In this edition of Engage, you'll find new engagement opportunities, including the Teesdale Flood Study the first meeting of the Northern Business Network and an opportunity to provide feedback on the proposed changes to the Governance Rules.

There are also a number of upcoming events delivered both online and in person including the Community Grant drop-in sessions, Community Club and Volunteer Training Program and the Living Sculptures planting days and launch. 

Council has also taken an important step forward on its journey to reconciliation with the adoption of it's Reflect Reconciliation Action Plan. 

Feedback sought on Governance Rules 

At the July Council meeting, Council endorsed a number of proposed changes to its existing Governance Rules, with community members invited to make submissions on the changes.

The proposed rule changes are intended to comply with new requirements in relation to virtual participation in Council meetings and align Council’s Governance Rules to the best practice outlined in the Local Government Act 2020. 

The 25 proposed changes to the Governance Rules are on public exhibition until Wednesday 17 August and are available on Council’s website. Copies will also be available at Council’s Customer Hubs at 2 Pope Street, Bannockburn and 19 Heales Street, Smythesdale.

Written submissions are invited from any person, and must be received by 9am, Wednesday 17 August.

Teesdale Flood Study

Golden Plains Shire Council is seeking input from Teesdale residents to help inform the Teesdale Flood Study. 

Council is inviting Teesdale residents to take part in the Flood Study by attending one of the upcoming consultation sessions on:

• Thursday 4 August from 4 to 7pm at Teesdale Community Hall, 1109 Bannockburn-Shelford Road, Teesdale 
• Tuesday 9 August from 6.30 to 7.30pm online. A link to the online engagement session will be shared on Council’s website on Monday 8 August.  

Business Networking in the North of the Shire 

Council is inviting businesses in the north of the Shire to be a part of the Northern Business Network and attend the first meeting on Wednesday 3 August from 5.30 to 7.30pm in Linton. 

Held at the Linton Railway Hotel, 73 Sussex Street, the first meeting will see businesses invited to discuss the vision for the network including the name and theme of future network events.

Business owners will also have the opportunity to explore shared issues impacting businesses in the region, brainstorm potential solutions and ideas to attract new customers, and discuss how to do business with Council. 

For further information or to attend the meeting and be part of this network, please RSVP by 5pm, Tuesday 2 August to business@gplains.vic.gov.au or phone 5220 7102.

Community Strengthening Grants Round Two 2022 

Applications for the second round of Council's Community Strengthening Grants Program will open on Thursday 1 September and close Friday 30 September.

To support community groups applying for a Community Strengthening Grant, Council will run drop-in sessions across the Shire and online. 

The first session will be held online via Zoom on Thursday 25 August from 6 to 7.30pm. 

A link to online sessions will be shared on Council's website on the day of the session. 

Community Club and Volunteer Training Program: Recruitment and Volunteer Retention Workshop

The second Community Club and Volunteer Training Program workshop will be held in person at the Bannockburn Cultural Centre (Leigh Moorabool Room), 27 High Street, Bannockburn, on Wednesday 3 August from 7 to 8.30pm.

The workshop will explore recruitment and volunteer retention, and will assist volunteers and representatives from local sporting and recreation to clubs attract, support and acknowledge volunteers. This workshop will also cover partnerships and innovation in the volunteer space and highlight volunteer management systems. 

Planting Living Sculptures in Linton

Council is inviting community members to several planting days in August and early September to bring the Living Sculptures vision to life before the official launch on Saturday 3 September, 2022. 

Community members are invited to join the planting sessions at the Edinburgh Reserve in Linton on; Wednesday 31 August between 2 and 4pm; Thursday 1 September between 10am and 1pm and 2 to 4pm; on Friday 2 September between 11am and 1pm and 2 to 6pm; and on Saturday 3 September between 10am and 12pm. 

A Seed Collection Workshop will be held on Thursday 30 August from 6.30 to 8.30pm, at the Linton Shire Hall, where participants will learn how to collect seeds from plants and prepare them for propagation.

Council adopts Reconciliation Action Plan 

At the July Council meeting, Council adopted the Golden Plains Shire Reconciliation Action Plan. 

The Reflect RAP is the first Reconciliation Action Plan developed by Golden Plains Shire Council, under the Reconciliation Australia framework, and it outlines actions targeting the four strategic focus areas of Relationships, Respect, Opportunities and Governance. 

The Draft Reflect RAP was endorsed by Council at the March 2021 Council Meeting for review and progressing under the Reconciliation Australia accreditation process. Amendments were made to the Draft Plan to ensure consultation with staff and Traditional Owners has been culturally respectful and aligned with Reconciliation Australia’s RAP requirements and processes; cultural safety and competency; and adequate time for delivery of meaningful, transparent and achievable objectives and actions of the Reflect RAP.