RESIDENTS in six Gannawarra Shire communities are encouraged to participate in the Connecting Gannawarra project, which will help guide community planning outcomes over the coming years.
Funded by the Agriculture-Dependent Community Resilience Project, facilitators will work with residents from the Lakes District, Lalbert, Leitchville, Macorna/Tragowel, Murrabit/Myall/Benjeroop, and Quambatook during the first half of 2023 to develop these community plans.
“The Connecting Gannawarra project will build on community planning work undertaken since 2008 and will empower communities to plan for their future whilst building resilience,” Council chief executive Geoff Rollinson said.
“It is an ideal time to develop new community plans for these six communities, as these documents will capture the community’s voice for what is most important for them now.”
There will be various ways residents can participate in the Connecting Gannawarra project, with the first being a survey available to complete before Friday, March 31, online at www.gsc.vic.gov.au/ConnectingGannawarra or at the Lake Charm Service Station, Feelgood Shop, Lalbert (up to March 28), Lalbert Recreation Reserve (from March 28), Leitchville Post Office, Murrabit Trading, Mystic Park Hotel, Quambatook Stores and Sir John Gorton Library, Kerang.
“This 14-question survey asks participants to identify what they like about where they live, the important issues or challenges for their community and priorities they would like to see happen to make their community an even better place to live, work, study or visit,” Mr Rollinson said.
Residents can also share their ideas by completing a feedback sheet and submitting it in the box at the same locations where hard copies of the survey can be collected before Friday, March 31.
“All feedback received from the the surveys and feedback sheets, as well as meetings planned in the coming months, will assist with preparing draft community plans for each of these communities, which we will engage the community about during the second half of this year,” Mr Rollinson said.
DROP-IN sessions, community meetings and listening posts
Kerang Lakes – Tuesday, March 14
Community drop-in session: Lake Charm Hall (any time between 2.30pm-5.30pm)
Community meeting: Lake Charm Hall (6.30pm-8pm)
Murrabit – Monday, March 20
Listening post: Outside Murrabit Tavern (4pm-5pm)
Community meeting: Murrabit Golf Club (7.30pm)
Macorna/Tragowel – Thursday, March 23
Community meeting: Tragowel Hall (7pm-8.30pm)
Quambatook – Monday, March 27
Community drop-in session: Quambatook Community Resource Centre (anytime between 12 noon-5pm)
Community meeting: Quambatook Tennis Club (6.30pm-8pm)
Lalbert – Tuesday, March 28
Community meeting: Lalbert Recreation Reserve (2.30pm-4pm)
Leitchville – Wednesday, April 5
Listening post: Outside IGA (4pm-5pm)
Community meeting: Leitchville Memorial Hall (6.30pm-7.30pm)
Feedback will also be sought during Social Meals sessions held in each of the six communities during March:
Tuesday, March 7 (12 noon): Quambatook Senior Citizens Hall
Thursday, March 9 (12 noon): Leitchville Memorial Hall
Tuesday, March 14(12 noon): Lake Charm Hall
Wednesday, March 22 (12 noon): Murrabit Hall
Friday, March 24 (12 noon): Macorna Recreation Reserve
Tuesday, March 28 (12 noon): Lalbert Recreation Reserve
Bookings to attend any of the Social Meal sessions are required on 5450 9333.
