November 28th, 2022A message from the mayor

I am honoured to have been elected Mayor
of Hepburn Shire Council by my colleagues.

I appreciate their support, encouragement and
confidence. I also acknowledge Cr Drylie’s term
as Mayor in what undoubtedly has been a
challenging year for all of us.
In taking on the leadership role as Mayor I am
mindful of the responsibility the role carries.
At the half-way point of our term as councillors
the organisation is facing numerous challenges.
These include external factors such as extreme weather events and
their effect on Council infrastructure, especially roads and drains.
Council is assessing the damage to roads and will implement repair
works in a prioritised and systematic manner. Safety of road users is
paramount.
There are also internal challenges within the organisation that must
be addressed, most notably work to substantially improve council’s
financial outlook so that we become a more financially sustainable
organisation in the medium to long term. Important decisions must
be made in order to achieve that goal.
Most importantly, outward focussed performance in customer
service is in need of improvement, as evidenced by customer
satisfaction survey results. The timely processing of planning
applications will always be a critical service and work to update
planning regulations, sadly neglected in past years, must continue
as a priority so that planning regulations reflect the community’s
aspirations for our built and natural environments.
It should be recognised that the cumulative impact of rate capping,
cost shifting, the lack of economies of scale and geographical
realities make the delivery of services for which Council is
responsible increasingly difficult.
These are substantial challenges for any organisation and I look
forward to tackling them with my colleagues in a strategic and
prioritised manner.
A strong focus on core business in the coming year and addressing
fundamental challenges will enhance Council’s ability to better serve
our community and ultimately embrace more aspirational projects.
Addressing the underlying problems will also require action and
support from the State Government.
Clear, timely, informative communication and consultation will be
key, as it could be argued that in its absence the disparity between
community expectations and Council’s financial and human capacity
will only linger. There are opportunities to improve in those areas.
I look forward to working with Councillors and staff to strengthen the
Hepburn Shire Council in the coming year, working with all residents
and continuing my role as Coliban Ward Councillor.

Words: Cr Brian Hood