Food for thought after ‘kitchen table’ conversations

Published on 09 August 2024

Corangamite residents dished up a smorgasbord of aspirations and ambitions when they met councillors and senior staff at a recent series of “kitchen table” conversations.

The casual discussions, designed to be as low key as a chin wag over the kitchen table, were held in each of the Shire’s 12 towns during June and July.

Mayor Kate Makin said it was a great opportunity to get out and meet community face to face.

“While Councillors and officers can be easily contacted, being front and centre gave us a chance to prompt people to talk who might not pick up the phone or leave a message on our website or social media.

“We heard their concerns about roads and other pressing issues which are all being acted on.

“One of the big asks was for better directional linemarking, signage, speed reductions and policing in Darlington, Derrinallum and Lismore—particularly in relation to trucks and oversize vehicles.

“All three communities are very concerned about resident and visitor safety along the Hamilton Highway through their towns.

“As it’s a State road, Council will take up those issues with Regional Roads Victoria,” Cr Makin said.

People had an appetite for more tourism opportunities, such as building on the miniature trains, historical centre and aerodrome in Cobden, and a caravan park or more accommodation in Timboon, Cr Makin said.

“There was also a strong desire for action to improve housing affordability, whether it be addressing the issue of homes standing vacant or finding ways to help younger people return to the area and buy a house.

“Council has been doing a lot of work in that area with planning amendments to attract investment and will keep looking for innovative solutions.”

Cr Makin said a lot of the discussions focused on the big ideas and themes which will be used by the new Council after the election in October.

“The feedback we gathered will be used to develop the new Council Plan and to update the 2040 Community Vision.”

Other key themes included:

• Spaces for people to connect socially
• Support for the much-loved community halls, and more community infrastructure
• A community plant nursery
• Childcare
• Support for business networks getting businesses to open on weekends
• Facilities such as libraries and recreation facilities to be open more
• Traffic calming
• More EV chargers across the Shire
• More public art
• More lighting
• More action on Climate Change mitigation
• More education / assistance with recycling

• Hard rubbish collections