Think big for shire

IT is now time for you to help shape the Strathbogie region’s future. That’s the missive for the next nine months as the Strathbogie Shire Council starts calling for the community to share their feedback and advice to develop a number of documents to guide the council over the next few years. The council will ask for residents' input on their community vision, council plan and financial plan documents which mayor Chris Raeburn said were essential to guide the future of the region. “We want to know that council and our community share the same vision and are moving together towards a better future,” Cr Raeburn said. “You will hear me say this a lot, but we can’t do this alone. “As a council we’re only successful if we’re meeting our community needs, so we’re asking you to share your vision for the future and help set our focus to get there.” The community engagement program is part of a commitment from Cr Raeburn since he became mayor to ensure council had a community focus, with the first stage of the program being a number of face-to-face sessions called Share Strathbogie. “We’re hitting the streets, heading to townships throughout the shire to ask our community what they love about living in Strathbogie Shire and what would make it an even better place to live in the future,” Cr Raeburn said. “We’ll also be asking you for advice on what you might be able to live without.” While Cr Raeburn said that balancing service levels with livability and cost is always a challenge but a sustainable financial future for Strathbogie Shire is non-negotiable. The drop in sessions will be held in a number of townships throughout the local government area with the first of them being held in the Strathbogie Memorial Hall on Tuesday, February 23 from 4pm to 6pm. Mt Wombat Ward councillor Laura Binks will be there and is encouraged the community to get “their creative thinking hats on”. “We want our community to think big and help us create a shared vision for our future,” Cr Binks said. “Together I am sure we can set a positive direction for Strathbogie Shire that makes our home and even better place to live.” The council will also be offering the opportunity for the community to have their say online and will soon be calling for people to put up their hand to be part of its first ever community forum. Other drop in days will be held at Nagambie Lakeside Community Market (March 6, 9am-2pm), Avenel Community Market (March 13, 4.30pm-8pm), Euroa Farmers Market (March 20, 9am-1pm), Longwood Recreation Reserve (March 24, 4pm-6pm), Violet Town Community Centre (March 26, 1pm-5pm) and Ruffy’s Tableland Community Centre (March 31, 4pm-6pm). More information for the additional sessions can be found at www.strathbogie.vic.gov.au