These documents are integral for the future of our shire - they provide a clear vision and direction for our region.

For anyone who has already read these documents, it is clear that we are facing a number of challenges, particularly in the form of financial constraints.

These obstacles are largely related to the state government’s rate capping measures and the federal government’s previous freeze on assistance grants for local government organisations.

These constraints have combined to create an extremely challenging fiscal environment, but it is an environment for which we are well-prepared, and committed to confronting these issues head-on.

Already, we are lobbying our state and federal counterparts for a greater slice of funding.

We are reviewing our services and processes, both internally and externally, we are working hard to increase our rate base and we are reaching out to the Northern Grampians Shire community to assist in guiding and informing us during this process.

To be a part of this process, ratepayers can make a submission or comment to the council up until 5pm, June 22.

Copies of both documents are available on the NGSC website or in person at our Stawell and St Arnaud Customer Service Centres.

On a more positive front, the NGSC community has again demonstrated its tight-knit nature and support for one another by turning out in droves for three of our major events - the Grampians Grape Escape Food and Wine Festival, the Run the Gap event in Halls Gap and both the St Arnaud and Stawell Mother’s Day Classics.

We also recently hosted the official opening of our newly-redeveloped Pleasant Creek Historic Precinct.

This project will be a major asset for both the Stawell Historical Society and the general Stawell community.

The project provides specialised document storage in order to protect the region’s rich and vibrant history.

In addition, it will also provide much-needed meeting, events and exhibition spaces for our many community groups.

Councillor Tony Driscoll,

Northern Grampians Shire mayor