Council adopts Annual Report 2023/2024

Published on 28 October 2024

Mount Alexander Shire Council formally adopted the Annual Report 2023/2024 at the meeting of Council on Tuesday 10 September.

The report outlines Council’s performance and achievements over the past financial year. It also provides a summary of highlights and shares the progress made towards objectives in the 2021-2025 Council Plan, under the pillars of:

A healthy, connected and inclusive community
An environment for people and nature
A resilient and growing local economy

It also includes a number of case studies, service performance indicators, and detail regarding Council’s about our financial sustainability and governance arrangements.

Mount Alexander Shire Council’s Mayor, Cr Matthew Driscoll, said that Council is proud to showcase the impactful work done over the last 12 months.

“The Annual Report is informed by the ten year Community Vision in the 2021-2025 Council Plan,” said Mayor Driscoll.

“This means that not matter what we’re working on, we’re always thinking about our community, our environment and our local economy.

“The report outlines all the projects and initiatives we’re completed, and celebrates all the good work we’ve done (and awards received!).

“I’d like to thank and acknowledge the work of Council staff, who provide more than 100 different services to the community, and Councillors for their commitment and leadership throughout the year.

“I’m also incredibly proud of the way Councillors, Council staff and the wider community work together on projects and initiatives, always keeping our community in mind.

“I encourage you to have a look through the report – particularly the very interesting and comprehensive case studies – and celebrate all the positive work we do together in our community.”

The Annual Report 2023/2024 is available to read on Council’s website at www.mountalexander.vic.gov.au/AnnualReport.

A hardcopy of the report is available at the Castlemaine Civic Centre.

Mount Alexander Shire Council – Year in Review

Below is a snapshot of our achievements in the 2023/2024 financial year. More detailed information is provided in the ‘Progress Report’ and ‘Performance Statement’ sections of the Annual Report 2023/2024.

July 2023

Installed infrastructure and commenced gas flaring at the recently capped Castlemaine landfill. The flare converts methane gas to carbon dioxide resulting in lower carbon emissions for the shire.
Invited local artists to collaborate with us and provide programming ideas for our outdoor public space, Mechanics Lane in Castlemaine.
Recruited and appointed a Community Flood Resilience Coordinator and Officer to support communities in emergency preparedness and recovery.
Completed upgrades to Newstead Memorial Park playground.

August 2023

Held the Battle of the Bands music competition for young people aged 12-25 years of age.
Received Federal Government funding to develop the Newstead Flood Study to identify and address gaps in current flood protection controls in the town.
Hosted primary school students from Campbells Creek and Winters Flat in our Council Chambers as part of the Passions and Pathways program.
Upgraded the scoreboard at Doug Powell Oval following funding from the Victorian Government through its Local Sports Infrastructure Fund and the Castlemaine Football Netball Club Juniors.

September 2023

Completed flood recovery repair work on sections of the Campbells Creek trail, between Johnstone Street and Lewis Drive, and Forest and Johnstone streets.
Awarded almost $50,000 in grants to 16 community groups as part of our Community Grants program.
Councillors adopted the Disability Inclusion Action Plan, which provides guidance for how Council can improve inclusion and accessibility for all residents and visitors.
Councillors adopted the Active Transport Strategy, which provides a direction for Council to partner with community, government agencies and organisations to improve active transport opportunities and outcomes for residents.

October 2023

Councillors unanimously voted to continue to provide and expand Council’s aged care services to local clients.
Celebrated the Victorian Seniors Festival with the live music concert, ‘Get Rhythm’ at the Castlemaine Town Hall.
Facilitated the Youth Mental Health First Aid program to enable parents and carers to support young people experiencing mental health issues.
Commenced road works along Bendigo-Sutton Grange Road at Sandy Creek, Metcalfe following the October 2022 severe weather event.
Celebrated local young filmmakers at the COscars Youth Film Festival, held at Theatre Royal in Castlemaine.
Invited the community to meet Council staff and Councillors face-to-face at the inaugural Council Open Day held at the Castlemaine Town Hall.

November 2023

Celebrated local businesses with more than 130 community members at the 2023 Mount Alexander Business Awards.
Provided funding via the Community Christmas Celebration Grants program to the towns of Muckleford, Harcourt, Guildford, Newstead, Taradale, Elphinstone, Baringhup and Maldon.
Supported prevention of gender-based violence by participating in the annual Rotary Truck Show with a decorated Council truck.
Awarded $38,000 to 18 groups to host events across the shire as part of our Event Grants program.
Councillors adopted the Reconciliation Plan 2023- 2026 which outlines the reconciliation initiatives we are implementing, as well as the aspirational goals of what we would like to deliver.
Offered free green waste disposal to residents and ratepayers to help prepare homes and properties for the fire danger period.

December 2023

Councillors unanimously voted on a proposal to allocate leases on two parcels of Council land in Maldon and Newstead for the purposes of affordable housing.
Supported Castlemaine Community House to host the annual Community Christmas Lunch.
Local support provided for the International Day of People with Disability, with an event at the Castlemaine Botanical Gardens. The event featured a live radio broadcast, silent disco, free barbecue and the launch of Council’s recently adopted 2023-2027 Disability Inclusion Action Plan.

January 2024

Hosted a free, family-friendly community event for Australia Day – Survival Day, which included a Welcome to Country, a citizenship ceremony, the presentation of Australia Day Awards, a live concert and catering.
Conducted consultation on Council’s services and performance as part of the annual Community Satisfaction Survey.
Improved change rooms at Camp Reserve including new universal bathrooms, painting and new flooring. Funded by the Australian Government’s Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program (LRCI) and Council.
Commenced work to repair the sandstone at Castlemaine’s historic Market Building.

February 2024

Completed reconstruction works along a 2.24km section of Fogartys Gap Road to improve road safety. Funding is through the Australian Government’s Black Spot Program.
Continued flood recovery works from severe rainfall during December 2023 and January 2024. The most severely impacted roads were in the north and northeast parts of the shire, with isolated damage elsewhere.
Installed four banner poles along the Forest Street side of Western Reserve in Castlemaine to display flags that promote events and festivals in the shire.
Appointed community members to our new Public Art Advisory Panel.
Undertook asphalt road patching on Parker Street and Walker Street, Castlemaine, either side of the railway line from Flowserv to the Bridge Hotel.

March 2024

Further reduced Council’s fleet emissions through the purchase of a second electric vehicle and electric bicycles for staff use. Approximate 12% reduction in ghg emissions as a result of these actions.
Hosted flood recovery event with David Younger, disaster recovery and preparedness expert, in Newstead and Campbells Creek. Completed works in Mostyn Street Castlemaine to improve parking access and drainage.
Mount Alexander `Shire Councillors, staff and family members proudly marched at Daylesford’s annual LGBTIQA+ event, ChillOut Festival to show their support for an inclusive community.
Undertook asphalt works to improve the road surface in the Castlemaine CBD area.
Completed improvements at Norwood Hill Recreation Reserve, which included upgrades to the sports court to accommodate basketball, soccer, netball, parkour, tennis and cricket. We’ve also added new paths and picnic settings, planted shady trees, and updated the barbecue shelter.

April 2024

Provided almost $50,000 in funding to 16 community groups through the latest round of our Community Grants program.
Improved Campbells Creek Netball Courts, following funding by Sport and Recreation Victoria and the Australian Government’s Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program (LRCI).
Completed stage two restoration works at the former Wesleyan Church in Chewton.
Invited community members to meet their local Councillors as part of the launch of the 2024 listening post program.
Upgraded the kitchen at the Senior Citizens Centre in Castlemaine.

May 2024

Received a Maggolee Award from Reconciliation Victoria for our Australia Day – Survival Day event on 26 January 2024. The awards celebrate and recognise strong partnerships between Victorian local governments and First Nations Peoples.
Celebrated the official opening of the Taradale Youth Space, a partnership between local community, Council and the State Government which saw the transformation of the old tennis court in the town into an interactive youth space.
Commemorated Sorry Day and National Reconciliation Week with events open to the community.
Invited community members to help implement active transport solutions as part of our Active Transport External Working Group.

June 2024

Councillors voted unanimously to establish an affordable housing trust, which will hold lands and funds for the development of affordable housing locally
Hosted the inaugural and incredibly successful FLIP Winter Children’s Festival, an exciting program of events for kids aged 0-12 and their caregivers.
Commissioned proud Djaara woman, Daikota Nelson to design a wall mural as part of the redevelopment of the Norwood Hill Playground. The mural aims to make the space welcoming for all park visitors, including young people, children, families, local residents and First Nations communities.
Councillors adopted a new Fair Access Policy to increase access for all in community sport.
Upgraded sports lighting at Bill Woodfull Recreation Reserve and Maldon Recreation Reserve following funding from Sports and Recreation Victoria.
Supported 18 event organisers with almost $40,000 in funding to enable them to deliver events that foster connection and community in the shire.