Latrobe City Council acknowledges that it operates on the traditional land of the Brayakaulung people of the Gunaikurnai nation and pays respect to their Elders past and present.
Mayor’s Report
Looking back on what we have achieved in the last year gives me the opportunity to reflect on the acts of kindness, support and connection that bring our community together.
In the past 12 months, our community spirit has continued to shine through. Despite significant and varying challenges, our community has remained focused and committed to looking out for each other. Our community has so very much to be proud of.
This year marks the first year of reporting for our 2021-2025 Council Plan and Community Vision. Underpinned by a process that deepened our understanding of the community’s priorities, Council adopted its 10 year Community Vision, recognising our aspiration for being known as a smart, creative, healthy, sustainable and connected city and a representation of what our community values most. These aspirations translated to our 2021-2025 Council Plan, setting the scene for what we want to achieve in the next four years.
During the year, as we began to gather together once again, we continued our work in partnership with the Victorian Government, implementing the outdoor dining activations and other initiatives. This was an opportunity for Council to help guide local businesses through ongoing changes while encouraging the community to shop and spend time locally.
Latrobe City also supported the Victorian Government to establish COVID-19 vaccination sites throughout the municipality by making our community facilities available, providing advocacy regarding accessibility and encouraging participation. I am proud of the efforts sustained by healthcare, allied and broader industry support workers during the pandemic, this has been a clear demonstration of exceptional care by local people for local people in our community.
The warmers months saw opportunities to be outdoors and enjoy connecting with each other at community events including the International Rose Garden Festival Morwell. The AGL Night Light Installation was appreciated by many who enjoyed the opportunity to explore the garden and the festival offerings. I have had the pleasure of attending community events across our municipality, the majority of which were entirely volunteer run. We are very fortunate to have so many wonderful volunteers in Latrobe.
As the home of major events in the Gippsland Region, Latrobe City also hosted significant sporting events including an international-level tennis tournament, a pre-season AFL game, a national-level netball event and NBL and WNBL basketball games. Our local sporting organisations have also presented national and state level competitions, each bringing visitors to our region, supporting our local visitor economy at a time when it needed it the most.
I had the honour of joining Minister for Regional Development Mary-Anne Thomas, Member for Eastern Victoria Harriet Shing and Member for Gippsland Hon. Darren Chester MP to officially open the $42.1 million Gippsland Performing Arts Centre in March 2022. In the days following we lifted the curtain and opened the facility to our community for a four-day festival of performances and activations featuring local performers and well-known acts. The festival was a chance for our community to explore the new centre and celebrate what it has to offer.
Council welcomed the Victorian Government’s announcement that Gippsland would be a host region for the 2026 Commonwealth Games, which will be held across Regional Victoria. The Commonwealth Games presents an outstanding opportunity for our City to be featured on the world sporting stage, also creating visitor experiences and business participation opportunities while also leaving a legacy for our community through infrastructure investment.
Generating investment in our economy to support long-term employment outcomes continued to be the focus of our advocacy work. In the lead up to the May Federal Election, Council welcomed commitments from both the former and current government to progress local initiatives, including $10 million towards furthering Stage Two of the Gippsland Logistics Precinct and Opal’s Energy from Waste facility. Our work on our shared transition continues.
I extend my appreciation to our dedicated staff, led by the Chief Executive Officer, Steven Piasente, and to my fellow councillors for their commitment to strengthening Latrobe City and focus on getting things done. I remain grateful for the flexible and adaptive approach taken to ensure we stay connected and to taking a considered approach to supporting our Latrobe City community.
Council will continue to advocate for our community’s goals and needs. Guided by your aspirations, the Council Plan and Community Vision, we will continue to build on our achievements in 2021-22 to enhance our regional city’s liveability, economy and overall health and wellbeing.
Cr Kellie O’Callaghan
Mayor