Council considers annual report

At the Council Meeting this week Mount Alexander Shire Council considered its annual report outlining the organisation’s performance and achievements for the 2018/2019 financial year.

The report provides a summary of highlights and progress against objectives in the Council Plan under the strategic pillars of Our People, Our Place and Our Economy.

It includes an audited performance statement and financial report on a budget of nearly $37 million, as well as information on governance, partnerships and advocacy.

“This is the second year we report against the objectives in our four year Council Plan to work towards our vision of being a creative, innovative and connected shire,” said Mayor Bronwen Machin, Mount Alexander Shire Council.

“The annual report demonstrates the amazing amount of work we are doing to benefit our community – this happens brilliantly, innovatively and with great efficiency.

“I would like to thank and acknowledge the work of staff who provide more than 100 different services, and councillors for their commitment and leadership throughout the year,” she said.

The annual report was delivered to the Minister for Local Government by 30 September 2019, in accordance with the Local Government Act 1989.

The financial report and performance statement were signed off by the Victorian Auditor General’s Office (VAGO) in September.

Download the report and annual report summary from the news and publications section of Council’s website at www.mountalexander.vic.gov.au.


Image: Rosalie celebrates Australia Day at the community event.

Our People
• Adopted the Mount Alexander Early Years Plan 2018-2021 and delivered the Supported Playgroups program to support families and children.
• Worked with young people on programs and events such as Mondo Lounge, Battle of the Bands, Young Maker’s Market, youth festival and awards.
• Provided 18,750 hours of home, respite and personal care, and delivered more than 6,000 meals, to help clients live independently at home.
• Ran active living programs This Girl Can and Walk to School, and took part in the Healthy Heart of Victoria initiative across the Loddon Mallee region.
• Convened a roundtable to identify issues to improve the health and social outcomes of people in our community who identify as LGBTIQ+.
• Provided more than $100,000 in community grants to more than 30 community groups.
• Facilitated a roundtable and supported events such as National Reconciliation Week to recognise and acknowledge the Indigenous heritage in our shire.

Our Place
• Opened the $2.43 million multi-use sports pavilion at Wesley Hill Recreation Reserve, and installed new floodlights at ovals in Wesley Hill and Chewton.
• Adopted streetscape plans for seven towns, developed in consultation with the community.
• Started construction of an all ages and abilities play space at Victory Park, and worked with the community to design a new play space for Harcourt.
• Started a five-year contract with Veolia Environmental for the collection of household waste and recycling
• Completed the annual road resealing, reconstruction, re-sheeting programs and footpath renewals, and trialled new ways to improve our gravel roads.
• Completed works to improve drainage and reduce flood risk in Castlemaine and Campbells Creek.
• Adopted the Castlemaine Urban Waterways Plan to manage public land around local creeks.
• Developed an educational campaign to highlight the dangers of Queensland Fruit Fly and how to protect our local horticulture industry.

Our Economy
• Worked with Bendigo Regional Tourism to develop a new tourism website, and introduced an online booking system for accommodation and events.
• Partnered with Castlemaine State Festival to support the 10 day festival and ran the Phee Broadway Theatre At Home Residency program for local creatives.
• Consulted the community on Plan Harcourt to update the planning framework and identify initiatives to create jobs and drive economic growth as part of the Shine Harcourt project.
• Started a project to determine the cost, viability and benefits of restoring the historic streetscape, shopfronts and undergrounding power in Maldon.
• Endorsed a plan to lease the former Castlemaine Secondary College campus to pave the way for a new training, education and business incubator.
• Finalised a review of the local planning scheme, and introduced planning overlays to provide better flood protection in Castlemaine, Chewton and Campbells Creek.
• Developed an organisational culture framework to guide how the organisation works together and strives to be exceptional in delivering services for our community.

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