A local government election and record funding marked 2024 for Campaspe Shire Council, with more advocacy and community engagement on the cards for 2025.
Campaspe Shire Council chief executive Pauline Gordon took some time at the end of 2024 to reflect on the year that was, drawing on the achievements made by council and some of their challenges.
One of the greatest changes for council has been the election and initiation of a new council group and unsubdivided ward structure.
“It now means that all our residents can access the whole nine councillors for their needs,” Ms Gordon said.
“Which, they’ve always been able to do that and councillors are actually sworn in to represent the whole of the shire, but now it means their focus can be on anyone.”
Three new councillors filled the outgoing gaps, while six were re-elected to their positions in the October 2024 election.
The end of the year saw training and inductions for the councillors, whose big task in the new year is to create a four-year council plan.
“It’s a good balance actually having some of the old, some of the new and seeing how they work together,” Ms Gordon said.
“They’ve been really, really busy with induction. There’s a lot of mandated requirements of them.
“Their first job is to develop by the end of that first year, so by September, they have to have a new council plan.
“The vision will be getting revisited, and we’re currently out there asking people at the moment about the vision.”
Like every year, advocacy remains a focus in 2025, particularly as council maintains a need for flood support.
“We’re currently working on developing our advocacy priorities,” Ms Gordon said.
“The biggest one for us — (and) will continue for the next few years — is flood.
“We will keep advocating strongly for recovery funds, for mental health, for better proposals of insurance for our community, for insurance in terms of our own infrastructure.”
To understand the community’s priorities, a citizens’ panel will be created early in the year, along with the open Community Vision survey.
This type of engagement informs the four-year council plan, which then sets up the internal operational and annual plans.
“It’s really important (that) what they put in the council plan genuinely reflects the community need and is achievable,” Ms Gordon said.
Last year’s funding was infrastructure heavy, with the largest ever grant provided by the Federal Government for Victoria Park in Echuca, while further funding for upgrades to the Wilf Cox pavilion in Kyabram and scoping for a new pool in Rochester was obtained.
The Victoria Park boat ramp, Rushworth streetscape and the long-standing Breen Ave projects were also completed in 2024.
Hosting the Victorian Legislative Council at Echuca library in April was another highlight for council, with staff from across the organisation working hard to put the shire’s best foot forward.
Ms Gordon said that this year, council would continue advocating to the Victorian and federal governments for infrastructure support.
“Roads is probably the big one that the community sees as the big issue,” she said.
“We’ve got over 4500km of road that council alone manages, let alone the state roads on top of that. We’re trying to work together with the state government.
“Regrettably, the funds aren't available as much as what we would all like, but trying to keep up with that would probably be our biggest challenge.”
Looking ahead, priorities include more workforce housing for people relocating to the region, water buyback advocacy and adjustments, and filling staff vacancies at council.
This year will also see consultation for council’s Reconciliation Action Plan, works beginning on the Jaycee Park master plan, finalising the public art at Echuca cenotaph, and the inaugural Ripple Fest.
Many of these actions will seek input residents’ input to inform their decisions.
“There will be lots of ways for the community to get involved with those pieces of work,” Ms Gordon said.