GLENELG Shire Council begins a series of three consultation sessions this week, with the 2025/2026 budget and 2025-2029 council plan on the agendas.
Originally scheduled for 12 February, council’s budget drop-in session for Casterton, Dartmoor and Nelson were postponed, due to the heat and high fire danger predicted on the day.
This week, council is notifying residents (see classifieds, this edition) of three planned consultation sessions for the budget and community plan – the first to be held this Thursday, followed by another on 27 February, dedicated to the budget and a third on Thursday, 13 March.
The 2025 – 2029 Plan with integrated Health and Wellbeing Plan and Community Vision, will be a key strategic document that sets the direction for Council for the next four years.
An Engagement and Communication Plan was adopted at Tuesday night’s council meeting and will see council undertake an extensive six-week engagement campaign seeking community input to shape the next Plan.
Glenelg Shire Mayor Karen Stephens encouraged every shire resident to get involved.
“After last year’s Council election we are required to develop a Council Plan detailing our direction for the next four years,” she said.
“Council aims to ensure that future decision making is guided by you – our community.
“The Council Plan is a key document, as it sets out the direction of Council for the next four years and it is vital the community let us know what they believe council’s direction should be, so let us know what you want please.
“Your voice will inform the development of not only this document but also some of Council’s other long-term plans such as the Asset Plan, 10-Year Financial Plan and Rate and Revenue Plan.
“We aim to streamline and strengthen the connection between them.”
The engagement campaign will include face-to-face Community Conversations and post card surveys in locations across the shire, an online survey, community focus group, school activities and targeted engagement with stakeholders and partners.
Cr Stephens said while the budget consultation was a one-hour session, she believed there would be plenty of opportunity for the community to have its say on the 2025/2026 budget.
“We’re not going to kick everyone out after and hour and there are plenty of other opportunities for residents to communicate and engage with council, including online and via our customer service centres,” she said.
A replacement budget session for Nelson will also be held on Thursday, 27 February, from 11am until 12 noon in the CFA shed and in Dartmoor, later that day between 2pm and 3pm, at the Memorial Hall in Greenham St.
A flyer is being delivered to every household in the Shire with information on how to get involved, including the dates for the pop-up Community Conversations, where to get hard copy surveys and postcards and who to speak to if you have any questions or need help to Have Your Say.
For more information visit the Your Say Glenelg page or see the classifieds session in this edition.
