Comment is being sought on one of the most important documents in Bega Valley Shire’s 24 year history. The Shire’s Draft 20 Year Plan was approved for public exhibition late last year with steps now being taken to ensure as many people as possible get the opportunity to comment on the document before the exhibition period closes at the end of March 2005.
Council’s Corporate Planner, Adrian Weedon, said the draft plan had been developed by Councillors and Council staff in consultation with the Shire’s Area Committees and Social Planning Committee. He said the primary aim of the document was to describe the sorts of places, environments and settlements local residents would like to see in 2025.
Mr Weedon said that in developing the plan, Council had attempted to provide a genuine framework for long term planning and action. It would form an important part of Council’s three tiered approach to corporate planning with the 20 Year Plan, four yearly Management Plan and annual Operational Plan providing a logical connection from a long term vision to medium term direction to short term action.
The 20 Year Plan would not be a static document and would be reviewed every four years in conjunction with the Management Plan to ensure it continued to reflect the types of communities people want to see.
“Council will use the exhibition period to discuss, promote and seek community input into the draft document,” Mr Weedon said.
It would be reviewed at the end of the exhibition period before going back to Council for formal adoption.
He said that in recognising the need to plan more effectively for the longer term, Bega Valley Shire Council was a step ahead of many other Local Government authorities. He said it was anticipated that the development of long term plans would become a NSW Government requirement of all councils within the next 18 months.
