A SUBMISSION imploring councillors not to pass the Southern Grampians Small Towns Strategy document was made by Glenthompson and District Community Association, vice president, Trevor Burns, at the first Southern Grampians Shire Council (SGSC) ordinary meeting for 2024 on Wednesday night.

Mr Burns expressed disappointment that feedback from the Glenthompson community appeared to have been disregarded by council in the final draft of the Strategy.

He said the community needed further opportunity to designate a list of the town’s wishes.

“We will be formalising our community’s priorities at our next meeting on the 29th of February,” he said.

“It’s important to finalise and endorse a priority list to be included in the final draft before the vote.

“It was believed that after the previous community consultation that an opportunity for a (further) community consultation meeting would be given prior to the final strategy.”

Mr Burns said he couldn’t speak for the other towns “so they might be happy” (with council voting in favour) but he said the Glenthompson community would most likely not endorse the Strategy.

Recommendations for the Small Towns Strategy were put forward by SGSC wellbeing, planning and regulation director, Rory Neeson, however, Cr Katrina Rainsford suggested that the vote by council to adopt the Small Towns Strategy be deferred to the March council meeting after further consultation with the small towns’ communities.

Cr Mary Ann Brown acknowledged that there were a number of people in the gallery interested in the Small Towns Strategy and that Council had also received written communication.

“It’s not a document cast in stone,” she said.

“There will be opportunities down the track to make changes.

“I am aware that there have been concerns about the process in getting to this point and understand that it has not been a perfect process.

“However, I think it is important because we have a number of communities, particularly Coleraine, and Cavendish that need structure plans - and this is one of the critical documents that assists with that some towns already have structure plans such as Dunkeld and Hamilton.

“It is a guide.

“This has been going on for at least three years and because of the importance of doing structure plans, particularly for Cavendish and Coleraine, we need to get on with it.

“I think the issue about wish lists for communities can be addressed through budgets.

“We’re hearing budget submissions in the next few weeks.

“I think it’s good for communities to think about what they want.

“This is not a document that replaces community plans.”

Mr Neeson provided an assurance that the Strategy can be reviewed.

“Obviously things in towns will change,” he said.

“So that then allows (the document) to be reviewed.”

Cr Rainsford asked Mr Neeson for clarification around the Glenthompson Swimming Pool and any recommendations to have it filled in.

Mr Neeson responded that the document did not recommend to close or fill in the Glenthompson Swimming Pool.

However, Cr Rainsford argued that the initial report discussed repurposing the Glenthompson Swimming Pool and to consider reducing pool services to a splash pad, among other improvements to community infrastructure.

“So, what’s listed there is something to consider,” Mr Neeson said.

“It’s not saying that it will happen.”

The motion to adopt the Southern Grampians Small Towns Strategy was passed with all Councillors voting in favour of the Strategy’s adoption except two.

Cr Rainsford voted against the motion, as did Cr Bruach Colliton who said the Small Towns Strategy actually didn’t hold much weight.

“What holds the weight is the structure plans, which has far more detail, far more rigorous work,” he said.

“We’ve seen in the past that planning scheme amendments are costly.”

Mayor, David Roberston said the Small Towns Strategy was a major piece of work that was several years in the making by council, in partnership with local communities.

He said the development of a Small Towns Strategy was recognised as a key priority in the Council Plan 2021-2025, with the process initiated in September 2021.

The draft was collated following several rounds of community engagement sessions and one-on-one sessions with progress associations.

“This major strategy provides clear direction for land development in our shire according to the unique needs and expectations of our rural communities,” Cr Robertson said.

“It’s a very important document to ensure council is consistent with its approach to rural planning and outlines key priorities for action.”

Council said it met with town progress associations before Christmas to present the draft Small Towns Strategy and the broader community also had an opportunity to comment on the draft before it was finalised for council consideration and adoption.

Council also received 24 submissions on the draft Strategy.

“I’d like to thank everyone who has contributed to this critical, land-mark document,” Cr Robertson said.

“All community meetings were well attended, and a lot of valuable feedback was provided to council, which was considered for the final document.”

The final strategy is available from council’s website or the customer service centre.