The draft plan is based on an extensive community engagement program undertaken earlier this year, which heard from more than 800 community members, staff and groups contributing their aspirations for the future.
“Campaspe Tomorrow 2040 is fundamentally a plan by the community for the community,” council chief executive Declan Moore said.
“In June this year, after the community engagement program concluded, we released the initial summary of this community feedback.
“This was a checkpoint; calling on the community to take a look at the summary results and let us know if something was missing or misinterpreted.
“This step has been part of preparing the Campaspe Tomorrow draft, as well as the Council Plan and Municipal Public Health and Wellbeing Plan, which were recently out on exhibition.”
Key themes highlighted by the community as important are outlined in the Campaspe Tomorrow plan, including ‘a place where we belong’, ‘activity for all’, ‘an environment for all, now and always’, and more.
“The plan then documents the priorities in each theme, and the role that communities, businesses and individuals can do, what council can do in partnership with the community, and what council solely can do,” Mr Moore said.
“What we heard was a resounding positive view of the future of our shire, with 93 per cent of residents reporting their community is a great place to live.
“Understanding the current strengths and challenges today is also part of the plan.
“Strengths need to be captured so that we can build on them, and challenges that we are committed to addressing through partnership and collaboration with the community and other levels of government.”
Three key principles underpin delivery of the community vision: inclusion, respect and sustainability.
The Campaspe Tomorrow 2040 draft is on display until Friday, October 8, and is available at campaspe.vic.gov.au/Our-council/Now-open