Media Release

Thursdaqy, 29 July 2010

Held on Tuesday, 6 July at the Swan Hill Town Hall, the second City of Swan Hill Community Planning Forum featured a number of reports from focus groups working towards priorities listed within the plan.

This included discussion regarding the plan's formal purpose and vision statement (with ideas to be collected and discussed at the next meeting) and focus group reports on the Cinema and Ten Pin Bowls project, Motor Sports Feasibility Study, Major and Small Events/Festivals Committee, infrastructure and more.

The Major and Small Events/Festival group discussed the Swan Hill Region Information Centre displaying a summary list of events occurring throughout the year, including a detailed list of events for the coming month. The group continues to source information about local events, support local events where possible and look into grant opportunities.

The focus group investigating a multi-purpose art facility will now commence developing a business plan to further scope the project, including what it will look like, how it will be managed and sustained, as well as how the facility will promote local artist opportunities within the community. It is proposed that the arts facility will be a place where artists can create, display and sell art.

It was identified by the infrastructure focus group at their meeting in June to support sporting groups within Swan Hill who are seeking funds to maintain or improve sporting facilities by providing letters of support.

The focus group has also asked Council to continue to work on the River Precinct and Swan Hill Aerodrome initiatives and to regularly update the community on their progress through community plan forums.

Swan Hill Rural City Council's Economic Development Officer Claire Oswin presented current developments within this area and how Council is currently looking to build a case for demand for a community solar power and natural gas project. The community will continue to be updated through community planning forums on the progress of this priority.

After gathering feedback from local residents, the Swan Hill VCAL students have developed a George Lay Concept Plan. The students have worked in conjunction with Council officers who have attended a number of sessions at the College to support and provide information including technical requirements to develop the park.

Council has also made allocations through the Four Year Major Projects program to see developments come to fruition and funds will also be used to leverage additional funding as opportunities arise.

A funding opportunity was also presented at the forum and has since been discussed with those involved in the development at George Lay Park. The Victorian Government's Community Facility Funding Program (minor facility category) has now received an application for the construction of a playground with the infrastructure focus group providing a letter of support. The result will be known in September 2010.

The next Community Planning Forum will be held on Wednesday, 6 October 2010 at the Swan Hill Town Hall. For more information on community planning please contact Community Planning Officer Fiona Gormann on 5036 2392 or email fgormann@swanhill.vic.gov.au.