Candidate urges council to decentralise
A CANDIDATE in the South Gippsland Shire Council election is calling for new council offices to be spread throughout the shire.
Jeremy Rich, a candidate in Coastal-Promontory Ward, said a new single council building, as mooted for Leongatha in the future by council, was not the best option for the region.
“Well planned and designed council precincts spread across a variety of our shire’s townships would reinvigorate our small and larger towns,” he said.
“I envisage purpose designed spaces which respond to the needs of current residents and allow for future expansion when needs arise.
“The proposed centralised council offices in Leongatha could be reduced in size to offset the cost of multi-community hubs that house decentralised council services, libraries, meeting halls and market places, including attractive spaces for public exhibitions of our local artists or visiting exhibitions.”
Mr Rich urged council to target strategic investments to deliver better and more accessible services, and help regain the trust and connection between council and its communities.
“I believe that strong regional centres grow and develop from the strength of our smaller settlements and towns, which invariably require the services of a larger centre,” he said.
“Healthy and happy settlements, hamlets, villages and towns will help restore and re-invigorate our ailing larger centres and make all of South Gippsland a desirable living location.”
Mr Rich said the current council had been unsuccessful in making Leongatha the key focus of the region.
“The impact of this failure is compounded by the fact that it was undertaken at the expense of our region’s smaller towns by directing the majority of council funding solely toward the development of Leongatha,” he said.
“The additional fallout of all this is that, rather than ensuring its future prospects, Leongatha is now a shadow of the town it once was when I was growing up.
“We deserve a council which places a high value on fairness and sensible distribution of services, facilities and investment across the entire shire so that everyone feels valued and included, rather than just a few select sectors.
“Appropriate and contemporary facilities need to be readily accessible to all within a reasonable distance, be it from their residential or holiday home.”
Mr Rich called for council to increase the number of ratepayers in the region to increase the funding required to modernise and expand council’s services while relieving the pressure being placed on too few.
“We need to be strategic in how we approach dealing with and resolving the long established issues which continue to hinder regional Victoria,” he said.
“This can be done by sensitive and sustainable development policies that enhance the region’s facilities, and attract new residents and visitors whilst ensuring that we do not impose problems for farmers nor reduce the quality of life for our region’s people and the wonderful livability and beauty of the region’s cherished environment.
“I ask you to use your vote wisely and support candidates that have vision and policies that aim to address the current and future issues required to make our region a better and brighter place for all.”
New vision: South Gippsland Shire Council candidate Jeremy Rich believes council should decentralise council buildings and possibly create a community centre at Foster, as shown in the artist’s impression designed by architect Peter McIntyre.
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Posted by Tayla Kershaw on Oct 11 2016. Filed under News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry
