the city of swan hill community plan...the city of swan hill is situated on the murray river in a...

The City of Swan Hill Community Plan

2010/2011

Proudly supported by the Victorian Government through the provision of a Victorian Community Support Grant from the Community Support Fund.

Rural City Council

The City of Swan Hill Community Plan 2010/2011 April 2010

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The City of Swan Hill Community Plan 2010/2011 Preface The objectives of this document are to provide information to the wider community and to encourage people who have not been involved in the Community Planning process an opportunity to participate. It is also designed to provide feedback to those who have been involved with the Community Planning process either through the Community Planning Survey, Residential Barbecues, Workshops or Public Meetings. Information collected to date from the community has been included in the City of Swan Hill Community Plan 2010/2011. The Community Planning process seeks to continually engage people who live, work, rest, visit and play in the City of Swan Hill. Information sought from others will be communicated through Community Planning Forums, to be held on a quarterly basis. Two Community Planning Follow Up Meetings were held in February, in the Swan Hill Town Hall, to finalise the City of Swan Hill Community Plan. The Plan was adopted and signed off by over fifty people who attended the meetings. For further information or comments in regard to the City of Swan Hill Community Plan, please contact Fiona on 5036 2333 or email [email protected]


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Contents Page

1. The City of Swan Hill 4

2. Community Plan Development 3

3. Community Planning Public Meetings 4 - 6 4. Purpose and Vision 7 5. The City of Swan Hill

Community Plan Structure 6-8

6. Roles and Responsibilities of the Community Plan Managing Group and Focus Groups 8-9

7. Disputes Resolution 9

8. Community Safety, Health and Wellbeing 9

9. Risk Management 10

10. Community Priorities 2010 10-19 11. Other Information 20


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1. The City of Swan Hill

Swan Hill is located 335 kilometres North West of Melbourne, nestled on the banks of the Murray River.

Bathed in sunshine the region enjoys a Mediterranean climate characterised by low humidity and endless sunlight. You can enjoy a healthy lifestyle as you relax in the country with long warm summers, crisp clear winters, and plenty of fresh produce grown nearby.

The City of Swan Hill is situated on the Murray River in a central geographic location allowing easy access to major Metropolitan Cities and is serviced by excellent roads, railway and bus services.

2. Community Plan Development The City of Swan Hill Community Plan has been developed through a collaborative process undertaken in partnership with the Swan Hill Rural City Council (Council) and the community. Council initiated a Community Planning process to generate broad community discussion and input in regards to ‘What Makes a City Perfect’. The information presented in this document has been collected from, and prioritised by, community members through a series of processes including Community Planning Workshops, Surveys, Residential Barbecues, Street Talk and Public Meetings. This provided the opportunity for community members to identify and prioritise initiatives to be considered in the City of Swan Hill Community Plan. Over 360 community members have been involved in the development of the Plan to date (February 2010). Approximately 140 members of the Swan Hill community participated in three Community Planning Public Meetings and Two Follow Up Meetings held between November 2009 and February 2010 at the Swan Hill Town Hall. 3. Community Planning Public Meetings METHODOLOGY The Public Meetings consisted of three parts and began with a power point presentation by the Swan Hill Rural City Council’s Community Planning Officer. This explained community planning, its importance, and how it would be managed and implemented in the City of Swan Hill.


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PART ONE: Community members were asked to vote on themes that had been identified through recent community consultation processes, such as Surveys, Residential Park Barbecues, Workshops and Street Talk. Twenty two themes were presented in Part One as listed below.

1. Strengthening and Building on Current Infrastructure 2. Food Security/Community Gardens 3. Building New Infrastructure 4. Improve the Entrance to the City of Swan Hill 5. Breast Feeding Friendly City 6. Expand Household and Community Recycling Programs 7. Lower Level Weir 8. Population Growth 9. Water Saving Initiatives/Reuse Water 10. Considering Health and Safety by Design Planning Principles 11. Explore Opportunities for Renewable Energy/Fuel Technologies 12. Investigate a Nuclear Power Plant 13. Reduce the City’s Eco-Footprint 14. Planning and Design for Households 15. Investment in the Community 16. Increase Choice in Residential Development 17. Major and Small Events/Festivals 18. Establish a Major Events Group 19. Create Learning Opportunities for People in Swan Hill 20. Safety and Cultural Inclusiveness 21. Infection Prevention 22. Strengthening Partnerships within our Community

In casting votes members could agree, indicate that they did not have an opinion or disagree with the theme. Members were also asked to indicate whether they would be interested in joining a focus group to address the initiative if it was prioritised in the City of Swan Hill Community Plan.


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PART TWO: There were two themes and one statement as listed below, presented on the voting sheet in Part Two. They were considered not to be negotiable but sought participants support. Themes -

23. Residential Parks 24. Youth Strategy

Statement -

25. Commitment to ongoing Engagement of the Community

‘The Community Planning process seeks to continually engage people who live, work, rest, visit and play in the City of Swan Hill. Information sought from others will be communicated through the Community Planning Meetings.’

Following this participants were invited to discuss and list new ideas and initiatives that had not been identified so far with the people sitting at their table which they would like to have considered in the City of Swan Hill Community Plan. Each group was then asked to select two ideas to share with the other participants and put forward. New ideas and initiatives were then numbered and placed on a large screen for all to see. The next step was for people to use the numbers as a reference and select three new ideas by filling in part two of their voting sheet. Once again participants were asked to indicate if they would be interested in joining a focus group to move the initiative forward on behalf of the community. PART THREE: In part three the participants were asked to place six blue dots on their voting sheet beside their six preferred themes and new ideas. Participants were informed to only put one dot per theme or new idea. Participants could choose any six themes or new ideas across part one and part two of their voting sheet. Participants were informed that the priorities to be included in the City of Swan Hill Community Plan would evolve from the information provided on the voting sheets. The inclusion of initiatives in the City of Swan Hill Community Plan needed to also have participants support to drive the initiatives forward on behalf of the community. A minimum of 6-8 people is considered adequate to establish a focus group.


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4. Purpose and Vision (A statement is to be developed by the Community Planning Group and inserted here). 5. The City of Swan Hill Community Plan Structure The Community Plan comprises projects that address the issues, challenges and opportunities in the City of Swan Hill. These initiatives have been identified and prioritised by the Swan Hill Community. These initiatives promote the purpose and vision set out in Part Four of this document. The Community Plan statements and priorities were adopted by the community in February 2010. They are listed under the themes used at the Public Meetings. The initiatives to be planned and implemented are those listed under the heading Community Priorities in Part Ten of this document. SWAN HILL COMMUNITY PLAN MANAGING GROUP AGREES: 1. To become an Incorporated Group 2. To act as the managing group of the City of

Swan Hill Community Plan. 3. To include reports in the Agenda on each of the priorities at Community

Plan scheduled meetings. 4. To act as a Financial Facilitator for any funding received to support

projects.

Focus groups have been formed and are responsible for the priorities as adopted by the community. The duly appointed focus group for each of the initial priorities are those set out under each of those priorities listed in Part Ten of this document.


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COMMUNITY PLAN REVIEW AND CHANGES TO THE PLAN: The Community Plan is to be reviewed on an annual basis through a Public Meeting process. The Community Plan document (once finalised and signed off by the community) shall not be altered in any way unless written notice specifying proposed alteration in full has been delivered to the City of Swan Hill Community Plan – Manager/Managing Group at least 60 days before a scheduled meeting and further, no less than two thirds of the attendees at the meeting vote in favour of the alteration. 6. Roles and Responsibilities of the Community Plan

Managing Group and Focus Groups

THE MANAGING GROUP In regard to the Community Planning process, the managing group has no other responsibility other than what is contained in the Community Plan. Initiatives not included in the Community Plan cannot be acted on unless the community agree to the change through a Public Meeting process. The Managing Group’s role includes: 1. The overall management of the Community Plan statements and

priorities, and to support activities of the focus groups. 2. Ensuring outcomes are achieved and focus groups are effective. 3. Identifying additional course of action when focus groups have difficulty

progressing their priority. 4. To support focus groups by involving broad sections of the community

and relevant stakeholders in progressing priorities. 5. Providing a process to enable focus groups to report progress and

outcomes of the Community Plan to the broader community. 6. Conducting a review of the Community Plan. 7. Ensuring that there is an open process to enable residents to have the

ability to contribute to focus groups. 8. To act as a financial facilitator for any funding received to support the

City of Swan Hill Community Plan.


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THE FOCUS GROUPS RESPONSIBILITIES ARE: 1. To review all plans and programs that reflect on the priority for which

they are currently responsible. 2. To develop action plans and concepts in respect to such priorities. To

liaise with the Community Planning Officer, managing group and stakeholders in the course of development.

3. To engage broad sections of the community in the development of priorities.

4. To report regularly to the managing group. 5. There is no need to have formal Terms of Reference as the focus group

has a sole responsibility to develop priorities as assigned to them.

7. Dispute Resolution In the event of a dispute, all parties must meet to discuss and resolve the matter as soon as possible. If the parties are unable to resolve the dispute, they may agree to hold a meeting in the presence of an Independent Mediator appointed by Council. The role of the mediator is only to guide the parties toward settling the dispute, not to make a decision to resolve the dispute. All parties must be given a reasonable opportunity to be heard to ensure natural justice is applied during the mediation process. 8. Community Safety, Health and Wellbeing The safety, health and wellbeing of the community are to be considered at all times when participating in Community Planning activities. This includes all aspects of development and implementation of the plan. Safety is a priority to all those concerned. A risk management plan may be required to ensure that participants, organisations and groups are covered by Public Liability and Indemnity Insurance.


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9. Risk Management The managing group of the Community Plan need to be aware of any risks associated with the implementation of the Community Plan. A risk is the change of an incident occurring that has the potential to cause loss or prevent an organisation from meeting its objectives. This loss could be to property, reputation or people. Risk management is a systematic application of management practices, policies and processes to effectively deal with the risk. Risk management is the culture and processes directed towards effective management of potential opportunities and adverse effects. Risk management allows organisations to effectively maximise available resources. 10. Community Priorities 2010/2011 Listed below are community statements and projects identified through the Community Planning process and prioritised at the Community Planning Public Meetings held between Tuesday, 10 November and Thursday, 12 November 2009 and further discussed at the Community Planning Follow Up Meetings held in February 2010. Please note: Each listed project is valued by the community as having equal importance. Focus group members will provide progress reports on projects and initiatives at each of the Swan Hill Community Plan Meetings to be held quarterly.

STATEMENT TWO: WATER SAVING INITIATIVES/REUSE WATER ‘The Community Planning process seeks to be water wise and where possible will support water saving initiatives and the reuse of water within activities undertaken through the City of Swan Hill Community Plan.’

STATEMENT ONE: COMMITMENT TO ONGOING ENGAGEMENT OF THE COMMUNITY

‘The Community Planning process seeks to continually engage people who live, work, rest, visit and play in the City of Swan Hill. Information sought from others will be communicated through the Community Planning Forums.’


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PROJECT ONE: BUILDING NEW INFRASTRUCTURE INITIATIVE ONE: CINEMA AND TEN PIN BOWLS

Special Note: Council to facilitate a Focus Group meeting to commence actions February/March 2010

Key Achievements/Actions for 2010/2011

1. To research options for the establishment of a Cinema and Ten Pin Bowling facility.

2. To work closely with Youth through Youth Council and Schools. 3. Acknowledge the movies shown at the Grain Shed and plan to compliment. 4. To provide information on progress to the community at Community Plan

Meetings. Supporting Group: Rotary Sunrise Group

INITIATIVE TWO: YOUTH FRIENDLY SPACES

Special Note: This initiative has also been identified in the Youth Strategy


1. Establish communication protocols with Youth in regards to Youth Friendly Spaces via the Youth Strategy and the work already initiated.

2. Be guided by the actions identified in the Youth Strategy Action Plan. 3. To provide information on progress to the community at Community Plan

Meetings. Initiative One and Two Focus Group: Clayton Davies, Chantelle Murphy-Davies, Adam Kelly, Caroline Ellis, Chris Lahy, Alma Caffrey, Barrie Bales, Ashley Tickell, Patricia Green, Deon Lever and Brad Morphet. (Tammy Abbott (Ten Pin Bowls))

STATEMENT THREE: CONSIDERING HEALTH AND SAFETY BY

DESIGN PLANNING PRINCIPLES

‘The Community Planning process seeks to consider health and safety by design planning principles within activities undertaken through the City of Swan Hill Community Plan.’

Special Note: Southern Mallee Primary Care Partnership (SMPCP) Healthy Lifestyle Committee will support priorities 1, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8 and 9 by providing information about applying Healthy by Design principles within the Community Plan.


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PROJECT ONE: BUILDING NEW INFRASTRUCTURE

INITIATIVE THREE: FACILITY TO HOLD NATIONAL EVENTS


Special Note: The Swan Hill community supports the ‘North West Motor Sport Industry’ to bring Drag Racing and Circuit Track to the North West of Victoria.

1. The ‘North West Motor Sport Industry to provide information on progress to the community at Community Plan Meetings.

2. To investigate suggestions as provided by the community during the Community Planning process (eg Public Art Centre/Spaces, National Drag Racing Facility, New Swimming Pool and Aboriginal Culture Centre)

3. Identify other groups and organisations that may be directly associated with suggestions and establish a collaborative approach. (eg Drag Racing Group)

4. To research all other options in regards to the establishment of a facility to hold National events.

5. To provide information on progress to the community at Community Plan Meetings.

Focus Group:

Delia Baber, Patricia Kemp, Patricia Green, Barrie Bales, Helen McKerrow, Jackie Treseder, Lucas Woodburn, Alan Ward, Graham Van Liessum, Clayton Davies, Chantelle Murphy-Davies, Gary Rovere, Ian Tully, Murray Ray, Adam Kelly, Adrian Tickell, Caroline Ellis, Alma Caffrey, Paul Munro and Ashley Tickell.


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PROJECT TWO: MAJOR AND SMALL EVENTS/FESTIVALS INITIATIVE ONE: ESTABLISH A MAJOR EVENTS GROUP Key Achievements/Actions for 2010/2011 A Major Events Group is established.

1. Identify other groups and organisations that may be directly associated with major and small events/festivals and establish a collaborative approach. (eg Go North and New Years Eve Celebration)

2. Acknowledge existing events and festivals and plan to compliment. 3. To research other options for Major and Small Events and Festivals. 4. Develop a Major and Small Events Action Plan. 5. To provide information on progress to the community at Community Plan Meetings.

INITIATIVE TWO: YOUTH ACTIVITIES/EVENTS Special Note: This initiative has also been identified in the Youth Strategy Key Achievements/Actions for 2010/2011

1. Establish communication protocols with Youth in regards to Youth Activities and Events via the Youth Strategy and the work already initiated.

2. Be guided by the actions identified in the Youth Strategy Action Plan. 3. To provide information on progress to the community at Community Plan Meetings.

INITIATIVE THREE: VIBRANT ARTS AND CULTURE EVENTS Key Achievements/Actions for 2010/2011

1. To investigate opportunities to stage Vibrant Art and Culture Events. 2. Identify other groups and organisations that may be directly associated with

suggestions and establish a collaborative approach. (eg Go North) Focus Group: Joelle Whiting, Kylie Gardner, Delia Baber, Judy McQueen, Steve Pentreath, Lois Carnie, Graham Van Liessum, Clayton Davies, Chantelle Murphy-Davies. Marie Schlemme, Rosa Guastalegname, Patricia Green, Camille Cullinan, Patricia Kemp, Judy Brawn, Tammy Abbott, Margaret Gammon, Rita Monkhouse, Gary Rovere, Natalie Jenkins, Ern Smith, Alison Gibson, Pauline Bennetto, Paul Munro, Allen Ridgeway, Murray Ray, and Lorri Lambert.


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PROJECT THREE: STRENGTHEN AND BUILD ON CURRENT INFRASTRUCTURE

INITIATIVE ONE: RIVER PRECINCT Key Achievements/Actions for 2010/2011

1. Invite Council representatives to discuss the River Precinct with the community.

2. Identify actions and create a plan for progress. 3. To provide information on progress to the community at Community Plan

Meetings. Special Note: Supporting documentation ‘The Swan Hill River Precinct Master Plan’ INITIATIVE TWO: MAINTAIN AND IMPROVE SPORTING FACILITIES Key Achievements/Actions for 2010/2011

1. Invite Council’s Community Facilitation Manager to discuss the Swan Hill Sporting Facilities with the Community.


Meetings. INITIATIVE THREE: UPGRADE AIRPORT Key Achievements/Actions for 2010/2011

1. Invite Council representatives to discuss the Swan Hill Aerodrome with the community.


Meetings. Initiative One, Two & Three Focus Group: Joelle Whiting, Graham Van Liessum, Delia Baber, Chantelle Murphy Davies, James Thompson, Joan Slater, Ern Smith, Peter Stephens, Rhonice Graham, and Adam Kelly.


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PROJECT FOUR: CREATE LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES FOR PEOPLE IN SWAN HILL INITIATIVE ONE: EMPLOYMENT AND EDUCATION OPPORTUNITIES FOR

YOUNG LOCAL PEOPLE INITIATIVE TWO: OPPORTUNITIES FOR HANDS ON LEARNING FOR

DISENGAGED STUDENTS AND SPECIAL NEEDS STUDENTS INITIATIVE THREE: MORE EDUCATION OPPORTUNITIES Special Notes: (Better Youth Services Pilot are conducting a mapping exercise) (Youth Connections Program) Key Achievements/Actions for 2010/2011

1. Murray Mallee Local Learning and Employment Network (LLEN) to facilitate a meeting with the Focus Group to provide an overview of their role and what is happening in the wider community.

2. Focus Group to identify actions for progress, after the above action is achieved. 3. Present new actions to the community at a Community Plan Meeting.

Focus Group: Patricia Kemp, Jackie Treseder, Delia Baber, Sally Bethune, Alma Caffrey, Ern Smith, Tim McMahon, Ian Tully, Judi Stevens (TAFE) and Olivia Pomroy (TAFE).


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PROJECT FIVE: EXPLORE OPPORTUNITIES FOR RENEWABLE ENERGY/FUEL TECHNOLOGY INITIATIVE ONE: NATURAL GAS INITIATIVE TWO: ATTRACT A SOLAR POWER PLANT IN SWAN HILL INITIATIVE THREE: SOLAR ENERGY FOR INDIVIDUAL HOUSEHOLDS Special Note: The Focus Group is to discuss whether solar energy for

individual households can be included as part of this priority. Then to report on decision at a Community Planning Forum.


1. Invite Council’s Economic Development Manager to discuss and provide direction for these initiatives with the community.

2. Identify how the community can support initiatives. 3. To provide information on progress to the community at Community Plan

Meetings. Focus Group: Caroline Ellis, Chris Lahy, Robert Jardine, Sally Bethune, Pauline Bennetto, Allen Ridgeway, Helen Myers, James Thompson, Ian Ray, Bianca Shepherd, and Lois Carnie. On Tuesday, 30 March 2010 the Focus Group decided to include Solar Energy for Individual Households as part of this project.


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Special Note: The community decided to put this Project on hold for six months and

revisit in August 2010. PROJECT SIX: STRENGTHENING PARTNERSHIPS WITHIN OUR

COMMUNITY INITIATIVE ONE: STRONGER NETWORKS BETWEEN COMMUNITY SERVICES,

SCHOOLS, TAFE AND COUNCIL Key Achievements/Actions for 2010/2011

1. Identify services, institutions, groups and organisations that may be directly associated with initiatives and establish a network.

2. Identify actions and create a plan for progress. 3. To provide information on progress to the community at Community Plan Meetings.

INITIATIVE TWO: SUITE OF PROFESSIONALS Special Note: Eg Dentist, Doctors, Physiotherapists and Opticians, etc. Key Achievements/Actions for 2010/2011

1. Invite a representative from the Department of Human Services to discuss and provide direction for this initiative.

2. Identify other health facilities that may be directly associated with this initiative and establish a collaborative approach, eg Swan Hill Health Service and Mallee Division of General Practice.

3. Identify actions and create a plan for progress. 4. To provide information on progress to the community at Community Plan Meetings.

INITIATIVE THREE: BUILD ON AND CREATE CLUBS THAT SUPPORT NEW

PROFESSIONALS AND INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS TO THE AREA.


1. Invite members from the Young Professionals Network to discuss and provide direction for this initiative. The Young Professional Network is currently in recession.

2. Identify actions and create a Plan for progress. 3. To provide information on progress to the community at Community Plan Meetings.

Focus Group: Patricia Kemp, Ceinwin McCann and James Thompson.


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PROJECT SEVEN: IMPROVE THE ENTRANCES TO THE CITY OF

SWAN HILL Key Achievements/Actions for 2010/2011

1. Invite Council representatives to discuss this initiative with the community.

2. Identify actions and create a plan for progress.

3. To provide information on progress to the community at Community Plan Meetings. Focus Group: Alison Gibson, Allen Ridgeway, Helen Myers, Patricia Green, Joan Slater, Susan Lever, Rita Monkhouse, Margaret Gammon and Adam Kelly,

PROJECT EIGHT: RESIDENTIAL PARKS

The development of ‘Friends of the Park’ will be supported through the City of Swan Hill Community Plan.

George Lay Park Mundara Park Jaycee Park/Harrison Crescent And others

Special Note: The Swan Hill College VCAL Group has offered their services in 2010 to support this initiative in George Lay Park.


1. Identify local residents to lead ‘Friends of the Park’. 2. Identify groups and organisations that may like to be involved and or contribute

resources to undertake activities in the parks. (eg. Council, Swan Hill Police) 3. Identify actions and create a plan for progress.

Friends of the Park:

George Lay Park: Thomas Ward, Chantelle Murphy-Davies, Christine Steicke and Jennie Finlayson.

All Parks: Andrew Downes

Jaycee Park: Deon Lever

Mundara Park: Susan Davis, Joelle Whiting

Other Parks: Bruce Jones, Cr Greg Cruickshank, Adam Kelly and Natalie Jenkins.


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PROJECT NINE: YOUTH STRATEGY 2009 – 2013

Thirty four community members indicated they would like to support the Youth through the Community Planning process to achieve their Actions in the Youth Strategy.


1. Council’s Youth Support Officer to inform the community of actions they can undertake to support the Youth Strategy through the Swan Hill Community Planning Meetings.

Community Support Group:

Sallie Amy, John Daniel, Ian Ray, Kylie Gardner, Robyn Fry, Tanya Penny, Leah Farrow, Chris Lahy, Andrew Downes, Jill Pattenden, Bruce Jones, Delia Baber, Jan McEwan, Robert Jardine, Glenn Stewart, Sally Bethune, Val Jeans, Lois Carnie Suzi Van Dorenmalen, Greg Cruickshank, Merrilyn Kemp, Rosa Guastalegname, Margaret Patricia Bradley, Kane Sparks, Simone Wren, Thomas Ward, Natalie Jenkins, Clayton Davies, Chantelle Murphy-Davies and Paul Munro.

PROJECT TEN: LOWER LEVEL WEIR Special Note: The community decided to put this Project on hold and to revisit at a

later date. Key Achievements/Actions for 2010/2011

1. The Community Planning Officer to identify how the community can assist and support the achievement of this Project.


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11. Other Information WHERE TO FROM HERE

• Council to facilitate a Cinema and Ten Pin Bowls Focus Group meeting in February/March 2010.

• Community Planning Officer (CPO) to organise Focus Group meetings in March/April 2010.

• City of Swan Hill Community Plan Focus Groups to elect a member(s) to liaise with the CPO in regards to the management of the Community Plan until a Community Plan Managing Group is established.

• City of Swan Hill Community Plan Focus Groups to commence planning of Projects in March/April 2010.

• City of Swan Hill Community Plan finalised and released by 19 April 2010.

• Swan Hill Community Planning Forum to be held on Monday, 19 April 2010. Focus Groups to provide a report for the community.

• The City of Swan Hill Community Plan will be presented to Council at the Ordinary Meeting of Council on Tuesday, 20 April 2010.

For further information in regard to Community Planning or this document, please do not hesitate to contact Fiona Gormann, Community Planning Officer, Swan Hill Rural City Council by phoning 5036 2333 or email Fiona at [email protected].

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