Have your say on Council's draft Thriving Together plan
TL;DR
Residents are encouraged to have their say on the draft
Location
Cohuna
Have your say on Council's draft Thriving Together plan
Residents are encouraged to have their say on the draft
Thriving Together 2026-2030 - a plan for a diverse, inclusive and resilient Gannawarra
, which outlines Gannawarra Shire Council's commitment to strengthening community connection, equity, wellbeing and resilience.
Funded by the Victorian and Commonwealth Governments through the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA) following the 2022 floods, the plan acknowledges the significant impact of natural disasters on rural communities and highlights the importance of social inclusion and connectedness in supporting recovery from adverse events.
"
Thriving Together 2026-2030 - a plan for a diverse, inclusive and resilient Gannawarra
outlines Council's commitment to ensuring every resident feels valued, welcomed, safe and connected, while also meeting Council's requirement to develop and implement a Disability Action Plan," Chief Executive Officer Geoff Rollinson said.
"The plan builds on the achievements of Council's Social Inclusion Strategy 2019-2023, which included the installation of three All Abilities Play Spaces in Kerang, Cohuna and Koondrook, a Changing Places facility at Atkinson Park in Kerang, and improved disability parking and footpaths as part of streetscape upgrades.
"Council also became a National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) provider to ensure local access to disability services. During this time, Council grew the local disability workforce, with the service and workforce ultimately transitioning to another local provider in 2023."
The draft
Thriving Together
plan has been informed by feedback gathered through three community engagement activities: the review of the Social Inclusion Strategy 2019-2023, development of the Gannawarra Shire Council Plan 2025-2029 and 2040 Community Vision, and the six‑month
Let's Talk About the Weather
program.
Insights from more than 1,100 residents across these initiatives are reflected in the plan's strategies and actions, which focus on five priority areas: Welcoming and Connecting Communities; Improving Accessibility; Embracing and Valuing Diversity; Keeping the Community Informed; and Supporting Emergency Preparedness and Resilience.
"As we have seen during times of drought, floods and other adverse events, our residents come together to support one another," Mr Rollinson said.
"However, our community has also told us there are key priorities that Council can lead and support to better address the compounding impacts of adverse events, particularly the impact these events have on our small, agriculture‑dependent communities.
"Alongside investments in emergency preparedness, the
Thriving Together
plan supports initiatives to reduce barriers, strengthen inclusion and enhance community connections through ongoing collaboration between Council, local organisations, schools, service providers, community groups, volunteers and residents."
Residents can have their say on the draft
Thriving Together 2026-2030 - a plan for a diverse, inclusive and resilient Gannawarra
document up to 5pm Friday, 17 April one of the following ways:
By completing a Have Your Say form, available online at
www.gsc.vic.gov.au/yoursay
or from Council's Customer Service Centres at Cohuna and Kerang.
By emailing
By writing to PO Box 287, Kerang VIC 3579.
By phoning Council on (03) 5450 9333.
"All feedback received will assist with the development of the final version of the
Thriving Together 2026-2030 - a plan for a diverse, inclusive and resilient Gannawarra
document, which is to be presented to Council at a later date for approval," Mr Rollinson said.
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