What do you think are the most important priorities for this council over the next four years?

(Answers restricted to 120 words or less)

John Harvey

• Provision of basic services.

• Maintain and improve infrastructure.

• Careful financial management.

• Control rates and charges.

• Minimise “red tape”.

• Safeguard democratic values and freedom of expression.

• Trade on existing strengths, stop trying to “invent” new ones.

• Lobby for improved transport links.

• Promote sensible environmental policies.

• Govern for all residents not just a favoured few.

• Encourage community involvement.

• Trust people to just “get on with it”.

Bernard Gaffney

We need to remain sustainable and advocate for our communities to the best of our ability to both state and federal governments. Other priorities include to promote ambulance response times, support buy-local and more childcare facilities and to ensure Indigo Shire Council remains poker machine free.

Scott Landells

Valuable groundwork has been laid in recent years in placemaking and resilience planning. Each of these researched plans have key priorities, so working to implement these projects is a focus.

I’m keen to explore opportunities offered by:

● the Rutherglen Wine Loop;

● the recent National Heritage Listing of the Beechworth Historic Precinct;

● developing a plan for Council’s 2021 Chiltern land purchase; and

● the creation of a new Economic Development Strategy.

I’ll push for the return of monthly community forums as an opportunity to work closer with the local community.

We face challenges maintaining aging infrastructure as well as coping with climate change impacts. Working closely with our community in addressing these challenges will be a focus.

Roberta Horne

As always, we must invest in safe, serviceable and essential infrastructure to address the challenges we face catering for not only significant changes in our demographics but also the evolving environmental impacts within our homes, lives and businesses. As a consequence, I’d like to see the repair and maintenance of our road and drainage networks and affordable, age-appropriate accommodation at the very top of the shire’s action list.

Greg Bourke

The main issue in Kiewa-Tangambalanga is a new home for the Men’s Shed. We need a cost-effective solution to relocate it and move forward with the Kiewa River access project. Another priority is the Tangambalanga Streetscape project, which aims to enhance Kiewa East Road as outlined in the Master Plan. In Rutherglen, the focus is on upgrading Main Street to ensure it’s safe and welcoming for everyone. We want a vibrant thoroughfare where locals and visitors feel comfortable, and businesses thrive.

Across the shire, it’s important to support our farming residents who want to stay close to family and friends as they retire. We need innovative planning solutions to provide affordable housing, so they can remain part of our community.

Emmerick Teissl

As Indigo Shire grows it is important to remain dedicated to preserving heritage, infrastructure and the values of the community. Agriculture is a key sector in Indigo Shire, offering significant employment opportunities. However, many senior farmers do not have a succession plan, which puts them and their families at risk to vulnerabilities. Providing a voice to farming families so they can remain on their land longer, is crucial for successful succession planning. I will continue to advocate for farmers so they can plan for their legacy before necessity dictates. Together, we can collectively redefine the concept of aging safely on the farm, whilst giving our seasoned farmers opportunities to achieve fulfilment and share wisdom with the next generation.

Diane Shepheard

These are some of the issues and actions that are a priority for me:

• A lack of housing which is affecting our young people, families and businesses

• Mitigating and adapting for a changing climate

• Creating cooler, greener spaces in our less treed areas

• Supporting and advocating for childcare, early education and health systems

• Planning subdivisions and housing that is respectful of our rural communities and environment

• Prioritising needs fairly across the shire, within tight budgetary restraints

• Creating and maintaining transport connections from town to town

• Supporting community lead initiatives

• Engaging and communicating with the community about council actions and plans

• Making informed and educated decisions that lead to better outcomes for Indigo Shire residents

Graham Parton

My main priority would be good governance, which covers things as varied as having clear objectives, the means to address these objectives, and systems in place to meet them in the most efficient, sensible, and productive way. Our changing climate is having an impact on the communities of Indigo, and we need to respond to this in a variety of ways. Some progress has already been made in this area, but it will continue to be a major concern to the community and will require a response and leadership from the council. To that end I would encourage and support moves to reduce our dependence on climate damaging processes such as coal and gas use, and inefficient house design.

Jane Dowsley

• Community Engagement: Strengthening communication channels to ensure residents and businesses are heard and involved in decision-making processes.

• Infrastructure: Maintaining and improving essential infrastructure—such as roads, parks, and public facilities—to enhance accessibility and overall community livability.

• Economic Growth: Especially during challenging economic periods, prioritising sustainable population growth, boosting tourism, and attracting investment to create jobs and drive economic growth.

• Cultural Heritage: Celebrating and preserving our rich local history, while balancing it with future growth and development.

• Environment: Protecting, championing and promoting our natural resources, ensuring ongoing sustainability.

Lisa Turner

The focus over the next four years should be to prioritise sustainable economic growth through supporting local businesses, investing in new infrastructure and essential services like healthcare, aged care, childcare and mental health supports which are all critical for community well-being, along with fostering social connectivity and a stronger sense of community. Protecting the natural environment and waterways and promoting sustainable practices which are key to preserving the region for future generations, while mitigating the impact of climate change. Upgrading roads, public transport, waste and community facilities to meet the needs of a growing population. Lastly, maintaining transparent and accountable governance, including open communication and community engagement, this will build trust and confidence within the community.

Sophie Price

The next four years are crucial. We hear loud and clear from our communities about the need to go back to basic infrastructure, roads, footpaths and community facilities. The next council will have to demonstrate these as priorities, whilst also striving for more aspirational projects. To continue to see our communities grow and leverage the assets that they have to draw tourists to visit us and support our businesses, and to encourage more people to live in our communities.