Busy start to the year for council

THE decision by Stephanie Asher to take a leave of absence from the council and her role as Mayor until the federal election has not come as a surprise given that from the moment her candidacy was announced, early 2022 was flagged as the likely timing.

As a council group, we are prepared for this situation – one that is not unusual at local government level in the lead-up to a state or federal election.

In line with the Local Government Act, my title remains Deputy Mayor but I’ll be carrying out all mayoral responsibilities and exercising the powers of the mayor.

From a public point of view, this means I’ll be the main spokesperson for the council and chair our council meetings, which resume on February 1.

I am honoured to take on the responsibility of leading this group of councillors, who are all very passionate and determined to get things done for our community.

All of us want to make sure we continue the momentum with the strategic work we are carrying out and our major projects.

During the first four months of every calendar year, there is always a heavy focus on planning for the upcoming financial year.

The process of developing our 2022-23 budget is under way and will accelerate as we prepare to release a draft for community feedback late in April.

We need to make sure our budget meets the community’s needs and aligns with the priorities set out in the four-year strategic document we adopted last year – Our Community Plan 2021-25.

Given we adopted a 10-year financial plan in October 2021, we have a strong starting point for the 2022-23 budget.

But there are many, many decisions to be made as we consider the changing circumstances of our city and community, new potential initiatives that have emerged since last year, and how best to deliver on the objectives of Our Community Plan.

In partnership with this year’s budget, we are also developing a Revenue and Rating Plan for the next decade.

This looks at how we collect our rates income, including what proportion of the total comes from residential, commercial and other types of properties.

Community consultation on this plan has been going for some time and there is still a survey open for anyone interested at yoursay.geelongaustralia.com.au

(it closes this Friday).

With both a federal and state election coming up, advocacy will be another key priority while I am carrying out the mayoral duties, and we’ll be seeking briefings with all candidates to outline the council’s priority projects.

These are aligned to Our Community Plan and focus on improved transport connections, economic investments, facilities for community health and wellbeing, and environmental sustainability.

And we have a huge $209m program of capital works this financial year, featuring several new community facilities that we are very much looking forward to seeing emerge out of the ground (or in the case of swimming pools, into the ground).

The council has recently awarded construction contracts for two of our most significant builds – the Northern Aquatic and Community Hub and stage 1 of the North Bellarine pool – and we will also see progress on a number of other essential community facilities as the year goes on.

Through all of this it will be important for the council to continue to monitor the ongoing Covid situation and its impact on local business and our community.

Many of the support measures we agreed on last year have continued into 2022, such as rent relief for community tenants of council-owned buildings and our quick-response recovery grants.

Right now there are quickresponse grants open for both arts projects and community events.

To apply, please visit www.geelongaustralia.com.au/ grants. There is also a range of free business support available through the City of Greater Geelong’s Economic Development team at: www.geelongbusinesssupport.com. au.

I’m looking forward to continuing to engage and listen to the community throughout this coming period, and to taking action that will help set our region up for the clever and creative future we are striving for.

ALL OF US WANT TO MAKE SURE WE CONTINUE THE MOMENTUM WITH THE STRATEGIC WORK WE ARE CARRYING OUT AND OUR MAJOR PROJECTS.