These included the revised Community Strategic Plan, Resourcing Strategy, Delivery Program and Operational Plan and the 2017/18 Budget and Revenue Policy which includes this year’s fees and charges.

The adoption of these documents is very important as it plots council’s immediate and long-term priority of works. Readers can see where council will spend money and what we intend to tackle from the next 12 months to 10 years.

The Community Strategic Plan identifies our community’s priorities. Together with the other documents it provides a blueprint for our upcoming works and helps council allocate the financial, physical and human resources to meet these projects.

Also listed are the Special Rate Variation (SRV) project commitments, of broad community significance and totalling a massive $98.1 million over the next 10 years. They include $51.4 million to be spent on roads, road drainage, footpaths and shared pathways, $26.8 million on stormwater drainage, $15.8 million on buildings and $4.1 million on parks and open spaces.

With these documents now locked in and supported by council, it’s time for us to roll up our sleeves and deliver some of the biggest infrastructure renewal and improvement projects this shire has ever seen.

Congratulations to our shire’s Order of Australia Medal (OAM) and Member (AM) recipients who were recognised for their services in this year’s Queen’s Birthday Honours List.

Harlan and Lynette Hall (OAM), Peter Coad (OAM), Frank Phillips (OAM), Patricia Hughes (OAM), Peter Butler (AM), Peta Seaton (AM) and Ann Carr-Boyd (AM) were all deservedly recognised for contributions to our community.

On behalf of council I thank you all for your tireless and selfless contributions and promotion of our shire. Your efforts are another reason the Highlands remains such an enviable place to live and visit.