Community Forums

In September 2009, Council commenced Community Forums - an initiative in which local residents are invited to discuss a variety of nominated topics. The aim of the forums is to enable Council to gain a thorough understanding of the community's needs and to make more informed decisions.

The forums form part of Council's new plan of achieving together, in which the lines of communication between Council and the public are enhanced and the actions and solutions to problems are a shared responsibility.

Community Forum Guidelines (pdf 43 KB)

The next Community Forum - details to be advised.

Community Forum - No 3 - Civic Pride

The Mayor welcomed all present to the third Central Goldfields Shire Community Forum - the topic being ‘Civic Pride', outlined the Forum process, and provided an overview of the topic.

The Director Technical and Development Services, David Sutcliffe, presented a slide show explaining Council's vision of ‘Civic Pride'.

The Mayor asked for opinions and ideas from the Community.

Issues raised included;

Problem with dog droppings in Main Street - Would Council consider installing special bins in Bealiba as it has in Talbot? Wayne Belcher will investigate costs etc. The Mayor suggested that the promotion of responsible pet ownership is just as important as making bins available. Cr Nixon suggested that perhaps the local Primary School could give lessons on responsible pet ownership.
Bealiba Progress Association is working on the possibility of a project to replace the dilapidated veranda posts in Main Street.
As Council is looking to upgrade the footpath in Main Street Bealiba, is it possible to take the opportunity to relocate the powerlines underground at the same time? The Mayor advised that undergrounding of powerlines in each small town is on the radar, but as it is very expensive, projects such as this are reliant on external funding.
Is the Township of Bealiba covered by a Heritage Overlay, and what does that actually mean? David Sutcliffe provided general information regarding Heritage Overlays, and further Bealiba specific information will be provided to the Bealiba Progress Association.
The Bealiba Progress Association has grown threefold in numbers over the last 4 years, and continues to grow.
Community driven projects such as working bees have been very successful in Talbot, e.g., London House project.
Community is calling on Council for direction regarding Streetscapes. David Sutcliffe suggested a good place to start is to seek out old photos of the street.
Historical Society is keen on signage for the buildings - some buildings have signs, but they have faded and are largely unreadable. The Mayor advised that the Heritage Advisory Committee has a program to replace the faded signs and to increase the number of signs around the Shire as funds become available.
There is some opinion that the Community Forums are not well publicised, and are not at the most convenient time of day. Comments noted, but generally agreed that advertisements were placed in the local newspapers, newsletters mailed to all 3475 postcode households, notices posted at the Post Office and milk bar, and advertised on Council's website, and that it is unfortunately impossible to find a time of day that will suit everyone. As Bealiba is a farming community, probably the best time of year to hold meetings there is early autumn as the farmers are least busy then.
Signage for Townships is seen as important. The Mayor advised that Council is currently working on a project for Shire-wide signage.
Would it be possible to have recycling bins installed in Main Street? David Sutcliffe advised that it is not currently a service that Council provides, and would be an additional cost. Evidence from other Councils is that these bins are not very successful in main streets, as people often throw non-recyclables in them and contaminate the recyclable material. The bins tend to work better in parks and for special events. Cr Rinaldi advised that the Highlands Regional Waste Management Group has a mobile service for special events, whereby it drops off recycling bins before the event and collects them after. It was suggested that perhaps the Pony Club could trial this service at one of its events.
Could Council look at replacing the untidy, sight obstructing, planters/plants at the corner of Cochrane & Main Streets Bealiba with something like the planting/mulch treatment of the median strips in Derby Road Maryborough?
Littering seems to be an increasing problem in the area - are signs possible? David Sutcliffe suggested that signs are expensive and not very effective litter deterrent. More effective is action such as lobbying government for container deposits.
There is no green waste deposit facility in Bealiba which causes dumping of green waste in the bush.

The Mayor thanked the Community members for attending the Forum and advised that the next Forum will be held on 2^nd December, 2009.

There being no further business the Forum concluded at 6.15pm.

Community Forum - No 2 - Community Responsibility (Law and Order)

The Mayor welcomed all present to the second Central Goldfields Shire Community Forum - the topic being ‘Community Responsibility (Law & Order)', outlined the Forum process, and provided an overview of the topic.

Two representatives from Victoria Police and five community members were in attendance.

Senior Sergeant Paul Huggett of Maryborough Police presented on a range of issues:

community partnerships
youth
family environments
local liquor accord
hoon legislation
elderly
fire preparedness

The Mayor invited opinions and ideas from the Forum. Issues raised included:

- lighting, markings on pedestrian crossings in Maryborough
- surface of footpaths
- Good Sports club program
- domestic violence, including White Ribbon campaign
- Neighbourhood Watch Program (5 Neighbourhood Watch areas in Shire)
- promotion of wide range of after-school activities for children
- graffiti
- restorative justice approach
- use of recreational vehicles on private property

The Mayor thanked all present for attending the Forum which concluded at 6.00pm.

Community Forum - No 1 - ‘Station Domain/Community Hub'

Central Goldfields Shire Council held its first Community Forum on Wednesday 2^nd September, 2009. The forum focussed on the Station Domain project which incorporates a Community Hub.

Ten (10) community members attended and following an overview of the project from Council raised the following:

Getting people involved in the Hub who aren't already involved in a group (especially older lonely people).
Establishing creative arts in the Hub.
Red Cross is seeking space to store records and set up fax machine etc.
The landscape architect should refer to old photos of the school and surrounds when designing the landscape plans. Historical Society may be able to assist. Surrounds should complement the Council office and Railway Station buildings but also require minimal maintenance.
‘Goldfields Central' suggested as alternate name. Further suggested name was ‘Goldfields Station Domain'.
Trees and gardens will require water. Sustainability strategies.
Long term parking at the Station.
Development of adjacent sites including between Tuaggra and Station Streets.
Responsibility for former school records.
Disabled access.
Establishing Council Chamber in the Hub.

Council will consider all feedback as the project progresses.