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Mayor’s message
YEAR IN REVIEW
MAYOR’S MESSAGE
In my second term as Mayor, I’m proud to present the annual report for 2021-2022 on behalf of my fellow councillors. While we have still felt the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s also been a busy year with major projects coming to fruition and our city’s growth continuing to move forward at a rapid pace. Health has been a key topic and we will continue to advocate for a new hospital and improved health services at all levels of government. As councillors, we felt and saw the community’s passion and interest for Junction Place, a key precinct in our city centre, and we will continue to advocate for the best possible outcome for this significant site. We have a great opportunity to reset the development and deliver a transformation of our CBD, working with Development Victoria and the community. Our Two Cities One Community partnership has been reaffirmed with the new councillor groups and we saw the signing and finalisation of the Regional Deal with attention turning to its implementation. It was an honour to officially open Hyphen – Wodonga Library Gallery with Member for Northern Victoria Jaclyn Symes in August. In its first year, it has had more than 90,000 visits, featured more than 15 exhibitions and run 400 programs. It’s been very exciting to see the start of works at Baranduda Fields with the services, roads and the start of the playing fields taking shape. We see continued investment in our city with ongoing interest in Logic, burgeoning housing development and businesses moving into our CBD. It was great to get out in the community as part of our engagement activities this year, following months of restrictions, and having the opportunity to talk and get feedback on a range of matters including our budget, transport and our parks. We welcomed many new citizens through citizenship ceremonies – online and in-person - throughout the year. David Martin OAM was named Wodonga’s Citizen of the Year on Australia Day, recognition for this many years of service to the disability sector and the RSL. In May, we recognised our volunteers at the Volunteer of the Year awards with a return to an in-person event since the outbreak of COVID-19. We look forward to welcoming our community back to many events and ceremonies in 2022-2023. On behalf of my fellow councillors, I would like to thank our community for your support in 20212022 and for everything you do to make our city great.
