General News
28 July, 2022
Councils join forces to push for better outcomes
INCREASED collaboration across council boundaries was the aim of a joint meeting between Moyne and Corangamite shire councillors recently.
INCREASED collaboration across council boundaries was the aim of a joint meeting between Moyne and Corangamite shire councillors recently.
Joint advocacy for increased road funding, shared staff and services and the challenges and opportunities of renewable energy were key topics discussed at the meeting in Darlington.
Mayor of Moyne Shire Council Ian Smith said it was important for both councils to work together for the benefit of the region.
“We are separated by a line on a map, but our communities aren’t making decisions about using services based on which side of that line something is located,” he said.
“Corangamite and Moyne already work very closely together in many areas – our new shared library service is one example of that – but there are other areas where we can perhaps have a bigger impact with a united approach.”
Corangamite Shire deputy mayor Geraldine Conheady echoed the importance of ongoing conversations between the councils, with a focus on practical solutions for community benefit.
“Dealing with competing and complex land-use planning forms much of the work of officers and councillors at both councils,”she said.
“With a combined land area of nearly 10,000 square kilometres and a 34,000 population, we are remarkably similar in our economic and social profiles, with agriculture by far the largest employer and generator of prosperity in our communities.
“Both councils agreed that we need to be proud of this strength and to ensure that we protect this vital industry into the future,”she said.
Both councils have committed to future meetings to work together on key issues and opportunities.
“It make a lot of sense and is a productive way to solve issues and seize opportunities for our communities,” Cr Conheady said.