Proposed Council Plan update released

The
Council has released an annual update to the Council Plan 2018-22 for community
consultation.

The
Council adopted the Council Plan 2018-22, Update 2020-21 alongside the Proposed 2020-21 Budget at a meeting on Tuesday night.

The
four-year plan is the strategic roadmap that drives the delivery of the Council’s
priorities for essential infrastructure, services and programs to the
community.

Key priorities identified in the Council
Plan 2020-21 include:

  • Develop new community infrastructure including a library, arts hub, family hub,
    library and children’s centre;
  • Invest in programs and facilities to support gender equity in sport;
  • Extend the hard waste collection service and begin a food organics diversion program;
  • Support the establishment of an expanded regional food distribution centre in
    North Geelong and provide ongoing funding towards emergency food costs;
  • Plan the redevelopment of major tourism and cultural facilities such as the
    Geelong Gallery and Potato Shed;
  • Deliver actions in the Shared Trails Masterplan, to increase the use of bike
    riding and walking;
  • Renew shopping centre streetscapes in suburban areas;
  • Attract and procure major events;
  • Embed the Sustainability Framework within the organisational process, including
    the use of Global Reporting Initiative Standards;
  • Initiate Bellarine Enhanced Broadband and other Smart City technology initiatives;
    and
  • Start construction on the new Civic Precinct, which will create a vibrant
    public space with retail and food tenancies, support hundreds of construction
    jobs and relocate City offices.

The
Council Plan 2018-22 was developed by the Council with input from a range of diverse
stakeholders and supports the implementation of the community-led 30-year
vision Greater Geelong: A Clever and
Creative Future.

The
Council Plan 2018-22, Update 2020-21 and Proposed 2020-21 Budget are available at www.yoursay.geelongaustralia.com.au or via request.

Submissions
are invited during a public consultation period that will run until Tuesday 26
May.

Mayor Stephanie
Asher

The
Proposed Budget and Council Plan set out a carefully considered roadmap to
drive the region’s recovery from COVID-19. It
commits significant investment to projects that will generate local jobs and
supports those most in need, while also maintaining our commitment to a forward
program of exciting programs that will benefit the whole community across our
municipality.

However,
we are continually monitoring the ongoing impacts of COVID-19 and we may have
to re-direct additional resources to support those who need it the most. Our
attention is focused on protecting the community’s health, providing immediate
support to those community members most impacted and creating a positive
environment for long-term recovery.

/Public Release. View in full here.