COVID support among council’s achievements

A community and business support package during the COVID-19 pandemic was a key achievement of Baw Baw Shire, according to the annual report recently presented to council.

Presenting the report, mayor Danny Goss said council empathised and understood the enormous hardship and consequences the pandemic had on the community.

Advocating for government funding for major infrastructure projects will continue to be a priority for council.

“Council continues to heavily advocate for vital road infrastructure projects in growth areas of Drouin and Warragul. Late last year we hosted a meeting with State Government department leaders who are aware that our arterial road network needs serious investment, particularly to keep up with both current and future growth,” Cr Goss said.

The annual report details council’s performance, achievements, and financial statements for the financial year.

Key facts listed in the annual report showed Baw Baw’s current population is almost 54,000 people of which 20 per cent are aged under 15-years-old and 20 per cent are over 65-years.

Council received 419 planning applications for the year; inspected 425 food premises; and, conducted 603 first maternal child health home visits.

There are 10,775 registered cats and dogs in the shire.

The report also showed there were 189,102 visits to indoor aquatic facilities; 9871 visits to outdoor aquatic facilities; and, 126,415 library visits by 7180 active library members.

Council introduced a virtual assistant on the website to ensure customers can receive an immediate response to their queries, at any hour. Since April 2020, BawBot has successfully engaged in more than 3000 interactions.

Cr Goss said despite the unprecedented challenges of the past few months, council had successfully delivered several major initiatives that will benefit the community for years to come.

“This has dozens and dozens of milestones and projects,” he said.

Cr Goss said the report showed council was in a very good financial positions.

Cr Michael Leaney said despite the last quarter of the year being COVID affected, council still delivered.

He said staff working remotely was a dramatic change for any organisation to go through and “the fact we keep delivering is a credit from the ceo down.”

“I am proud that council was able to deliver the stage one Covid-19 business and community support package within such a short timeframe, when our businesses needed it most,” he said.

Cr Darren Wallace said three “special mention” highlights were council delivering a sustainable, balanced budget; a new roads maintenance contract which was “so far so good;” and, BawBot which was an example of “pure simple excellent customer service.”

Chief executive officer Mark Dupe said the Be Kind to Business directory and promotional campaign was launched to encourage residents to support local businesses during COVID and a community and business financial support package was in place to assist businesses, community groups, clubs and ratepayers with financial relief measures.