Media Release

Wednesday, 21 October 2009

Swan Hill Rural City Council would like to invite community members to come along and contribute to what makes a city perfect? by participating in one of the three Community Plan public meetings in November.

The meetings will shape the future of the city and will be held in the Swan Hill Town Hall on Tuesday, 10 November commencing at 10.30 am, Wednesday, 11 November commencing at 2.00 pm and Thursday, 12 November commencing at 7.00 pm.

Council's Community Planning Officer Fiona Gormann said people at the meetings will be asked to collectively identify and vote on what they would like to see in the first City of Swan Hill Community Plan.

“Everyone's views will be heard and it is important that people attend to identify what is important for the future of the City of Swan Hill. Decision making will be based on a democratic process, where the majority rules,” Ms Gormann said.

Swan Hill Rural City Mayor Cr Greg Cruickshank said Council needed to find out the community's aspirations for the future of the city.

“The Community Plan is not a Council Plan, it is entirely up to our residents and what the majority of the people agree to at the public meetings,” he said.

“What ends up in the plan will help Council to make decisions and budget allocations for the future.”

Preliminary Community Planning workshops have already been held and focussed on a number of themes including art, culture, sport, recreation, health, wellbeing, education, business and sustainable living, while street talk, household surveys and a number of barbecues in open space areas have provided the opportunity to hear from families and individuals in their own time.

Community Planning brochures have already been sent out to households requesting residents' thoughts on what makes a city perfect?

The meetings to date have seen a number of ideas being suggested, which will be presented at the Community Plan public meeting to consider as well as identifying potential new initiatives.

Some of the ideas already raised by residents include improving the entrances to the City of Swan Hill, having major events and festivals, a cinema and ten pin bowling, population growth, water-saving initiatives, opportunities for renewable energy such as geothermal, natural gas, nuclear power and solar power.

“There is such a variety of suggestions and it is important to give everyone an opportunity to have their say and we encourage people to come along to the meetings and decide on what residents would like to see in the City of Swan Hill Community Plan,” Ms Gormann said.

Additional community planning brochures can be obtained from Council's Splatt Street Office and must be returned by Friday, 30 October 2009.

For further information about the community planning process, to submit ideas, questions and comments or to RSVP to the meetings, please contact Fiona Gormann, Community Planning Officer on 5036 2392 or email council@swanhill.vic.gov.au.