The Golden Plains Shire Council Annual Report 2021/22 was presented to Council at its meeting on 25 October 2022.
Council’s Annual Report 2021/22 is an accurate and detailed report of the operations and services of Council in the past financial year, as well as a strategic account of the Council’s achievements and challenges in 2021/22.
In accordance with the Local Government Act 2020, Council must prepare and adopt an Annual Report every financial year. The Annual Report 2021/22 has been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Act and includes the Report of Operations; Audited Performance Statement; Audited Financial Statements; Auditor’s report on the Performance Statement prepared under section 132; and Auditor’s report on the Financial Statements under Part 3 of the Audit Act 1994.
The Annual Report 2021/22 shares the story of Council’s major highlights and achievements from 1 July 2021 to 30 June 2022 including:
- Significant funding investment from State and Federal Governments.
- Strategic long-term planning for the future of Golden Plains Shire including the development of the Golden Plains Shire Settlement Strategy and the Climate Emergency Plan 2022-2032.
- Advocacy success through Council’s lobbying and strategic partnerships including Council’s largest ever single grant from the Victorian Government’s Growing Suburbs Fund and securing $3.61 million in Federal Election commitments.
- Delivery of an extensive list of infrastructure projects and upgrades.
- Council’s commitment to community engagement including community engagement on and adoption of 12 strategic plans.
Major capital works completed by Council in 2021/22 include Teesdale Turtle Bend Upgrade, Lethbridge and Linton cricket net facilities, Enfield and Garibaldi playgrounds and the Bannockburn Bowls Green Upgrade. Official openings were also held for the Golden Plains Youth Hub, Bannockburn Soccer Facility Upgrade, Bannockburn Skate Park Upgrade, Inverleigh Sporting Complex Change and Club Rooms Upgrades, Lethbridge Lighting and Irrigation Upgrade. Construction began on a number of capital work projects including the Ross Creek Active Rec Project and Bannockburn South West Industrial Estate stormwater infrastructure project.
In 2021/22, funding grants were also secured for future capital works projects including the Victoria Park Netball Pavilion and Rokewood Recreation Reserve Netball and Tennis Court Upgrade. During the 2022 Federal Election, Council received $3.61 million in funding across seven community projects. Funding was secured from projects including the Golden Plains Shire Tracks and Trails Strategy, Teesdale Flood Study, Golden Plains Transport Connection Study and a public artwork in Linton and a community safety program at the Golden Plains Youth Hub. Council also secured its third and largest funding commitment from the Victorian Government’s Growing Suburbs Fund: Rokewood Community Hub Project.
In 2021/22, Council’s completed major road projects including the Bannockburn Town Entrance Roundabout; upgrades of Meredith-Shelford Road in Meredith and Sharp Road Bridge in She Oaks; replacement works on Slate Quarry Road Bridge in Meredith, Paddys Gully Road Bridge in Rokewood Junction, Franklin Bridge in Napoleons. The installation of guardrails in 13 locations across Golden Plains Shire was also completed.
As required under the Local Government Act 1989, the Golden Plains Shire Council Annual Report 2021/22 has been published on Council’s website and promoted to the community through traditional and digital media channels. A public notice advertising the Annual Report has been placed in the Geelong Times, Ballarat Times and Golden Plains Times on Friday 28 October.
The Annual Report 2021/22 is available to view online and download here. Printed copies of the Annual Report 2021/22 are available to view at Council’s Customer Service Centres at 2 Pope Street, Bannockburn and 19 Heales Street, Smythesdale.