First developed in 2020-21, the vision sets out a view of the future of the shire and was formed as a result of a collaboration between council and the community.
The vision document is set to be reviewed periodically over the next three terms of council.
Over the 2024-25 period, 40 participants, who were randomly selected from 129 applicants across the shire, formed a panel to amend the document.
The panel determined that very little change needed to be made to the vision, which is comprised of six key themes and a vision statement, and just four minor amendments were made.
Six themes of Mitchell Shire’s Community Vision
- Theme 1 - Vibrant and healthy communities
- Theme 2 - Working, learning and tourism
- Theme 3 - Travelling and getting around
- Theme 4 - Shaping neighbourhoods
- Theme 5 - Nature and parks
- Theme 6 - Climate action
To Theme 1 of the vision, which was once ‘Vibrant communities’, the word ‘healthy’ has been added to transform it into ‘Vibrant and healthy communities’, a theme that encompasses the community’s desire to have accessible health and community services, recreational facilities, community buildings, and activities and programs for all ages.
Throughout the document, words within the themes have also been slightly amended to reflect community sentiment.
The final two changes were made to the Vision Statement and Community Wish, adding the word ‘creativity’ to the former, and ‘healthy living’ and ‘cultures’ to the latter.
- Refreshed Vision Statement: “We are a healthy, vibrant and connected community that values nature, diversity, creativity and innovation.”
- Refreshed Community Wish: “Our community’s wish for the future is that Mitchell will become a place that people of all ages and cultures love to call home, where we celebrate our natural beauty, healthy living and where businesses prosper.”
In a council meeting on Monday, June 16, councillors voted to unanimously adopt the refreshed vision.
Cr Claudia James said that while there were only minor amendments to the original document put out four years ago, the changes made highlighted what the community needed.
“What was strongly emphasised in this revised vision was the importance of health to our community,” Cr James said.
“Another important addition that was added to this one was the need to support the local arts and other creative communities in the shire.”
Cr Nathan Clark said it was important to note the value of community consultation in council operations.
“Community consultation is something that’s very important for the council to operate effectively and achieve all of its objectives — having the community input is vital,” Cr Clark said.
The next revision of the vision will be undertaken in the 2028-29 period.
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