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Baw Baw Shire Council publishes 2021/22 Annual Report

Baw Baw Shire Council's Annual Report of Operations has been published, providing detailed data on council's actions, initiatives and achievements throughout the financial year ending 30 June 2022.

By news@gippsland - 27th October 2022 - Back to News

This is the first Annual Report to report against the Strategic Objectives of the Council Plan 2021-2025:

• A Sustainable Shire
• A Healthy Community
• A Thriving Community

In addition to the three strategic objectives above, the Annual Report also includes an additional reporting category, 'Council Supporting a Sustainable, Healthy and Thriving Community and Shire', to capture significant internal organisational initiatives and performance indicators.

The Council Plan represents a four-year road map for the council and describes the key services and priorities that council will focus on between 2021 and 2025

The Annual Report was noted at the council meeting held on 26 October. It reveals a steady financial position, strong organisational performance and the successful delivery of numerous significant initiatives and projects for the benefit of the Baw Baw community - all while navigating the challenges of COVID, and the impacts of extreme weather events, inflation, construction delays and labour shortages.

Annual report highlights

A selection of council achievements for the 2021/22 financial year are highlighted below. To download a full copy of council's 2021/22 Annual Report of Operations, please visit Baw Baw Shire Council Annual Report.

Sustainable shire

• Achieved a 17% reduction in roadside weed management requests from the community compared with the previous financial year, as a result of council's 2021/22 Roadside Weed and Pests Program
• Signed into long term electricity provisions contracts for its street lighting and large facilities/sites via the Victorian Energy Collaboration (VECO), which includes the use of 100% renewable energy from 1 July 2022
• Completed analysis to better understand the potential risk of climate change on the organisation's operations
• Converted over 800 inefficient streetlights across the municipality to the most energy efficient LED lighting, through Stage 3 of council's LED Street Lighting Program. This project is funded through the government's Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program

Healthy community

• Commenced Stage 1 of the Warragul Leisure Centre Expansion with funding received through Sports Recreation Victoria and the Changing Places program. The design and tender for the main contract was also completed, with the main contract set to commence around September 2022
• Commenced Phase 1 construction of the Multi-Use Pavilion at Bellbird Park, Drouin - a new female friendly, multi-use facility for users of the eastern section of Bellbird Park, including hockey, soccer and cricket clubs, schools and the general community
• Developed and instigated council's proactive urban zone maintenance program, resulting in a 26% reduction in community requests for maintenance, compared with the 2020/21 financial year
• Completed a two-year project to construct a state-of-the-art, multi-use pavilion at Trafalgar Recreation Precinct. The Pavilion is the new home of the Trafalgar Victory Football Club and Trafalgar Boxing Club and is available for use by community and school groups

Thriving community

• Undertook more than 250,000 sq m of road resealing, and more than 20,000 sq m of road pavement repairs to address localised failures across the council road network
• Secured more than $13 million in external funding to facilitate projects, including the Warragul Leisure Centre Stadium Expansion, Recreation Reserve Lighting Projects, Baw Baw
• Engage! Youth Programs, Changing Places facilities and Attentis Sensors to better prepare for emergency events
• Secured $360,000 to support the development of a Local Development Strategy for Noojee and an independent project officer to support Noojee's economic position
• Supported more than 800 businesses through a Business Support Program designed to start, grow and support businesses at all stages of their journey

Council Supporting a Sustainable, Healthy and Thriving Community and Shire:

• Finalised and adopted the new long-term Community Vision, based on an extensive program of deliberative and community engagement to understand and prioritise the municipal community's aspirations for the future
• Developed and adopted a new Council Plan 2021 - 2025, which aligns with the Community Vision, and sets the four-year road map for the term of the current council
• Increased the productivity of Capital Works Delivery, which resulted in approximately $9 million more infrastructure projects delivered than in the 2020/21 financial year
• Achieved a higher than 80% success rate across all channels for resolving customer enquiries at the first point of contact

Mayor Cr Michael Leaney said, "We are pleased to present Baw Baw Shire Council's 2021/22 Annual Report of Operations and Financial Report."

Building sustainable shire

Cr Leaney said, "These reports provide an overview of the major projects, grants and advocacy efforts, capital works and statutory information and initiatives undertaken by council over the past financial year. It is also the first year we are reporting against the objectives of our new Council Plan 2021-2025, which was adopted in 2021 following one of the largest community consultations completed by council."

"Despite the challenges of COVID, economic impacts of inflation, construction delays and the worker shortage, it is heartening to look back on the past financial year and reflect on how much has been accomplished in trying times."

"Providing support for our community, building and maintaining vital shire infrastructure as well as advocating for our residents' needs has remained this council's top priority and will continue to be at the forefront as we work to build a sustainable, healthy and thriving Baw Baw Shire for the future."

Better and more liveable shire

Acting CEO, Caz McLean said, "As one of the fastest growing municipalities in Victoria, here in Baw Baw Shire we are experiencing exceptional growth with more and more residents choosing to call our beautiful region home."

"With this growth and operating within a post-covid and strict rate-capped environment, our organisation must work harder, smarter and more efficiently than ever to deliver the services, infrastructure and support our community needs."

"We are pleased to deliver our Annual Report for 2021/22 that highlights the significant organisational projects and initiatives undertaken by council that work together to build a better Baw Baw for our community". CEO McLean said.

Pictures from Baw Baw Shire Council website.

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: news@gippsland.com

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• Marlo's Healeys road timber bridge to be replaced with stronger steel structure built for 100 years
  East Gippsland Shire Council will replace Marlo’s ageing Healeys Road timber bridge with a $642,780 steel structure, improving safety, access, load capacity and long-term reliability for local users.
• Have your say on the Planning Scheme Amendment C161egip - Lakes Entrance Northern Growth Area (Revised) to unlock growth until 21 September 2026
  East Gippsland Shire Council is simplifying planning controls in Lakes Entrance Northern Growth Area, aiming to unlock housing growth, reduce red tape and support development over the next 30-plus years.
• East Gippsland planning roadshow brings expert advice to Mallacoota residents, improving access to local services
  East Gippsland Shire Council's Planning Roadshow will visit Mallacoota on August 17, offering residents face-to-face planning advice, permit guidance and access to the new AI-powered myLot planning tool.
• Regional hospitals face staffing and funding pressures as new nurse-to-patient ratios take effect across Gippsland health services
  East Gippsland Shire Council is installing two louvered roofs at Bairnsdale Library, improving shade, weather protection and outdoor activities, with works expected to take two weeks.
• South Gippsland residents invited to shape future heritage precincts across four townships through community consultation
  South Gippsland Shire Council is inviting residents across Loch, Fish Creek, Toora and Korumburra to help shape and protect their townships' unique heritage character.
• East Gippsland's new disability network brings diverse community voices together to help shape council decisions and services
  East Gippsland’s new Disability Network has attracted 33 expressions of interest, bringing together people with disability, carers, families and sector representatives to help shape Council decisions and improve accessibility.
• Wilsons Promontory whale watching offers front-row seats to annual migration
  Wanderer Adventures offers seasonal whale watching cruises from Tidal River at Wilsons Promontory, bringing passengers close to migrating humpback and southern right whales, fur seals and spectacular coastal scenery aboard eco-tourism vessels.
• Sale residents urged to safely dispose of hazardous household chemicals at free Detox Your Home event on 10 October 2026
  Wellington Shire residents can safely dispose of unwanted hazardous household chemicals at a free Detox Your Home event in Sale, helping protect waterways, people, animals and the environment.
• East Gippsland Mayor Jodie Ashworth thanks community members, reflects on achievements and highlights upcoming projects in final annual mayoral column
  East Gippsland Mayor Jodie Ashworth thanks residents for their contributions, highlights upcoming projects and community celebrations, and encourages feedback on the Bairnsdale 2050 Strategy before concluding her annual mayoral column.