Councillor Matters | Jack Blake, July 10, 2026
Published on 10 July 2026
I would like to thank all those who participated in the 2026 Victorian Community Satisfaction Survey earlier this year. The survey provides an important set of indicators that show how Northern Grampians Shire is performing alongside our local government counterparts across the state.
It is pleasing to report a five-point increase in overall performance which is a result that demonstrates a positive sentiment shift from residents towards council. However, it is equally important to recognise we cannot satisfy all ratepayers and still have some areas we can continue to improve on over the coming months.
Our financial constraints often necessitate difficult decisions that may not always align with public desire. For instance, while a cohort in the Stawell community has requested security cameras be installed at some of our public spaces, we must consider the broader implications before making installation decisions. This approach ensures we address the root cause of issues rather than merely treating symptoms that will likely continue to pop up in other areas.
In another example, I met with a healthcare professional who highlighted how sauna and steam rooms promote positive healing for athletes and ageing patrons. While financial constraints would be a significant consideration for a request such as this, we are open to exploring potential next steps where appropriate, much like we are with any formal submission or request that is made to council.
On the activity front, I recently attended the official opening of the 2026 Glow Festival in Halls Gap. Congratulations to the organising team for collating another wonderful program of events for people to experience. The lights around town make the place feel magical and I encourage everyone to head out and participate over the coming weeks.
St Arnaud has also welcomed a new modular pump track in recent weeks which was made possible thanks to funding from VicHealth. The aim is for the track to be moved to other locations in the shire over the coming years, however we will further assess this once the initial 12-month placement has concluded at Lord Nelson Park.
To conclude this column on a sombre note, a respected figure in the transport industry sadly passed away recently. Charlie Murray was more of a photographer than a truck driver. The diverse range of attendees at his funeral demonstrated the significant impact he had on people's lives. His respectful nature and treatment of others is what I most admired. His legacy is a reminder to treat others with kindness, like he did.