Annual Report

 

It gives us great pleasure to present the Annual Report 2016/2017 to the Ararat Rural City Council community. 

 

This Annual Report details Ararat Rural City Council’s achievement of the 2013/2017 Council Plan strategic objectives. The role of Council includes:

• Acting as a representative government by taking into account the diverse needs of the local community in decision making;

• Providing leadership by establishing strategic objectives and monitoring their achievement;

• Maintaining the viability of the Council by ensuring that resources are managed in a responsible and accountable manner;

• Advocating the interests of the local community to other communities and governments;

• Acting as a responsible partner in government by taking into account the needs of other communities; and

• Fostering community cohesion and encouraging active participation in civic life.

 

April 2017 saw the commencement of the redevelopment of the Ararat Arts Precinct a $7.735 million project. The Victorian Government has committed $5.2m to support the project, and the Australian Government has committed $945,000 through the National Stronger Regions program. A community campaign will raise $100,000 through donations and fundraising.

 

On 3 September 2016 the new Pomonal Hall was officially opened by Member for Western Victoria Region, Gayle Tierney.  The redevelopment of the hall was achieved through a $485,000 contribution from the State Government, in addition to Council’s $400,000 and $100,000 raised by the Pomonal community.  The Hall was nominated as a finalist in the 2017 LGPro Awards for Excellence in the Community Assets and Infrastructure (projects $1.5 million and under) category.

 

The Ararat Outdoor Olympic Pool Summer season opened on 3 December 2016 following the redevelopment of the pool and the development of a Kiosk Pavilion.  

 

 

 

Over the past year Council has advocated for many projects on behalf of the community, these included:

• Ararat Bypass 

• Passenger Rail Services – Grampians and Barwon South West Regional Passenger Services Cost and Feasibility Study

• EGHS Integrated Community Health Centre

• Grampians Peak Trail 

 

A delegation from Ararat Rural City Council lobbied members of parliament and parliamentary advisers in August 2016.

 

Council continues to participate in and support the Communities of Respect and Equality (CoRE) plan – a strategy to Prevent Violence Against Women and Children across the Grampians in partnership with Women’s Health Grampians.  Council is also proud to participate in the White Ribbon event held at Alexandra Gardens and the Act@Work Program

 

Stage 1 of the new Council website was launched in December 2016.  The website assists customers by enhancing service delivery, improving community engagement, minimising costs and increasing efficiency across the organisation.

 

Council have participated in various meetings in relation to the review of the Local Government Act convened by Local Government Victoria.

 

We would like to thank our Councillors for their commitment to Ararat Rural City Council and their ongoing efforts on behalf of residents.  

 

We thank businesses, members of community groups and Council officers for all having contributed to improving the liveability and amenity of our municipality.