Mayor Bill Chisholm was joined by deputy mayor David Atkinson and 900 other delegates to discuss a wide range of issues with Federal Government representatives.
Mitchell Shire Council presented six motions covering:
●road and bridge maintenance funding — increasing the Roads to Recovery program and to broaden the Bridges Renewal Program;
●a national public health approach to gambling-related harm;
●more on-ground mental health services for rural and regional communities across life stages;
●national leadership on housing appropriateness, accessibility and affordability;
●provision of universal access to early childhood education services and infrastructure; and
●reducing waste and improving resource recovery systems to ensure a more environmentally sustainable future for our communities.
These were all supported by the delegates and will now form part of the National Local Government Assembly’s policy platform for the coming year. Mitchell Shire Council’s delegates also met with Shadow Local Government Minister Jason Clare.
Cr Chisholm invited Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack to visit Mitchell Shire to discuss road funding issues, including the Wallan freeway ramps.
Cr Chisholm said the National Local Government Assembly was a valuable opportunity for councils from right across Australia to come together.
‘‘It gives us a chance to discuss common issues, to look at different approaches people are taking at a local and regional level and to work together as a sector on priority issues,’’ he said.
‘‘The assembly is also a great chance to meet face-to-face with Federal Government representatives and talk about local matters such as our recent Federal Election advocacy campaign on mental health services and the Wallan freeway full diamond interchange.
‘‘This council works very hard to advocate to other spheres of government on behalf of our community and this was a very productive forum.’’