Community puts shoulder to wheel

Horsham councillors have spoken enthusiastically about high level and passionate community engagement before adopting a long-term direction plan.

All spoke glowingly at a meeting on Monday night of the process that led to them unanimously voting to support a Horsham Rural City Community Vision.

The community vision is designed to help provide direction for municipal decisions for the next 20 years.

A declaration in the vision is that ‘In 2041, Horsham region is a vibrant, liveable hub that thrives on strong economic growth and social connectedness. Empowering people to live, work and access opportunities for recreation and culture, now and into the future’.

A heavily patronised independent community panel used community feedback and engagement during the first six months of 2021 to develop the plan.

The community vision supports other strategic documents including a council plan, health and wellbeing plan, asset plan and long-term financial plan.

Cr Claudia Haenel led the council in reflecting on delight and enthusiasm surrounding engagement involved in developing the plan.

She said the process, which attracted the interest of 90 people to be part of the panel, had strongly promoted ideals of transparency, accountability, openness and fairness.

“Wow! I cannot say enough about this positive and immersive processive process between council and community,” she said.

Cr Haenel said she could not think of better themes that underpinned the vision – sustainability, livability, accessibility and community.

“This is the start of an exciting future, led by an exciting vision.”

Other councillors echoed the sentiments, Cr David Bowe saying the document reflected community diversity.

“It clearly outlines community values and sets out a long-term vision and recommendations that makes our community an even better place to work, live and play for the next 20 years,” he said.

The council invited every household across the municipality to participate in the community panel, attracting more than 90 expressions of interest.

An independent consultancy firm selected 36 participants based on assurances of an even representation of demographics.

Participant numbers reduced to 26 following Victoria’s June COVID lockdown, which forced a rescheduling of meetings.

The panel managed to host its faceto-face sessions over three Sundays from June 20 to July 4 at Horsham Town Hall.

Wider public engagement to gather community feedback, under the banner ‘Horsham Talks’ occurred between February and May.

This involved online engagement, face-to-face ‘pop-up’ sessions, surveys and community feedback. It attracted 937 responses.

Cr Ian Ross made a point of the volunteer effort involved in the plan.

“I think it will give clear direction forward. It’s a wonderful document,” he said.

Cr Penny Flynn said the vigilance of panel members during challenging circumstances through COVID-19 demonstrated commitment and Crs Di Bell and Les Power were also glowing in praise.

Cr Bell, reflecting on a final vision presentation to councillors on July 4: “I could feel the passion in the room and the commitment... I found it quite exciting.”

Cr Power: “Its fantastic. I’d like to think when we do community panels again people will take an interest in what we’re trying to achieve. Council needs all the support it can get and I encourage everyone young and old to be involved.”

Mayor Robyn Gulline thanked the 937 people who provided information for the vision.

“At the end of the day it is all about community,” she said

The plan went to the council unchanged for adoption.