COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT SESSIONS

Visits to Maclean, Ilarwill, South Grafton, Nymboida, Hernani, Dundurrabin and Glenreagh

In the past quarter senior management visited the Maclean, Ilarwill and South Grafton communities, while a group of councillors accompanied by the General Manager and directors visited Nymboida, Hernani, Dundurrabin and Glenreagh.

Most of these meetings happen in community halls, and their importance in the community for gathering and socialising was often highlighted. A program of halls improvements is currently being rolled out across the Valley and it was great to see the outcomes of some of these projects. Those at Glenreagh were greeted with a freshly sanded and restored hall floor, and the pizza treat from the newly installed pizza oven was welcomed at Dundurrabin.

At Maclean the executive team heard loud and clear the need for clear and consistent messaging that reaches all corners of the Valley. There was also information sharing about development in the area, drainage issues and community safety in times of flood.

Discussion at Nymboida focused on aspects of community identity and how to improve Nymboida as a destination, such as slowing the speed zone through Nymboida, formalising trails and tracks in and around the village, signage, and park improvements. The community actively participated in Monash University’s Fire to Flourish - a five-year transitional program to support communities to lead their own recovery and create foundations for long term resilience and wellbeing.

Residents were generally appreciative when given the opportunity to speak directly with senior staff and meet and greet the councillors present. Issues raised varied, but were often in relation to the level of, and access to, services.

The Dundurrabin community has also been active in the Fire to Flourish program and has undertaken significant bush regeneration and asset zone management activities along with building social and community cohesiveness.

Access to waste services proved to be the connecting issue between Dundurrabin residents and those at Hernani, who were also concerned about the current state of Bald Hills Road.

At Glenreagh discussion included hall improvements, footpaths, heritage maintenance, drainage issues, bank erosion and flooding concerns. Securing $11.3 million from the Fixing Country Bridges program for Bluffs Bridge is critical to the ongoing safety of the Glenreagh community.

The Ilarwill visit was in response to a community request to talk about drainage and resulted in the development of a program that ensures we address these concerns. Ilarwill Community Hall is about to receive a makeover, so getting back to see the outcome will be on the agenda.

A small number of residents met with staff at South Grafton and the main topic of conversation was the future of South Grafton Pool.