Media Release

Thursday, 24 September 2009

The development of the Swan Hill Community Plan is now underway after the first of a series of workshops planning the future of the city was held on Wednesday, 23 September at the Swan Hill Town Hall.

The workshop, which focused on the areas of Art, Culture and Events, saw a broad range of interested representatives gather to discuss key directions on local issues and opportunities and how art, culture and events can be better supported within the district and given greater opportunity to grow.

Mayor Greg Cruickshank, who opened the first of five workshops to be held over the coming weeks, described the community planning process as a primary objective within council.

“Community planning is a high priority within council's strategic plan, as it gives the public a way to voice their opinions and puts the community's views into perspective for Council.

“The community planning process in Swan Hill allows the community to directly shape the future of the city.”

Council's Community Planning Officer Fiona Gormann, who will facilitate each of the community planning workshops and public meetings, identified the first of the workshops as a great success.

“If the remaining four workshops are as productive as the first there will be an abundance of ideas to be presented to the wider community.”

Over the next fortnight, four workshops are scheduled to be held which will look at the areas of:

Ms Gormann will also be taking to the streets to talk directly to residents about their thoughts on ‘what makes a city perfect'.

It is hoped that information collected will identify key priorities for council, with the intention to collect these ideas to be taken to the Community Planning Public Meetings to gain comment, feedback and further suggestions.

Ms Gorman has encouraged all members of the community to participate in one of the three public meetings.

“There will be three identical public meeting sessions held to allow as many residents as possible to share in the planning process. The meetings will be held 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.”

All residents who live, work and visit Swan Hill are invited to participate and voice their opinions to shape the way forward for the city.

For further information about the community planning process please contact Fiona Gormann, Community Planning Officer, on 5036 2333 or email council@swanhill.vic.gov.au if you wish to submit ideas, questions and comments.