Mayoral Matters - July 2021

FROM THE MAYOR 

As the month draws to a close, I just want to commend everyone in Northern Grampians Shire Council for their dedication to keeping our community safe from Coronavirus this month. 

I see you wearing masks, sanitising, keeping your distance and staying home where possible. I see businesses abiding by the new regulations to display QR codes for customers to check in. Your efforts have contributed no doubt to the reassuring news that we continue to have zero local cases of Coronavirus: a testament to your commitment to abide by the restrictions. 

As we know, vaccination is your best defence against Coronavirus, and I encourage you to speak to your GP about your eligibility and health concerns and if you can, roll up your sleeve and get the jab. Our customer service staff and the council website has current information from local health authorities on where to get the vaccine.  

To date, Victoria is leading the charge in the Australia-wide vaccination program; more than 1.5 million Victorians have participated. Nationally, 45% of us over the age of 16, have had the first dose and I look forward to seeing that percentage rise, because it will see the return of many freedoms that we miss. 

It is looking promising that we will be moving to a form of COVIDNormal again this week, pending an announcement from Premier Daniel Andrews tomorrow. 

For businesses who have felt the impact of Lockdown 5.0, I would encourage you to get in touch with our Business Team via email business@ngshire.vic.gov.au or phone 03 5358 8700 as there is a raft of ways Council can assist you including a newly announced batch of State Government financial support that may be applicable.   

My fellow Councillors and I have made a number of decisions this month that will deliver on goals outlined in our Council Plan.  

Firstly, we adopted the Arts and Council Action Plan 2021-22 which will place a special focus on raising the profile of grassroots arts activities, foster an inclusive creative community and celebrate the unique flavour of our local arts groups through place activation. We know the arts has a well-defined role to play in personal and communal wellbeing and is also a big driver of our economy particularly the public art on display in our shire for tourists.  

Secondly, to meet our objective of providing sustainable infrastructure, we approved a development plan for 20 Valley Drive in Halls Gap to allow subdivision of this block. I am sure this decision is welcome given the shortage of affordable land for residential building in our shire. 

Several projects are in the news this month. It was wonderful to host Frank McGuire MP visit to Stawell alongside the kindergarten community and the Positive Policing Unit to officially declare the completion of the security lighting project at Taylors Gully Park. 

Residents at Stawell and Halls Gap will have been aware of new parks in the making in the central business districts and a media release outlining this project is also being released today. 

Our parks and facilities maintenance crew have been hard at work putting the finishing touches on Queen Mary Gardens and despite lockdown and wet weather delays, Lord Nelson Park and the North Park community gardens and dog park are also moving along. We look forward to showcasing these projects for you in due course. 

My parting message to you all is to stay well and to stay optimistic. We are here with open hearts to listen to your needs and to support you in whatever way as we ride this rollercoaster of virus control. In our joint quest to return to a more normal phase of life, look after and look out for each other as my fellow councillors, council staff and I intend to do for you.