Shire needs to listen, says Deputy Mayor

YOUR attitude to the Bass Coast Shire Council’s annual report could depend on whether you’re a “glass half-full or half-empty” kind of person.

But, according to the Deputy Mayor Cr Rochelle Halstead, “like him or not” you can’t doubt the stewardship of the Bass Coast Mayor Cr Michael Whelan.

“He is knowledgeable in the climate emergency space, and we should be proud of the progress our city has made here. With the adoption of the urban forest strategy, investment in electric vehicles and sustainable infrastructure and continued education in how our community can contribute to the target of achieving net zero emissions, there has been significant progress made, thank you Mr Mayor.”

Speaking at last week’s council meeting, Cr Halstead said the annual report reflected on a huge year for the shire.

She went on to list some of the council’s other achievements during the financial year 2022-23, including the Bass Coast Business Awards, the new Community Awards, and the Community Grants

Program which delivered more than $100,000 in grants to her own ward of Westernport.

Cr Halstead congratulated the shire’s officers, “many who are local and others who live close by… not just a voice on the other end of the phone,” for what had been achieved.

“Bass Coast should also be proud of the record-breaking capital works delivery, that has seen, for example, the new Guide Park Playspace, Guys Road Pathway, Berninneit Cultural Centre, PICAL’s new home and new Wonthaggi Tennis Pavilion delivered just to name a few.”

But Cr Hallstead acknowledged the council wasn’t perfect.

“There’s always more work to do. Did we get it 100 per cent right? I don’t believe we did. The results of our Community Satisfaction Survey tell us that. So, how do we improve these results? I would suggest by continuing listening, not only to those who have the loudest voices. Over the next 12 months we need to put our heads down and do our best to improve in those areas where our community feels we have let them down,” said Cr Halstead.

She encouraged locals to read the annual report, available on the shire’s website.