Sapphire Coast News

Bega Valley 2030 – Council long term plans adopted

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Category: Local

Published on Thursday, 07 July 2011 11:41

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At the Extraordinary Council meeting on Tuesday June 28, Bega Valley Shire Council adopted its 20 year community strategic plan – Bega Valley 2030 which has been in development for two years. The Delivery and Operational Plans covering 2011-2016 and 2011-2012 and long term financial, asset and workforce plans were also adopted.

In launching the new plans the Mayor Cr Allen congratulated the community on their input into the Plans. “Council has been working with various groups and the broader community developing a number of strategies and plans that shaped Bega Valley 2030.” Several thousand people, young and old, resident and non-resident ratepayers, have participated in its development. This Plan will act as a guide for Council and other levels of government in developing key projects, providing services and managing infrastructure for the future.”

Bega Valley 2030 replaces the 20 Year Plan adopted in 2006. Bega Valley 2030 is a visionary long term plan that identifies key aspirations the community sought for their town, village and shire. It outlines the broader strategic direction and the key outcomes that the Council, other agencies such as State and Federal government, business groups and the community will be working to achieve, including health, education and transport services, community infrastructure, and viable businesses.

Also released was Bega Valley 2011-16 (Delivery Program - DP) which replaces the four year Management Plan. This is the Council’s key tool describing the actions that Council will take to deliver aspects of the community strategic plan which are in its area of control or influence.  The Bega Valley 2011-2012 (the annual Operational Plan - OP) and the Resourcing Strategy (RS) outlines the asset, workforce and financial resources of Council required to support the Delivery Program..

Cr Allen said Council will be reviewing asset standards and service levels later this year to rationalise infrastructure and optimise services within the financial capacity of Council. ‘Professor Percy Allan and his Review Today team recognised that while Council is in a sound financial position now, due largely to the tough decisions made through the Operational Examination, unless it addressed the infrastructure backlog, Council would be in a financially vulnerable state in 10 years – a position supported by the Operational Examination in 2006.’ 

‘While Council has accepted the determination of IPART, Council recognises the condition of the roads is a real concern and will work closely with the community to work through their needs and the options to fund renewals or new infrastructure, before considering any further rating proposals’ he said.

Key issues identified by the community for the next 20 years include:

• Improved transport, health, education, training, telecommunications and employment services
• Improved safety and access
• Increased business profile locally
• Population growth enhanced

Key initiatives for the next four years for council to progress include:

• National Broadband
• Eden port upgraded and multipurpose wharf
• Bega Valley Regional Hospital
• Pambula Sports Complex
• Restoration of infrastructure damaged by floods
• Priorities from business growth, ageing and youth strategies

Key projects for 2011-2012 include:

• Pedestrian ramp Quarantine Bay
• Upgrade works Imlay Street
• Stage 1 Pambula Sports complex
• Littleton Gardens upgrade commenced
• Merimbula Causeway boat ramp upgraded
• Renewal of some collector, local access and regional  roads and bridges
• Tathra Wharf roof replaced
• Merimbula airport runway resealed
• Level of services and assets review

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