As part of the 2026 community priorities ahead of the state election, I’m pleased to see Golden Plains Shire Council advocating for the significant investment needed to improve transport and mobility options for current residents, as well as to support the Shire’s projected population growth—from 26,000 today to around 40,000 by 2040.
According to future growth and transport modelling in the G21 Integrated Transport Strategy, a “business as usual” approach would see car travel times increase dramatically. For example, average travel times between Bannockburn and Geelong are forecast to rise by an estimated 171%.
This highlights why strategic transport planning is essential to protecting the quality of life for Golden Plains residents and ensuring safe, efficient movement across the region as we transition to a lower carbon future.
Active transport and e-mobility infrastructure has to be part of future strategy, providing health and connectivity benefits whilst ameliorating traffic congestion and the need for significantly more infrastructure spending.
Currently, many road projects across the Shire are being delivered with support from the Safe Local Roads and Streets Program. Raised pedestrian crossings are being constructed in Bannockburn, Smythesdale, Inverleigh, Haddon and the Ross Creek Lacy Road intersection is receiving a much-needed upgrade.
Council has also received grant funding to undertake a comprehensive road safety audit of every town in the Shire and continues to deliver infrastructure that reduces risk—or advocates for it where roads are managed by the State.
In Teesdale, we’ve recently seen the results of many years of community led advocacy, with important new road safety upgrades now in place around the school zone and throughout the township. These improvements include new 40 km/h electronic school zone signs, an extended 40 km/h zone, and several speed limit changes.
Multiple bus stops in Teesdale are also receiving major upgrades, relocations and safety improvements. These upgrades follow a Council commissioned bus safety audit, which hastened the process and demonstrates a level of care I’m proud of.
We thank the Department of Transport and Planning for funding and delivering these upgrades. Thank you to everyone who raised concerns and pushed for action over many years and the Council officers who also helped build the case for these improvements.
This is a strong example of what can be achieved when residents, Council and the State Government work collaboratively toward a shared goal.
Lastly, following community consultation earlier this year, a redesigned plan for the car park opposite the shop in Teesdale and a pedestrian crossing will be out soon and able to be advanced relatively quickly with the Golden Plains Windfarm funding already in place.
For me, local government is about helping our neighbours. As councillors, we live in the communities we serve, and we’re deeply invested in them. The annual budget process is such an important part of our work, because it touches every service and program that our residents care about.
Since November, we’ve invited members of the community to provide their input into the budget process, either by making a budget submission, completing the online budget survey, or attending a budget thinktank session. Your feedback helps us understand what matters most to you as we make difficult choices. Over the next few months, staff and councillors will work together to draft a budget that incorporates your feedback and aims to best serve the needs and priorities of our communities.
People in our shire hold a range of views about the services and programs council should provide, and how much focus we should give to current needs compared with future sustainability. As councillors, we are elected to weigh those perspectives and make sure that every dollar we spend delivers value.
Since being elected, it’s been my ambition for the councillor group to grow our confidence in making informed financial decisions and understanding how those decisions impact council’s long-term sustainability. This means that council serves you not just today, but into the future.
To those who have provided input into the budget process, I thank you. I encourage you to keep engaging, not only in the budget process but throughout the year. Our decisions can’t always match everyone’s preferences, but your feedback helps shape the choices we make on behalf of everyone in Golden Plains Shire.
One of the great privileges of serving as Mayor of Golden Plains Shire is seeing, first-hand, the strength, generosity and resilience that exists right across our communities. From volunteers and sporting clubs to local businesses, farmers, families and community groups, it is our people who make Golden Plains such a special place to live.
As Mayor, I have made a conscious decision to strengthen the connection between Councillors and residents. Golden Plains is a large and diverse shire, and while that is one of our greatest strengths, it can also make it challenging to regularly reach every corner of our community. This is why I am pleased to introduce a new monthly Councillor Column.
Through this column, Councillors will take turns sharing updates on local projects, recognising community achievements, and highlighting the issues they are hearing directly from residents. It is intended to provide a more personal and local perspective on the work of Council, and to help foster stronger community engagement across the shire.
I am proud of the commitment and energy each Councillor brings to their role, and equally proud of the communities we represent. This monthly update is about strengthening those connections and ensuring residents feel informed, heard and involved.
I encourage you to read these columns, reach out to your local Councillor, and share what matters most to you. Local government works best when it remains closely connected to the people it serves.