It’s very exciting to be starting work on the projects funded through our successful funding applications, with $14.1 million awarded to Council for the Mansfield Station Precinct under the Australian Government’s Regional Precincts and Partnerships Program.

Community voices will continue to play an important part as we deliver each individual project in the masterplan.

The fact we’ve been able to secure funding is a testament to the years of planning, engagement and advocacy that have gone into the Station Precinct.

We have been working closely for many years with community groups to see this project to this point and continue our community partnerships.

We recently welcomed 3 new members to the Station Precinct Stakeholder Group – Emma Wiking, Matthew Empey and Samantha Orb – joining 7 other community members on the group.

I look forward to seeing how they work together in partnership with Council and other stakeholders.

Last week I was joined by Tourism North East’s newly appointed Chair Martin Pakula and CEO Bess Nolan-Cook in a tour of the Station Precinct and planned projects.

They congratulated Council on receiving funding, and we look forward to working with them to promote business and visitor opportunities as the Precinct develops.

It was great to also receive confirmation of $1 million in funding for upgrades to the Mansfield Swimming Pool in addition to $750,000 allocated in Council’s budget.

Our community has been calling for a year-round aquatic facility for a long time, and our upgrades will enable more use of the existing pool facilities and avoid the need for families to travel for swimming lessons.

The Aquatic Facilities Working Group has recently formed as a community partnership with Council to further progress our community’s need.

Council is also listening to the community’s concerns around traffic congestion on the Maroondah Highway.

While this is a state road and we don’t have direct control, we are always advocating and trying to work with the state for better roads for our community.

In this case, we have also worked directly with local stakeholders to see how we can help.

Last year Council worked with Buller Sports to change the direction of traffic, which had huge benefits for flow on Maroondah Highway.

With heavier traffic this year, Council worked with Buller Sports, the Police and the Department of Transport to find solutions for this problem.

We have been patrolling Elvins Street to make sure residents have access to their homes and that people are doing the right thing on Council’s roads during this busy snow season.

I want to talk about the Delatite Valley Plan.

There has been a lot of misinformation spread across social media, which I am disappointed about.

I have always said that this Council, under my leadership, will listen to community and that is what we are doing.

Council officers have recently engaged with the Merrijig and Delatite Valley community to listen and understand their concerns and views on the draft Plan.

This Plan is a collaboration between all residents and ratepayers in the Valley and I am very keen, as usual, to make sure that we all protect our farmland and rural amenity.

Finally, I would like you to know that I continue to advocate against the unfair increase in the Emergency Services Volunteers Fund (tax) and I am working hard behind the scenes on your behalf.