A major issue is continued financial sustainability in the light of declining population and ageing infrastructure.

An Auditor-General’s Office report has highlighted this, predicting councils like ours will move into a high-risk category by 2020-21. More than 90 per cent of council’s income comes from rates and government grants. There are limited opportunities for our council to generate extra income to provide services and maintain facilities. We were all aware of this situation when began discussions regarding the preparation of the 2019-20 budget. However, some positive signs are emerging.

I attended a meeting at Sailors Home Hall on 6 February to meet a buyer’s group that is sourcing power from the 61 turbines at Murra Warra wind farm. All were happy with the project and looking forward to supporting stage 2 of the development, which would construct a further 55 turbines. All these turbines would be located in our shire, attracting payments in lieu of rates from the company.

The silo art trail has greatly boosted visitors to Yarriambiack Shire. A tourism destination management plan, commissioned by Wimmera Development Association, has acknowledged this. It has recommended a tourist officer be employed to promote the attractions available in the Wimmera-Southern Mallee region. Hopefully this will lead to longer stays and additional spending in our region.

We continually apply for state and federal grant programs that will assist with improvements to our facilities. In the past couple of weeks we have been notified we will receive $249,000 to resurface the floor at Warracknabeal’s leisure centre and $130,000 to assist with the refurbishment of Warracknabeal Town Hall. These developments will help us improve our financial sustainability.

On January 26, residents from the many towns in our shire came together for an Australia Day breakfast barbecue. As part of each town’s ceremony, recognition awards were presented to people to acknowledge their outstanding service and noteworthy achievements. This year, I attended Beulah’s breakfast to present Barb Moore with her certificate as Yarriambiack Shire’s Citizen of the Year. Barb has been active and passionate in her promotion of Beulah for many years, particularly as secretary of the Historic Learning Centre and Progress Association, and as a member of Yarriambiack Tourism Committee. 

The shire’s Young Citizen of the Year was awarded to Warracknabeal’s Lily Eldridge for her swimming achievements during 2018 and the Community Event of the Year went to Wheat City Derby Angels, who hosted the finals for the Statewide Stampede Roller Derby tournament at Warracknabeal’s leisure centre last September. Council congratulates all recipients.