Mayor's Message Cr Chris Meddows-Taylor Tuesday 8 June 2021

Published on 08 June 2021

After a period of confidence with the lifting of Covid restrictions, the return of tourists and interest in local real estate from those making a tree-change, the lockdown last week was a reminder that Covid is a continuing foe. For our businesses this was a real blow. So how can Council assist?

In our community Budget briefing sessions, we discussed Council’s role in advocacy and lobbying to state and federal government. We also work on this with other councils across the region and sector to provide added impact.

Council has joined with councils in the Bendigo Loddon region to request the Victorian Government to  consider the impact on regional Victoria on lockdowns which could possibly be confined to Melbourne. It is good to note just announced added Victorian Government support to regional businesses.

Last month working with 37 other councils within Rural Councils Victoria summit, we explored opportunities for population growth and added prosperity and creative ways to addressing how we can deliver better services and progress key economic opportunities within a rate-capping environment and with staff shortages in key areas like building surveying, engineering and planning.

We have also raised these issues with the Municipal Association of Victoria as a state-wide Council forum.

 Last week Council agreed to lead a group of councils seeking enhanced passenger rail services within the Ballarat Central Highlands region including weekend services into our Shire.

Advocacy is an ongoing essential task of Council which we persist with because it can make a big difference for the better.