Golden Plains Shire residents are encouraged to contribute to Golden Plains Shire Council’s Environment Strategy (2019-2027), to ensure community aspirations are reflected in Council’s vision, plans and actions for the local environment.
The Environment Strategy 2019-2027 (‘the Strategy’) will encompass both the ‘built’ aspects of Golden Plains Shire, including water, amenity, emissions and economic land-use, as well as the ‘natural’ parts of the environment, such as biodiversity, fire management, pest plants and animals, and sustainable agriculture.
The aim of the Strategy is to create a framework to help Council and the community to best manage the various environments of Golden Plains Shire, and guide projects and decision-making.
Councillor Helena Kirby, Mayor of Golden Plains Shire, said the Strategy will strive to find balance between meeting the needs of our communities, with Council’s responsibility to preserve and protect its natural environments.
“Golden Plains Shire is lucky to have such a wide range of wonderful spaces and environments, as well as passionate and committed residents, businesses and community groups, who care deeply about their environment and its future.
“Managing natural and built environments is one of the four strategic objections in our Council Plan; a document that was developed in close conjunction with the community, and this Strategy, and the community engagement around it, will all support that objective.
“We would love to hear from the community about what is important to them and what their ideas and concerns are, in relation to the diverse environments of Golden Plains Shire. Community feedback will provide us with insight into what matters to our communities and allow the Strategy to benefit from the extensive local knowledge of our residents.
“Council will offer a number of opportunities for community members to contribute to the Strategy, including workshops and conversation posts across the Shire, and an online survey.
“Feedback will be collated and then feed into the development of the draft Environment Strategy 2019-2027, which will be placed on public exhibition, so that community members can review the document and provide feedback should they wish to do so.
“I encourage residents to take up one of the many opportunities to contribute to the Strategy – the more community members who participate in its development, the more refined, thorough and reflective of community needs and values the Strategy will be.
“This Strategy is incredibly important to Council, as our natural and built environments are part of what makes our Shire so special. We have established an Environment Strategy Steering Committee, including Golden Plains Shire Councillors Evans and Rowe. This group will help make sure the Strategy is comprehensive, well-communicated, reflective of community values and Council’s environmental goals,” she said.
How residents can get involved
Community workshops
3 June, The Well, Smythesdale, 9.30am-11.30am
3 June, Bannockburn Cultural Centre, Main Hall, 2.00pm-4.00pm
Conversation posts
2 June, Golden Plains Farmers Market, Bannockburn
16 June, Smythesdale Country Market, Smythesdale
Online survey
Open from 30 May to 20 June. Available in hard copy by request.
Draft Strategy Review Workshop
This is where Council will report back on what they have heard from the community.
22 July, The Well, Smythesdale, 9.30am-11.30am
22 July, Bannockburn Cultural Centre, Main Hall, 2.00pm-4pm
Further information
Community members can find out more about the Environment Strategy 2019-2027 via Council’s ‘Have Your Say’ platform: www.goldenplains.vic.gov.au/consultations.
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Released by: Eric Braslis, CEO, Golden Plains Shire Council
Media contact: Ann Card, Senior Communications and Marketing Officer, Golden Plains Shire Council
P. 5220 7147 │ E. [email protected]
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