IT HAS been a challenging time in Campaspe Shire as we continue to work through the after effects of a devastating natural disaster in our region. In addressing the impacts of the 2022 flood event, and moving to the recovery phase in early 2023, we continued to provide the vast array of services to our community.
The year has certainly been a busy one. Residents, business owners, farmers and community groups alike have needed our support to navigate the myriad of challenges and complexities of restoring their lives, and to take care of their health and wellbeing.
Despite the challenges of labour, a major flood event, supply and escalating costs, our capital works program delivered an incredible 139 projects valued at more than $21 million. In our 23/24 budget we have prioritised works across Council’s 1,100km of sealed, 2,051km of gravel and 867km of earth roads, as well as additional 15.9 hectares of parks and gardens that require maintaining, improvement to our footpaths and cycleways, public amenities and buildings.
Major events including Riverboats Music Festival, the Southern 80 Ski Race and the Winter Blues Festival and many other wonderful new events hosted across our shire by dedicated community volunteers, including the Kyabram Taste and Tunes, Celebrate Stanhope, Colbinabbin Silo Art Picnic & Wine Festival have filled up our calendars.
I praise the tenacity of the local business and industry in various sectors who continue to show resilience whilst we recover from a natural disaster, all while facing ongoing staff shortages. I thank businesses, community and emergency services for supporting each other through this time.
