Grampians outer townships are invited to contribute to the Southern Grampians Shire Council Small Towns Strategy, with people also able to share their thoughts with Council at Sheepvention.

Council staff and project consultants will be on hand at Site 23 at Sheepvention from 1pm this Monday, where they will be able to directly speak with and hear from residents about key priorities for each town.

People can also share their thoughts through Council’s online engagement platform on their website by filling out the survey and dropping pins on the map. 

As part of the successful Community Listening Posts, Council has already visited a number of towns across the region with further township visits scheduled for later in the year.

The Small Towns Strategy will help Council to deliver a plan for each township to develop, grow, and make improvements that are consistent with the town vision, specific to the local community.

Southern Grampians Shire Council acting mayor, Cr David Robertson, encouraged residents to share their ideas and contribute to their town.

“We know the liveability and resilience of our regional towns has never been more important,” he said.

“With the rapid changes through COVID, as well as natural population growth and other influences including climate change, our townships face significant challenges.

“Council is working with residents to develop priorities specific to each township with a clear focus to maximise opportunities and support towns.

“After extensive community engagement and feedback collected through the 2021-2025 Council Plan, 2041 Vision, and Community Health and Wellbeing Plan, we were able to put together some key priorities we know are important.

“From there, we are now asking residents that live and work in those localities to check out the priorities developed, fill out the survey, view the maps online and actively contribute to a ‘road-map’ for the future.”

The project will develop a sense of direction and strategy for the local communities, a clear sense of community ‘wants’ and values for each town and the wider Shire, as well as provide a more targeted and focused delivery of place-based improvements.

Council is also hoping the Small Towns Strategy will develop a schedule of investigation areas for future growth and zoning changes that clearly-outline the scale of change and the spectrum of possibility for each town into the future.

Cr Robertson said there was no better way to find out what a town needs than to hear from its residents and urged everyone to share their opinions.

“If you are part of the Glenthompson, Dunkeld, Tarrington, Cavendish, Balmoral, Coleraine, Penshurst, Byaduk or Branxholme communities, find us at Sheepvention and have a chat about what makes your town unique or visit the Council website for more information,” he said.

The town priorities, surveys, and Small Towns Strategy Map are available on the ‘Have Your Say’ page on Council’s website at sthgrampians.vic.gov.au/Page/Page.aspx?Page_Id=1397

Details for remaining scheduled Listening Posts are also available via the Council website or Facebook page.