Corangamite Shire
Located two hours southwest of Melbourne, Corangamite is a large rural shire with a population of 15,671 (Estimated Residential Population June 2015).
From the wild Southern Ocean and rugged Shipwreck Coast in the south, our boundaries stretch 120 kilometres past forests and fertile farmland to the grazing expanses of the north. Our large geographic area of 4400 km2 is home to a number of stunning and diverse natural landscapes including the world-renowned Twelve Apostles and Port Campbell National Park. We have state parks, some of the deepest lakes in Australia, dense bush and grassland, and plains dotted with dormant volcanoes as far as the eye can see.
Much of the rural area in Corangamite Shire is used for agriculture, particularly dairy farming, sheep and cattle grazing, and grain growing. Tourism is also an important industry, especially in the south along the Great Ocean Road.
Hit the ground running
The best part about Corangamite Shire is the way our small communities work together to make their towns better places to live, visit and do business. Our residents, as well as committed Council employees are very passionate, and take a great deal of pride in community projects. Our volunteers are incredible, and it was from this level that I found my way towards local government.
I was elected to Council in 2011 after an unopposed by-election, not even having attended a single council meeting, so I certainly hit the ground running! I am now serving my second term as Mayor after being elected by fellow Councillors in November 2015. My family has always volunteered in the community and I have been brought up to give back wherever possible, so Council has given me that great opportunity. I enjoy listening to others and being able to help in whatever way I can to make life better for all.
Being a Mother to two young sons, Jordan 11 and Cooper 9, has also helped inspire me to contribute for the benefit of their future. Bringing diversity and balance of opinion to the council table I feel really has benefited outcomes potentially otherwise not realised.
I was also recently fortunate to complete and graduate with a Diploma of Local Government – Elected Member, a three-year course designed by the MAV. The support I had from my family, Council and staff was invaluable. An achievement I hold very close to my heart.
Challenges
Going forward, the number one challenge within our region is our roads. Our crumbling arterial road network in Corangamite Shire is part of the worst in the state and needs its fair share of funding just to make it safe. The severely deteriorating roads are impacting our rate payers, industries and visitors, and we need the State Government to recognise that regional Victoria has a dire situation with roads that are just not acceptable.
Constrained finances due to the continuation of rate capping, persistent cost shifting and meeting the expectations of our ratepayers are other challenges that continue to lie ahead. The formation of our new Council Plan will be a great opportunity to not only review our priorities, but also continue to work together with our communities on a level that encourages equal input. We must engage with our young people as they are our future and it is vital that we continue to play in the space of addressing their needs, just as we do for our ageing population.
Success
On a more positive note, our council is very proud of our Retail Area Façade Improvement Program. An innovative grant process where Council provides funding of up to $3000 to local businesses in town centres to improve shopfronts. The broader aim of the program was to improve the presentation of towns and streetscapes in Corangamite Shire following feedback from our successful Community Planning process. Sixty projects employing local tradespeople have occurred, resulting in more than $200,000 invested into the renewal works.
Recent announcements by the State Government to invest in various projects highlighted in the Shipwreck Coast Master Plan have certainly boosted the morale within our local tourism industry. Home to the famous Twelve Apostles, the coast attracts 2.6 million visitors a year, and this investment is aimed to enhance visitor expectation and experience, which is currently sub-standard.
