Merry Christmas from the Mayor

This year the Southern Grampians Shire community experienced some great highs and some devastating lows. But, as I reflect on the year that was, I feel a great sense of pride that I'm part of a community that is resilient, caring, and hard-working.

This year council worked in partnership with the community on a wide range of programs, initiatives and strategies to continue to improve our amenities, lifestyle, and natural environment.

Together, we also took greater steps towards better inclusion and acceptance of all people in our shire through some important awareness campaigns and events.

Council also worked with stakeholders to progress a busy capital works program to benefit sport and recreation, the arts, tourism and our parks and gardens. I look forward to celebrating the completion of these projects in 2024.

We also celebrated the launch of the 'Emerging from Darkness' exhibition, which features very old European Baroque art - many pieces which have never been seen before in public. I encourage local residents and visitors to see this once-in-a-lifetime exhibition this summer.

During the school holidays there will be plenty of activities for youth at HILAC, the library, and the gallery - as well as movies at the cinema.

But, for now, I wish everyone a safe and happy Christmas and New Year and I look forward to seeing you at the community celebration event at the Hamilton Botanic Gardens on Australia Day, January 26.

Cr David Robertson
Mayor

New 10-year vision drafted for Hamilton Showgrounds

At the December ordinary council meeting, councillors approved the draft Hamilton Showgrounds Master Plan, which is now out for public consultation with feedback invited before January 30, 2023.

Other outcomes from the meeting include:

Deciding that the Bushfire Place of Last Resort for Hamilton would be changed to the Hamilton Showgrounds during the Melville Oval Facilities Redevelopment Project.
Endorsing the amended scope of works by BS and SK McLean (Sportsfields Australia) for the Pedrina Park Soccer Field drainage project to be undertaken this financial year for $135,000, plus a contingency allocation of up to $28,000.
Awarding the asbestos removal contract to AC Laser Electrical for the tendered sum of $485,955.
Resolving to demolish the decommissioned toilet block on the Glenelg Highway in Glenthompson and build a new amenities block in consultation with the community.
Approving the draft Natural Assets Strategy - Plan for Nature, which aims to protect the shire's biodiversity and natural values. Public feedback will be invited on the draft.
Approving the draft Recreation Framework, which aims to provide a fairer and more equitable approach to council support of recreational facilities across the shire. Public feedback will be invited on the draft.
Approving the release of the Planning Scheme Review Report 2023 for the public to review. The latest review was undertaken in 2019.

Cox Street project update

For the past several weeks, MACA Civil Pty Ltd has been upgrading the sub-surface drainage along Cox Street and completing associated drainage works.

MACA fully opened Cox Street on December 14 and will carry out some minor works next week before going on Christmas break. They will return to site on January 9, 2024 to resume work on the project.

Melville Oval project update

Powercor has finished undergrounding powerlines in Market Place to make space for the new netball courts and pavilion.

Lead contractor UltraBuild will resume work on January 15, 2024 to begin building the foundations for the new pavilion and back section of the grandstand. Traffic management will remain in place over the holiday period.

New lights for
Silvester Oval

Council is installing four new 150 lux LED light towers to enable night footy training at Silvester Oval in Coleraine.

The $420,000 project also includes upgrading the existing power supply at the site. The lights are expected to be installed by the end of February 2024. Photo: Hamilton Spectator.

New parking meters for CBD

Council will begin installing 17 new 'next-generation' parking meters in Hamilton’s CBD in January.

The parking meters will be installed along Gray Street (seven meters), Thompson Street (six), and Brown Street (four). They'll be solar-powered and paperless and demonstrate our commitment to 'introducing new technology to the community that is operated sustainably'.

Key points:

Users can pay for parking by tapping a bank card/pre-paid debit card or using a phone app.
There will be no requirement to display a ticket on the vehicle dashboard.
Cars can be moved multiple times in the CBD during the paid period.

There is a sample parking meter at council customer service in Brown Street.

Business Park work to resume

Civil works will resume at the Hamilton Business Park on January 8, 2024

Work will include the installation of NBN and electricity. Hamilton Elders Real Estate continues to manage the sale of blocks on behalf of council.

EOIs to open for
Lakes Edge sale

Council land at Lakes Edge will soon go on the market through Biggin Scott of Hamilton, with an Expression of Interest running to February 2024.

Council looks forward to selling the 22 hectares of land for the future private development of much-needed housing for Hamilton.

Hamilton CBD Revitalisation update

Council is currently reviewing tenders to carry out the detailed design work for the Hamilton CBD Revitalisation project, with works planned to begin in the first half of 2024.

The project vision is to create a CBD that strengthens the town's heritage and character, expresses local creativity, and brings the community together.

If you would like to contribute an idea to this project, please go to our Social Pinpoint page.

Contribute your ideas to 24/25 budget

Do you have an idea for a project or initiative you feel should be included in the 2024/25 council budget?

We're encouraging residents to send us ideas before we start planning our draft budget for presentation to councillors.

Community ideas should align with the Council Plan 2021-2025 and submissions (link) close 31 January 2024 at 5pm.

Civic Events

Now until 14 April 2024
Emerging from Darkness - Faith, Emotion and The Body in The Baroque
Hamilton Gallery
*Special offer for shire residents: buy one ticket for unlimited entry*
www.darkness.hamitongallery.org

Friday 22 December, 2023
4pm - 7pm
Youth Pool Party
Hamilton Outdoor Pool
Free entry.

Career opportunities

Looking for a new career in 2024? We have the following opportunities available. Please click the links for more information.

Communications Officer

Coordinator Community Wellbeing

Council Support Officer

Facilities Maintenance

Occasional Care Services Educator

System Administration - Spatial and Assets

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Southern Grampians Shire Council · 111 Brown Street · Hamilton, Victoria 3300 · Australia