In Summary
- Council is gathering ideas and feedback from residents to help shape the next Council Plan 2025–2029, outlining the strategic direction and priorities for the next four years.
- An online survey is available on the Shaping Greater Shepparton website, with opportunities for residents to join a Community Panel for in-depth workshops and discussions.
- The consultation will also inform the Public Health and Wellbeing Plan, Financial Plan, and Revenue and Rating Plan, aiming for a comprehensive and efficient feedback process.
- The survey runs from 22 July to 13 September 2024, with hard copy options available. For assistance, contact Council at council@shepparton.vic.gov.au or (03) 5832 9700.
In accordance with the Local Government Act, Council is required to develop a four-year Council Plan to guide the decision making, service delivery and resource allocation for the organisation. The Council Plan 2025–2029 will outline the strategic direction for the next four years and detail the objectives, initiatives and priorities, as well as the indicators for measuring progress.
To kick off the process, Council wants to hear from those who live, work and play in Greater Shepparton about the services, programs and projects that matter to them the most.
To capture these thoughts, an initial online survey will be available via the Shaping Greater Shepp website. The survey is only one way that members of the community will be able to participate in the Council Planning process. Survey questions are based on the Community Vision, Council services and priorities, and also features quick interactive activities where community members can share their vision for the region and identify the top three needs for their local area.
On completion of the survey, residents will be able to register their interest in joining a Community Panel to represent their community in focus workshops to discuss the ideas and feedback received via the survey. Council hopes to achieve a true representation of the region through the Community Panel, with members of differing ages, genders, locations, backgrounds and cultures. The more people that register for the Community Panel, the more chance we have of getting the diversity and balance right.
Following on from the survey will be a range of activities that people can participate in over the next 10 months, as we work towards the strategy being adopted in June 2025. The Council Planning process also includes consultation to inform the Public Health and Wellbeing Plan, Financial Plan and Revenue and Rating Plan - which are also required as part of Council’s integrated planning and reporting framework.
Undertaking an integrated consultation makes the best use of our community’s time and avoids three separate consultations of high level strategies within a short period of time. By combining the consultation, Council hopes to capture feedback from a wide variety of community members to ensure the voices, ideas and opinions of residents are captured and heard.
“The Council Plan is the most important strategy for Council as it provides clear direction on how our community want to live, work, play and do business in Greater Shepparton into the future, and the role that Council plays in shaping the region.
Importantly it details our priorities and focus areas for the next four years, including the initiatives that will continue to make Greater Shepparton a desirable, healthy, prosperous, safe and inclusive place to live,” Chief Executive Officer, Fiona Le Gassick said.
“It is critical that we hear from as many community members as possible to inform the Council Plan, so we want to hear from community what is important to them and what they value, and their vision for Greater Shepparton over the next four years.
“And while the Council Plan is a requirement of the Local Government Act, we are committed to working with the community to ensure that Greater Shepparton continues to be the place they call home. We look forward to undertaking the Council Planning journey in partnership with our community.”
The survey is open from Monday 22 July, until Friday 13 September 2024 via the Shaping Greater Shepp website here.
Hard copy surveys will be available at the Customer Service counter and other locations to be confirmed.
If you require assistance to complete your submission, please contact Council at council@shepparton.vic.gov.au or via (03) 5832 9700.
Once the survey closes, an engagement report will be developed and community members will be selected for the Community Panel. The final Council Plan 2025-2029 will be adopted by Council in June 2025.
