A panel consisting of 44 community members has provided valuable input and ideas to Baw Baw Shire as part of developing a new council plan.
Selected randomly to represent the shire's diversity, the community panel participated in four workshops over a five-week period in March and April.
The results will contribute to the 2025-29 council plan as well as other strategic documents, including the municipal public health and wellbeing plan, asset plan and finance plan.
As part of their work, the panel was presented a summary of the "Shape Baw Baw for the Next Four" engagement program, which interacted with more than 400 people at local markets and businesses, through focus groups and via online surveys.
Panel member Jacob, who has lived in Rawson for the past 20 years, said he put his hand up to join the panel to learn more about council processes and local councillors' views. He hoped to make a difference for the community.
"It's been a good experience," Jacob said. "I've learned a lot, and it gives the councillors the opportunity to listen to what the community wants."
When asked what he loved most about the shire, Jacob was quick to mention his love of the bush.
"There are lots of opportunities to get out into the bush here in Baw Baw Shire," he said. "Hunting, camping, fishing and four-wheel driving are some of my favourite things to do here."
Baw Baw Shire mayor Danny Goss said council was committed to working in partnership with the community to create shared priorities for this council term.
"We will use this valuable feedback to help Baw Baw Shire plan for the next four years and pave a pathway for the future," Cr Goss said.
Under the Local Government Act, local government must adopt or review a community vision with a minimum lifespan of 10 years as well as develop a four-year council plan based on deliberative engagement practices.
Council engaged Capire Consulting Group to design and deliver elements of the broad engagement, and design, deliver and report on the deliberative engagement approach.
All contributions by the community panel will now inform the development of the new draft strategic documents, which will be presented back to the community for review before final council endorsement later in the year.