Council
10 July, 2025
Long-term vision earns endorsement
CORANGAMITE Shire Council has updated its strategic document which will guide the direction of the shire based on community feedback for the next four years.
Councillors voted to adopt the new Community Vision 2040 at last month’s Ordinary Meeting of Council.
The vision is built around community feedback, providing a collection of aspirations and ideas which can shape council decision-making over the next four years.
The strategic document had originally been adopted in 2021, and was back before council to be updated through to 2029.
The new document remains largely consistent with the original, following feedback from hundreds of shire residents.
New wording or strengthening of terms has been added to reflect community feedback in areas such as affordable childcare, increased housing, aged care provision, diverse training and employment opportunities, protecting agricultural land and promoting community safety.
Cooriemungle Ward councillor Jamie Vogels, as mover, spoke in favour of the recommendation to adopt the updated Community 2040 Vision.
He praised the extensive engagement process which allowed for a strong reflection of community desires within the document.
“This item brings forward a document that’s not only strategic but reflects who we are and where we want to go as a community,” Cr Vogels said.
“The vision has been shaped across our shire through surveys, forums, kitchen table chats and direct engagement with people from all walks of life.
“The result gives a clear picture of what matters most – access to childcare, support for aging in place, reliable transport, vibrant arts and culture and equitable treatment across the shire.
“It’s encouraging to see the continuity from the original 2021 vision, with updates that generally reflect evolving community sentiment.
“For climate resilience to economic opportunity, liveability to social connection – this document will help shape policies, budgets and advocacy over the next four years.”
Leura Ward councillor Laurie Hickey said he was happy to second a “great vision”.
“This is a very good roadmap of what Corangamite is going to look like in the future,” he said.
“The most important thing is it wasn’t made in the back room – it came from the people in the room, the community, everyone came together and had a go at making this plan and formulated it very well.
“In a nutshell, it does focus on the areas of being ready for change, supporting people of all ages, keeping our town’s great places to live, growing jobs and businesses and working together as a community to make it all happen.
“For those community members who have been with us on the journey, thank you very much.
“It’s only possible that we’ve got a plan like we have because of the people who deeply care about the shire – both community and expected representatives.”
The motion to adopt the Corangamite 2040 Vision was unanimously carried.
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