By Cr Rochelle Halstead
I am deeply honoured to have been elected Mayor of Bass Coast Shire Council at our first meeting of this new council term. I sincerely thank my fellow councillors for their vote of confidence, trust and support. The role of Mayor is not about one person, it is about the strength of a united team, working together to achieve the best outcomes for our community and the Bass Coast.
The value of local councils is significant in terms of the assets we manage, the services we provide, and the role we play in the community. When communities vote, they entrust the council with significant powers to make the best decisions for the issues facing us today and the opportunities of the future. While we come to the role of councillor focused on our ward communities, now as Council we will focus our attention on what is the best outcome for Bass Coast Shire.
An important part of our early work is the training and briefings from the organisation; the diverse issues, governance standards, our individual and collective roles and responsibilities and understanding the current financial position and project commitments. We've been impressed by the quality of information and briefings officers have provided to date. These briefings will continue into the early new year and provide us with a shared understanding of our work ahead.
As a council we are committed to listening to, and delivering on the needs of all residents, local business and our visitors. While we each bring different perspectives to the conversation, we share a commitment. To make Bass Coast an even better place.
There are challenges ahead of us — our operating fiscal environment, coastal erosion at Inverloch and Silverleaves, our priorities for community assets and infrastructure. These are complex issues, requiring collaboration with government departments and other partners. As Mayor, I can assure you Council's commitment will be on working towards solutions and securing results on the ground for our community.
I promise to bring enthusiasm, commitment and a drive to deliver results. Your voice matters to me, and I'm here to ensure that all corners of our community are represented. I will advocate to secure the facilities and opportunities we need for the future. The goal for this Council is to leave our community in an even better place for the generations to come.
This weekly Mayor's Message will be a place for me to share our priorities, plans and actions as well as celebrate successes and community achievements. Council's website, the Engage Bass Coast website, Facebook, and our community newsletter Coastell are all important sources of information and where you will find out about opportunities for you to get involved in shaping your community.
In my first days as Mayor, I was thrilled to hear that a recent submission to the Victorian Women's Public Art Program has been shortlisted by the State Government. This Art Program will celebrate the contributions of women across Victoria, and our submission highlights the inspiring achievements of the Wonthaggi Miners Women's Auxiliary. This courageous group of women played a vital role in supporting their community and advocating for essential services during challenging times. I encourage everyone to cast their vote and help bring this important story to life, six projects will be chosen out of 13 finalists. Voting is open now and closes on December 8. You can vote at: engage.vic.gov.au/womens-public-art-program
The festive season is also bringing joy to Bass Coast, with decorations arriving in our towns. I strongly encourage everyone to support local as you shop, these businesses help keep our community vibrant and strong.
As we embark on this new term, I look forward to working with our councillors, council officers and most importantly, you, the community. Together, as one team, we can achieve extraordinary things for Bass Coast.
