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Township liaison project proves successfulFollowing a networking opportunity meeting organised last year for smaller townships in Latrobe City, liaison officers have been appointed for each township and district association in the City. By Latrobe City Council - 7th October 2003 - Back to News These officers have been regularly attending township meetings in order to enable Latrobe City to respond more efficiently to specific issues.
Latrobe City Mayor, Councillor Graeme Middlemiss, said that feedback from the networking meeting last year showed that in the past, the smaller districts of Latrobe City often felt sidelined in favour of the larger towns.
"By appointing a liaison officer to attend township association meetings on a regular basis, we have generated a sense of unity," Cr Middlemiss explained.
Latrobe City Council’s Manager, Community Development Strategy, Heather Farley said that the Council staff who were appointed as liaison officers had been delighted at the depth of community spirit.
"The liaison officers have been impressed with the close-knit ties that bind the township people together. The association meetings have proved that working together gets results and that all the smaller rural districts of the City feel intense pride in their communities. There is no shortage of volunteers and community spirit in the townships.
"By having an officer on hand at meetings, the communities have been able to receive advice, support and referral on issues affecting them.
"It may be a matter of referral to a particular Council officer and sometimes these matters can be immediately resolved once the officer has been contacted. Other issues may need to be referred to other relevant authorities such as TXU or VicRoads and our township liaison officers are able to provide the necessary contact details," Ms Farley explained.
"We have also been able to advise how to apply for Council’s community grants or suggest funding opportunities from other organisations, in order to facilitate a particular project that has been planned," Ms Farley said.
"For example, in Boolarra, the township liaison officer helped the association apply for a Latrobe City community grant and also put them in touch with the Department of Innovation, Industry and Regional Development, from where they successfully applied for a grant for the Folk Festival," Ms Farley continued.
"In Glengarry, the newly-formed Progress Association, is busy organising events for the Great Victorian Bike Ride that stops over in Glengarry in December. The township liaison officer has played a key role in providing direct access to the relevant council officers, for advice and support.
Glengarry is also developing plans for a low-cost internet access point at the local general store, as part of the e-gaps project. The liaison officer has been able to provide information on this scheme which will directly benefit the people of the town, who otherwise would not have access to such a facility locally," Ms Farley said.
"For Traralgon South, Koornalla and Callignee the liaison officer has been actively involved in helping the people set up their own association which will facilitate the residents to plan and develop their own ideas for their own needs," Ms Farley added.
Cr Middlemiss said that the township liaison scheme is proving to be a mutually beneficial project.
"We have opened up a clear path for prompt and efficient communication between the townships and the Council. The pride and enthusiasm of the township residents, combined with the knowledge and advice from council staff has enabled many projects to get off the ground, creating a feeling of pride within the community," Cr Middlemiss concluded.
Source: www.gippsland.com Published by: news@gippsland.com
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