Indigo Informer - Indigo Shire Council

Behind the ScenesTraining scheme wins a national awardA regional training scheme revamped andadministered by Indigo Shire Council hasreceived the award for RegionalCollaborations (small councils) category atthe National Awards for Local Governmentin Canberra.The award was for the North East RegionalDevelopment Scheme (NERDS), whichIndigo administers on behalf of 11regional councils and a water authority.Indigo Chief Executive Brendan McGrathwas in Canberra to accept the award.“This award is a fantastic honour. It tellsme that our staff who run this scheme onbehalf of our council and the othermembers are among the best, and that weachieve great things when we worktogether,” Mr McGrath said.“This training scheme ticks boxes for all itsmembers. About 18 months ago,members agreed Indigo should coordinatethe scheme and our staff thenput a cohesive structure in place toco-ordinate training for members – theNorth East Victorian Councils of Alpine,Ross Smith is the newly appointedEconomic Development Officer. Ross hasworked in economicdevelopment for anumber of years,previously with AlpineShire and the RuralCity of Wangaratta.Ross is alsoexperienced inbusiness andunderstands thechallenges in IndigoShire having owned and RossSmithoperated theYackandandah Holiday Park for six years.“Council has a new strategy in place thatwill underpin our approach to economicdevelopment. This will involve initiativesto help businesses be sustainable andachieve their plans for growth in additionto creating the right environment toattract new investment.”Will Rickwood has been with the team for12 months and was recently appointed tothe Business Development Officer role.“I’m focused on maintaining our role as afirst point of contact for new and existingbusinesses and expanding businessdevelopment programs.”CEOBrendanMcGrathandOrganisationalDevelopmentManagerFionaShankswiththeaward.Benalla, Indigo, Mansfield, Murrindindi,Moira, Shepparton, Strathbogie, Towong,Wangaratta, Wodonga, and North EastRegion Water Authority,” Mr McGrath said.The award follows the award Indigoreceived in November 2011, the John JagoGood Governance award, for the processused to develop the Council’s 2030 Visionproject.Team hits the ground runningThe Economic Development team canhelp by providing:• support to existing businesses throughtraining and networking opportunities• assistance to existing businesseswishing to expand• support to prospective and existingbusinesses with business planning• connection to the local community andeconomy• links to local, state and federalgovernment departments• economic and demographic statistics• access to mentoring and referral tobusiness support agencies• sourcing fundingopportunities.Please contact theteam if you have anybusiness or economicdevelopmentenquiries.Email indigoshire@indigoshire.vic.gov.auattention to ‘EconomicDevelopment’ or phone1300 365 003 or03 5728 8000.WillRickwoodNew community focusOver the past three years 13communities across Indigo Shirehave created their own communityplans setting out their priorities fordeveloping their communities. TheCommunity Strengthening Projectthat drove this process came to anend at the end of June.However, this also marked a newphase of front-line Council supportfor communities.A slight reshuffle of staff has resultedin the establishment of a CommunityDevelopment Team, which can alsooffer support to communities.This team is led by Chris Westwoodwith support from Scott Landells andincludes Susan Reid (Arts andCulture), Sandra Forrest (Early Years),Loretta Caunt (Rural Access) andAnnette Walton (Youth).Joining forcesThe communities of Allans andOsbornes Flat have come together todevelop a joint Community Plan. Thekey priorities are walking and cyclingtrails linking to surrounding towns(eg Yackandandah, Osbornes Flat,Allans Flat and waterhole as well asto Albury-Wodonga), refurbishingAllans Flat Tennis Club, andcontrolling weeds – English Broom,St John's Wort and Blackberries.For further information on how youcan become involved in yourCommunity’s projects email ScottLandells on slandells@indigoshire.vic.gov.au or call 1300 365 003.Page 2 Indigo Informer August-September 2012