Mayor's Message – 31 March 2025
Published on 31 March 2025
Hi everyone! I hope you’ve been enjoying the cooler weather, as we finally get a taste of Autumn – and some rain!
It’s been another busy month here. Councillors are well and truly back into the swing of regular briefings and meetings, and Council officers, the Executive Team and Councillors have been working hard preparing our 2025/2026 Budget, and our 2025-2029 Council Plan and Municipal Public Health & Wellbeing Plan.
2025/2026 Budget
The budget process has been a particularly challenging one this year. As a regional Council, we face increasing challenges operating under rate-capping.
We have a relatively small population compared to the area we cover, we have a lot of roads, bridges, and other assets to maintain and renew, and we provide over 100 services to our community.
On top of that, the effects of the housing and cost-of-living crises are affecting so many people and organisations in our shire, and community need is extremely high.
Our draft budget will soon be available for community feedback. We hope that we’ve been able to find a good balance, while juggling competing priorities and needs.
Council Plan, Municipal Public Health and Wellbeing Plan, and Community Vision
We’re currently inviting all members of our communities to tell us about the things that matter to them now, and into the future, as we create our 2025-2029 Council Plan and Municipal Public Health and Wellbeing Plan, and check in on our ten-year Community Vision.
There are lots of different ways to get involved and you can provide as little or as much feedback as you’d like. Keep your eyes out for our snazzy postcards all around our shire, head to a drop-in session or Councillor listening post, or get involved online at Shape Mount Alexander.
These three documents will guide Council’s direction over the next four years. and we can’t get that right without hearing from as many people as possible.
I’ve been spending time with some of our youngest community members, visiting schools, kinders and childcare centres across the shire, hearing from kids about what’s important to them, why they love living here, and what could make it even better. It’s been heart-warming, informative and very fun!
Lots of events on this month!
Speaking of fun, there’s been such a lot going on across the shire this month. I try to get out and about as much as I can – but couldn’t possibly make it to everything. We’re so lucky to have the range of quality events, performances, exhibitions and experiences here that we do.
Some of the wonderful events I’ve been to this month include:
- Stitched in the ‘Maine – A beautiful exhibition of embroidery and textile art held by the Castlemaine Branch of the Embroiderers Guild of Victoria. I’m always so blown away by what can be created using fabric, yarn and other textiles.
- Harcourt Applefest – An annual celebration of Harcourt, apples, families, friends and fun. This year’s seemed like the biggest on yet, and I almost got to ride a camel!
- Taradale Mineral Spring Festival – An event held annually in the beautiful Taradale Mineral Springs Reserve, showcasing local food and drinks, art, makers, performers and musicians. It was a joy to see one of my former Councillor colleagues in her element on the dancefloor.
- Castlemaine Idyll – An event so dear to my heart that I couldn’t not go, even though it was really, really warm. Watching a lineup of locals (old and new, and young and old) sing their hearts out to a roaring crowd, while the kids run around in tiny gangs, is such a lovely way to spend an afternoon and evening.
- Victorian Goldfields Railway – reopening 20th anniversary – A wonderful celebration marking twenty years since the Maldon/Castlemaine line reopened. I haven’t been on the steam train since my fifth birthday party, and it was such a joy to share the experience with my younger daughter, and rekindle my own wonder.
- Castlemaine Fringe Festival – An absolute banger of a festival that is STILL GOING (until 6 April). If you haven’t gotten along to anything yet, do yourself a favour and check out their incredible program. For those of you who attended the Opening Night Street Party Spectacular, you may have seen a certain Mayor performing with her girl gang dance group – and having an excellent time!
There were also three important launches this month:
Campbells Creek Recreation Reserve changerooms
Deputy Mayor Heydon joined Lisa Chesters MP, along with Councillors, Council officers, and Campbells Creek Recreation Reserve committee members and users to officially launch the new changerooms. These will help ensure that everyone who plays sport at the reserve has access to appropriate changerooms and facilities.
Vaughan-Tarilta low level crossing
Everyone then headed out to Vaughan. I was slightly late due to a “cows on the road” situation – but finally made it, too. This was such an exciting project to see to fruition – after more than ten years of advocacy by the community. Former Councillor, Christine Henderson, who had championed this project for many years, spoke passionately about its history and how wonderful it was to see it completed.
You can read more about these projects, both funded – in part – by the Federal Government’s Local Roads and Community Infrastructure program, here.
Goldfields Track Visitor Experience Enhancement Launch
Last week, Councillors and Council staff joined the Goldfields Track committee, Maree Edwards MP, and representatives from Djaara and Wuddurrung Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation, as well as other partner organisations, to celebrate the completion of the Goldfields Track Visitor Ready Interpretation and Engagement Project.
The 210km track now features over 70 interpretive signs along its length, sharing the stories, language, culture, and art of Djaara and Wadawurrung people. If you’re yet to explore the Goldfields Track – which stretches from Bendigo to Ballarat – you can find out all about it here.
Remember, you can always contact Councillors – find our details here – or talk to us at a Listening post. Just remember, we’re people, too, and we can only do our best.
I hope you all have a safe and happy school holidays (if they affect you) and Easter (if that’s something you celebrate)!
That’s it from me (for now).
Rosie
Mayor Rosie Annear
Mount Alexander Shire Council