Did you catch the one about the winemaker, the shopkeeper, and the restaurateur?
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If you have tuned in to local Prime7 TV channels over the last fortnight, chances are you will have seen the fantastic advertising campaign from the Greater Ararat Business Network and Ararat Rural City Council.
The ads showcase entrepreneurial talent from Ararat, Warrak, Moyston, Willaura and Lake Bolac, and remind us that stronger community and stronger business makes us stronger together.
Ararat Rural City Council is mindful of the current difficulties around the COVID-19 event and the impact this is having on our communities and economy.
In line with this we have decided to decrease our budgeted rating revenue by one percent to keep rates as close as possible to last year.
Read more:
- Grampians, Mt Arapiles open after Parks Victoria eases coronavirus closures
- Twenty jobs up for grabs at Ararat Rural City Council as part of Working for Victoria scheme
- Schools during coronavirus: Some Wimmera students to return in two weeks
- Horsham Golf Club's coronavirus restrictions-related hiatus ends
- Horsham experiences coldest morning of 2020 so far on May 14
The Budget impact is $445,000, which will be recouped through organisational efficiencies and not affect delivery of Council services.
Decreasing our rate revenue by 1 percent and ensuring a commitment to maintain relativities in rating burden by the general, industrial, commercial and farm sectors are key measures Council considers important for us to be able to get through this pandemic, stronger together.
The Budget underpins one of the most important documents we develop - our council plan.
It is the foundation for everything we as an organisation strives to achieve for the community and is a blueprint for everything we do on a day-to-day basis.
Both the Budget and council plan can be viewed at www.ararat.vic.gov.au and submissions are welcome.
Our focus for this fourth year of the 2017-2021 plan is to build and maintain community infrastructure, design new activities and programs, and seek funding to deliver on our current commitments.
We have continued to increase capital works investment to upgrade and maintain roads and footpaths, drainage, community buildings, swimming pools and sporting facilities.
Our revised Council Plan includes initiatives to:
- Develop township strategies for Lake Bolac and Elmhurst
- Seek sector partners to redevelop the McDonald Centre site in Ararat
- Complete the skatepark lighting element of the Ararat on the Move project
- Hold a cultural festival in 2020/2021
- Advocate for the development of the Ararat Regional Park Mountain Bike Track
- Start female-friendly change facilities at the Willaura Recreation Reserve
- Begin work on the Mininera Recreation Reserve irrigation project
- Start planning for the Ararat Fitness Centre and outdoor pool upgrades
- Establish a co-working space
- Plan for the Ararat bypass and continue advocating for the Western Highway duplication, and
- Complete Council's Waste Management Strategy, including impacts of the state government's Circular Economy Policy.
Let's look forward, look out for each other, and above all, let's stay #StrongerTogether.
- Cr Jo Armstrong is Ararat Rural City Council Mayor