“Growth, combined with a shift in perceptions across rural Victoria, is assisting in making Moira a very progressive Shire,” said the Mayor, Councillor David McKenzie. “We have strong communities with people willing to be involved and get things happening.
“Council’s capacity building program is helping people to develop their skills to work through issues. This program uses local identities who want to give something back to the community such as Olympic diver, Dean Puller. Young people are also keen to be involved.”
Councillor McKenzie said that the little township of Bearii is an excellent example of this ‘can do’ approach. Located on the edge of the Barmah Forest, a steady exodus of people from the 1960s saw the town almost disappear. This has all turned around in the last ten years. Now with 150 residents, Bearii continues to prosper as more and more people are building holiday retreats or retiring there. “In the spirit of just getting in and doing it, the Bearii community has recently built a community park and meeting hall based around its CFA building,” the Mayor said.
Similarly with environment matters, Landcare groups have planted thousands of trees throughout the Shire. Council has assisted these groups to prepare funding submissions.
Another local group has formed to save the Superb Parrot, which is on the endangered list. This brightly coloured green and yellow bird is unique to the Barmah Forest. With the parrot as its emblem, Cathay Pacific has provided sponsorship and funding for the planting of trees to provide additional flight paths and nesting areas. The birds are now increasing in numbers thanks to the work of the volunteers.
“With the Murray River, Lake Mulwala and Barmah Lakes, water is a huge part of our natural environment,” Councillor McKenzie said. “Continued residential growth and tourism are very dependent on carefully managing our natural assets.
“A major environmental win for the area is the Yarrawonga Development. This $350 million combined residential, lifestyle, recreation and resort development is set to be a showpiece of environmental best practice and sustainable development.”
With six new Councillors and three new General Managers in the last 18 months, Moira Shire has become more proactive in its management of community assets and infrastructure. “Our key consideration is a risk assessment of all our assets,” the Mayor said. “Our capital works program is then prioritised based on this assessment.
“To assist our financial planning in meeting infrastructure renewal and upgrading requirements, we have developed a ten year Strategic Resource Plan. Under State Government legislation, we are required to have a four year plan but Council has opted to take this out to ten years to assist with longer term planning for major projects over the next decade.”
