Local resident working groups in Moriac and Winchelsea are calling on everyone in their broader communities to submit ideas and aspirations for a three-year Community Plan for each district.
Community planning brings residents together to explore what matters to people locally, identify common values, and form a shared vision for their community. With this as the basis, residents create a Community Plan that includes a clear list of goals, priorities and actions that community members themselves will act upon.
Since the beginning of this year, the Moriac and Winchelsea working groups have been creating tools such as surveys and postcards, as well as holding local events and gatherings, in a bid to encourage people to have input into what they want their towns and communities to look like, now and in the future. So far, more than 350 people have shared their thoughts through the survey, which calls for ideas both big and small.
This month, the groups will be holding community gatherings, where a summary of all the ideas and inputs gained in each community will be shared, and priorities identified by all in attendance.
“The Moriac Community Network is very excited to be having our community round tables and are looking forward to all of the wonderful ideas coming from our community surveys and postcards for our next Community Plan,” says Kim Rowe, President of the Moriac Community Network.
The Winchelsea Big Community Conversation will be held on 19 May and the Moriac Community Round Tables on 24 May. All details, as well as links to the survey, can be found at www.surfcoast.vic.gov.au/CommunityPlanning.
“I want to thank our incredible local working groups, who have drawn on their own skills, knowledge and connections to engage their communities about the future of Moriac and Winchelsea,” Surf Coast Shire Mayor Liz Pattison said.
“This is an exciting time for both townships and I’m looking forward to seeing the final plans that reflect the unique values of local people and places.”
Meanwhile, community members are invited to attend Surf Coast Shire Council’s 23 May Council meeting, which will be held in Winchelsea. The meeting will start at 6pm at Eastern Reserve Community Centre. The agenda will be published via surfcoast.vic.gov.au/meetings prior to the meeting.
