Funding for Play Space Strategy and IT upgrades secured

Published on 09 June 2022

Central Goldfields Shire Council has recently secured two streams of funding for key projects.

Thanks to the Victorian Government’s 2021-2022 Local Sports and Infrastructure Fund, Council has secured $30,000 to develop the Central Goldfields Shire Play Space Strategy – following a grant application.

Council has also welcomed the Victorian Government announcement that it will share in $500,000 for new financial management, rates and property and customer relationship management technology – following a joint funding application with Pyrenees Shire Council.

The funding is through the Rural Councils Transformation Program (RCTP) which is focused on helping rural councils collaborate and innovate, as well as implement new digital solutions that improve council service for rural communities.

Central Goldfields Shire Mayor Councillor Chris Meddows-Taylor said it was wonderful to hear both funding applications have been successful.

“As a rural Council, external funding to deliver projects such as the Place Space Strategy and IT improvements is critical.

“The Play Space Strategy will provide a strategic framework to guide Council in the development and management of play spaces and identify the community’s vision for contemporary play spaces.

“The Strategy will also address the community want for a Splash Park in the Shire. Recently the Maryborough Major Reserves Master Plans project identified a potential location for the Splash Park – which has promoted much community interest.

“As part of the development of the Strategy, a separate, detailed piece of work will be undertaken by Council in collaboration with the local community to arrive at a final set of options and recommendation for the best possible site.

“Information gathered through the Recreation Master Plan project, including community feedback will help to inform this piece of work.

“We are equally as thrilled to welcome funding to make some much-needed upgrades to our customer request and finance systems. It’s also wonderful we’ve been able to collaborate with and strengthen our relationship with our neighbours at Pyrenees Shire Council to make this happen.”

Further information:

Play Space Strategy

The development of the Play Space Strategy is a key outcome of the ‘Active Central Goldfields’, Recreation and Open Space Strategy 2020-2029 (ROSS) adopted by Council in September 2020.

The development of Council’s Play Space Strategy will provide a range of opportunities, including:

• providing access and participation opportunities for everyone including children with disabilities, parents/ carers who have disabilities and need to accompany their children, teenagers, LGBTIQ+ people, adults, older adults

• change community perceptions of playgrounds in the shire being for younger children and

• provide the opportunity for new and innovative ways to activate play spaces including intergenerational participation. Council will also contribute $39,375 to support the development of the Strategy.

RCTP funding

The RCTP funding is part of a partnership model to implement new technologies that will provide both community and organisational benefits.

Both councils have committed to the introduction of common systems to be implemented to deliver a range of benefits including:

• Common processes for both councils staff across new technology systems

• Common online experience for community members across both Councils

• Standard online experience for cross-border businesses, contractors, and community • Reduced number of vendors to provide services

• Able to incorporate into each councils Business Continuity Plans response to support the other in the event of a major impact to systems and services delivery

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