DRAFT: A copy of the draft Strategic Management Plan for 2012-16.
THE Tatiara District Council is now looking for public feedback following the release of its draft Strategic Management Plan (SMP).
Out for public consultation as of last Tuesday’s council’s meeting, the motion was carried that the SMP be released, with council enthusiastic to obtain community feedback.
Under public consultation policy, the draft plan (designed for 2012 to 2016) is required to go out to the public for a period of three weeks.
Once the three week consultation period is culminated, council will consider all views and recommendations as potential amendments.
Council has conducted several sessions in developing the draft strategic plan, which has evolved over time.
Commenting on the plan, manager corporate and community services Kingsley Green said “council have developed a strategic plan that is aligned with community expectations, and is integrated with both its 10 year long-term financial plan and, asset management plans.”
Mr Green said the SMP is about identifying what the key issues are, given council’s budget.
“Because Council can’t afford to do everything we need to priorities within the current budget to meet the current and future needs of the community,” he said.
One issue of concern Mr Green addressed for the plan was the projected ageing population in the Tatiara.
“Council recognises and appreciates that it has an opportunity in which to plan for this change in our population profile,” he said.
This includes an economic development policy which encourages a business environment that promotes stability, growth and investment within existing business.
It is also about attracting new business opportunities to complement the existing business environment.
By making the region an attractive place in which to visit and work will also encourage people to live and retire here.
“Keeping in mind that a strategic management plan is a fluid moving document, it is reviewed annually and on that base it can refl ect the changing nature of our community,” Mr Green said.
Council has six strategic objectives set for the SMP including: healthy, active, safe and engaged community, Infrastructure, Environmental Sustainability, Economic Development and Tourism, Arts, Culture and Heritage and Governance, Service Delivery and Organisational Efficiency.
With these objectives, council will implement them with a range of key priority strategies and actions that council will implement over the coming four years.
Mr Green encourages anyone concerned to visit council and personally address issues for the SMP.
For further information towards the SMP contact the Tatiara District Council on (08) 8752 1044 or visit their website.