Mayor's Message – 1 July 2024

Published on 01 July 2024

June was a very busy month here at Council and I’d like to share some news, opportunities and highlights with you.

We’ve just released our 2024/2025 Budget and we have some really exciting projects and initiatives coming up over the next 12 months.

Firstly, there’s $10.59 million going towards infrastructure and improving our community facilities. That’s from a total spend of $47.99 million, so we can expect to see a lot of significant capital works projects throughout the financial year.

That’s for upgrades and maintenance works on recreation reserves, community buildings, swimming pools, footpaths and roads.

There are also some great projects included in the budget such as allocations to improve accessibility and inclusion for people with disability.

We’ll be continuing to support the Castlemaine to Maryborough Rail Trail Group in their endeavours to transform the disused rail corridor.

These are just a few highlights from the overall budget.

Community consultation is a big part of the budget process and I’m pleased that we heard from so many residents about what our community wants and needs.

Your valuable comments and input played a big part in helping to shape the budget, so I’d like to say a big thank you for your time.

You can read though the budget at www.shape.mountalexander.vic.gov.au/2024-2025-budget.

In this budget we’ve included a very special, new project that we’ve been working on, and that’s the Mount Alexander Affordable Housing Trust.

The trust will be an independent charitable organisation which will hold land and funds for the development of local affordable housing.

The trust proposal was adopted by Councillors at the June Council meeting. The next steps will see the appointment of trust advisory committee members, a trustee, and call for pledges of land and money from community members.

The land and money will then be used to develop and build affordable homes in our shire.

Council has allocated $500K from our 2024-2025 Budget to the trust because we believe it can make a long-lasting and positive difference to the lives of residents.

I’m proud to say that we’re one of only a handful of local governments in Australia to try something as unique as this.

Our vision is to reach a point where we have enough affordable housing and our community never experiences a situation like this again.

There’s a lot of detail to the trust, so visit www.shape.mountalexander.vic.gov.au/mount-alexander-affordable-housing-trust to learn more.

And finally, I want to share that we’re hosting a very exciting program of events for children and families called the FLIP Winter Children’s Festival.

This is a brand-new festival designed for children aged 0-12 and their big people to learn, grow and have fun together.

Parents have told us that winter is long and there’s not enough to do around the shire, and we want to change that.

That’s why we’re hosting five weeks of family-friendly activities, performances and experiences focused on dance, art, nature, music and play.

One of the highlights is the ‘Children’s Sensorium’, an immersive exhibition for kids aged 4-11 which explores themes of self-regulation, mindfulness and sensory connection.

Another highlight is a circus session designed for neurodivergent kids. This session is an opportunity to play in a relaxed environment with small numbers and family support.

There’s also lots of dancing sessions on – a cushion concert and dance event, a kid-friendly No Lights, No Lycra, and Dusko Disco.

Check out the program on the events page at www.mountalexander.vic.gov.au/Events.

Before I sign off for this month, I’d like to remind you to contact your local Councillor if there’s an issue you’d like to raise – we are here for you.

Till next month, take care.

Mayor Matthew Driscoll
Mount Alexander Shire Council