Published on Friday, 26 August 2022 at 3:27:27 PM
August typifies a month of transition. The weather turns from cool to warm, the sun shines a little longer each day, the countryside blossoms, and the blow flies appear...argh! The calendar has well and truly flipped into the new budget year which denotes the beginning of new and fresh projects for the Shire of Chapman Valley. Spring is also the time when our community comes alive with a hype of activity, as it certainly will in the coming week with the Chapman Valley Show just around the corner on Saturday 3rd September 2022.
By now most will have received an annual rate notice. Council and staff continually review how to improve efficiencies and keep rate revenue increases to an absolute minimum. Elected members are conscious of the bottom line, and how any changes impact constituents. This year council supported a 3.81% rate increase (down from a 5% increase projected in the corporate business plan), and for owners who have had significant land revaluations this may impact the overall rate paid. The revaluations are not something council controls, which will contribute to your rate notice bottom line. It is suggested you contact the valuer general office who sets land valuations if you are concerned with your property valuation. For other queries relating to the 2022-2023 budget and rate notice, elected members and staff are here to answer any questions so please reach out and contact us.
Last weekend I had the privilege of officially opening the inaugural Fields of Gold Backroads Gravel Bike Race which meandered through the heartland of the Valley. The event was possible with the considerable support from local landholders, community, shire staff, and the tremendous events team. Over 325 riders registered for the event, who were able to take in the spectacular weather and countryside on the day. The inaugural event highlights Chapman Valley as destination to enjoy at this time of year and the events team is hopeful on building on this year’s success. The Shire looks forward to welcoming the Backroads team in 2023.
Council held its August Ordinary Council meeting at Bill Hemsley Park on Thursday 18th August. It was a terrific opportunity to hear from and meet residents from the area and take the council meeting on the road outside of the chambers. Questions raised from the floor included vermin and weed control, drainage, fire season preparedness, and compliments for ongoing efforts from staff and council in completing projects across the shire. The concerns raised have mostly been highlighted and planned for in the upcoming financial year with the adoption of the statutory budget on 15th August 2022. A copy of the budget is available from the Shire website. And just as a reminder to all, council meetings are the third Thursday of the month (except January- no meeting) at 8.30am and are open to the public. The OCM commences with public question time and is an opportunity for you to ask questions of council. We welcome you to do so.
While at the Bill Hemsley Park for the council meeting, I was honoured to open the Shire’s grasstree crown garden which was duly funded by the Australian Government’s Plating Trees for the Queen’s Jubilee Program. Thanks go to the Shire gardening department, Trevor, Brian, and Melinda who led and did the heavy lifting on this project, we commend you for your efforts. The garden delivers a prominent level of community spirit and amenity, something our shire shines bright with!
Signing off by repeating, there is no time like now, travel the road less travelled, challenge the comfort zone, and explore beyond boundaries. There truly are gems to be found and gained by doing so as I have done again this month. Until the next musing, have a wonderful month.
Cr. Kirrilee Warr
Shire of Chapman Valley President
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