I believe this is due to the dedicated and hard work of my fellow Councillors and our senior management team along with all staff, and Council will continue to maintain this high level of satisfaction for our community to the best of our ability.

Council's 2020-2021 Financial Budget was adopted at Wednesday's meeting.

With additional funding being allocated through the Federal Government Stimulus Package, we now have a full works program that allows us to bring forward projects that would not have been completed in this financial year. Also, we are now in the position to maintain all staff without any retrenchments.

READ MORE:

Council also adopted the Council Plan 2017-2021 Review and Strategic Resource Plan 2021-2024. Council will contact the new Local Government Minister the Hon. Shaun Leane MP and congratulate him on his new position and invite him to the Wimmera area.

Through the Working for Victoria program, Hindmarsh Shire Council will be employing 13 new fulltime employees for 6 months. This will allow Council to have additional works carried out throughout our four largest towns.

While we are having interruptions to our community and businesses through COVID-19, at this time we still have no reports of infection.

I urge you all to still maintain strict medical advice. "We need no reports." There is talk regarding the lifting of restrictions in non-virus areas, but this is in the hands of medical advice and the state government.

Rains continue to fall and our season, at this stage, is looking good.

With Local Government elections coming up quickly, please consider what you would like your representation and makeup of Council to be. Any Councillors or senior staff are available to seek more information.

Hindmarsh Shire is attending, in person, at our council meetings and is also live streaming the meetings on Facebook's Council page.

It is the intention of council to continue this transparent practice. Zoom meetings are the norm at all other functions, although not perfect, but does the job.

Again, I urge all of our communities to remain vigilant with COVID-19, heed medical advice and use common sense.