COUNCILLOR'S COLUMN

With Cr Rob Guthrie

One of the most challenging processes that councillors and staff face each year is determining the council budget. There are so many worthwhile projects competing for limited funds.

During September 2022 we requested that the community be provided with an opportunity to inform the development of budget priorities via Survey Monkey (online) and written submissions. Ninety responses were received.

In April this year the draft budget was released for consultation with 41 submissions received.

We are very pleased with the community involvement in the budget process which resulted in a number of new inclusions. As an example, the council was able to include $80,000 for the Macedon Tennis Club perimeter fence project, with another $20,000 provided by the club and $20,000 provided by the Gisborne Community Bank (Bendigo Bank) to complete the $120,000 project.

Cr Bonanno mentioned in last month’s Gazette some items that were being considered. There are many others including footpaths in Howey Street between Goode and Prince Street, and in Station Road, New Gisborne, extending to Ferrier Road and the primary school. Others include the rebuilding of 1.8km of Hamilton Road, New Gisborne, and undertaking detailed design/ planning for implementation of stage one of the Dixon Field master plan. If you require further information, the budget is available on our website at mrsc.vic.gov.au.

By the time you read this, the July council meeting will have considered five further items for consultation, two of which involve land in the South Ward and two which are shire-wide strategies. Again, we appreciate as much feedback as possible and I encourage you to be involved.

There are many community events planned, such as the Youth Awards presentation on 10 August; again full details are available on the website.

Please call me on 0419 309 953 or email rguthrie@mrsc.com.au if I can be of any assistance.

Calling for Local Hero nominations

The 2023 Local Hero Award will be awarded at Carols by Candlelight on 10 December.

Nominations of Local Heroes are now open, so if you know of someone who has dedicated much to the Gisborne community in a voluntary capacity and deserves recognition, please nominate them, and let us know their community contributions.

Last year's Local Hero was former Gazette editor Bryan Power. We look forward to celebrating another Local Hero at this year’s Carols, which will again be held at Dixon Field. Please send nominations to gisbornelocalhero@gmail.com by 10 November or contact Bronwyn Tacey on 0417 028 605 for further information.

Gisborne Community Carols Committee