Plans open for scrutiny
Horsham councillors have encouraged the municipality’s residents to provide feedback on proposed planning documents after endorsing drafts at their latest meeting.
Draft council, financial and asset plans are all now on public exhibition for community comment.
The draft council plan sets the municipality’s priorities for the next four years and aligns with the themes of a Community Vision 2040 – sustainability, liveability, accessibility and community, plus an additional theme of leadership.
Councillors regularly referred to the key themes during debate and discussion about the drafts at the latest monthly meeting.
The draft council plan, including a municipal public health and wellbeing plan, details plans, projects and priorities for the next four years.
The asset plan and draft financial plan 2021-22 to 2030-31 document financial resources needed for the council to support its community vision and council plan direction and goals.
Horsham mayor Robyn Gulline encouraged residents to share their views on the plans.
“During the council election last year we heard from residents that they wanted strong engagement and a clear understanding of council direction and commitments,” she said.
“This plan delivers this with the inclusion of some great ideas and valuable feedback on important priorities for the next four years that we heard through ‘Horsham Talks’ community engagements.
“The draft council plan 2021-2025 has been developed to align with the themes of the community vision 2040 and has been informed by the community engagement as well as the experience combined with fresh ideas of the councillor team.
“As a council, we are proud to endorse the draft council plan 20212025 and we look forward to hearing from our communities.”
Adopting the draft plans attracted considerable discussion at the August meeting, with councillors in unanimous support of releasing draft council and financial plans for community feedback.
Some questioned the need to accept the draft asset plan before gaining community feedback on other plans, and a process involved in how the plans could evolve with changing circumstances.
They ultimately agreed to also place the draft asset plan out for public scrutiny.
People can provide their input into the process online at www.hrcc.vic. gov.au/have-your-say/councilplan-asset-plan-and-long-termfinancial-plan.