CEO Matters | Brent McAlister, March 13, 2026
Published on 13 March 2026
It has been a busy start to the year at council, with several plans, service reviews and advocacy plans well underway.
A vital part of the work we do is consulting with you, our community, which is why we regularly call for ideas and feedback on projects and services that matter to our people.
In the past two months we have taken stock of your wants and needs for community care and waste and recycling services, and have heard your feedback on our year two priorities for our Council Plan 2025-29.
Currently, we are asking you to have your say to help shape early years services in the shire, and to provide feedback on your experiences at Stawell Sports and Aquatic Centre, which will inform our funding advocacy plan for a potential multi-million-dollar redevelopment.
The Northern Grampians Shire Council Municipal Early Years Plan 2026-31 will bring together local government, early years and community health services, schools and families under a shared vision for Northern Grampians. The plan will aim to promote equitable access to quality early childhood opportunities, ensure early identification and intervention for developmental needs, and support families to provide strong and nurturing environments.
Council is running a community survey aimed at collecting anonymous insights from parents and carers of children aged up to eight years, which closes on Sunday, March 22, 2026.
The survey, along with information about drop-in sessions and a workshop in Stawell on Wednesday, March 18, is available on council’s website, www.ngshire.vic.gov.au.
The community can also participate in the Stawell Sports and Aquatic Centre Redevelopment Survey.
In 2022, council partnered with the State Government and Sport and Recreation Victoria to commission a feasibility study into the aquatic centre’s condition, user needs and long-term viability. The study reviewed the facility’s performance, demand projections, competition, design options, management models, and 10-year operational and maintenance costs.
In 2024, using the study’s finding and community feedback, council and the State Government progressed to producing concept designs and cost estimates.
We are now in the process of developing a funding advocacy strategy, and community feedback from the redevelopment survey will help inform our next steps. Given the scale of the cost to upgrade SSAC, the vast majority of the funding would have to come from state and federal governments. Hence, we need an advocacy strategy.
We encourage all past, present and potential future aquatic centre users to share their thoughts on the future of the facility and the services available within it.
The survey is also available on council’s website and closes on Monday, March 16.
On behalf of council, I would like to thank everyone who has completed one or more of our ‘Have your say’ opportunities.
We understand that we have asked our community to participate in five community engagement programs already in 2026, but we appreciate your willingness to help shape the future of Northern Grampians Shire.