Shape Baw Baw for the next four: Community Survey

The community survey is now closed, thank you to everyone who had their say - your feedback will help shape Baw Baw for the next four years!

This survey is designed to give Baw Baw Shire community members the opportunity to offer their thoughts, ideas, and priorities.

All contributions will go towards informing the suite of new documents being developed after the 2024 Councillor elections, including the draft Council Plan.

So, whether you've lived in the Shire for a long time, or you have only just called it home, we want to hear from you! Let’s work together to plan our future.

What is the Council Plan?

The Council Plan is a four-year roadmap that sets out and guides Council’s strategic direction, objectives, and projects, all of which represent the work that Council does for the community.

The Council Plan is developed in the first year of a Council term and is then reviewed and updated annually to set the organisation’s strategic agenda for the next 12 months as we strive towards delivering the Community Vision.

The foundation of the Council Plan is built upon the pillars of the Community Vision. These pillars - Sustainable, Healthy, and Thriving - drive everything Council does.

Why is the Council Plan being updated?

Council is seeking insight from the community regarding the things that are important over the next four years to progress towards the Community Vision.

Under the Local Government Act 2020, local government areas must adopt or review a Community Vision within a minimum lifespan of 10 years and develop a four-year Council Plan based on its deliberative engagement practices.

Your feedback will go towards checking-in on the Baw Baw Shire Community Vision developed in 2021, and it will help to identify our priorities and outcomes for the next four years, ensuring that the needs of the community are addressed.

What is the current Community Vision?

The current Baw Baw Shire Community Vision was adopted in 2021 and outlines the community’s aspirations for the future of the region, with a 20+ year timeframe. It was developed by a community panel and includes the following pillars:

• Sustainable towns and villages that continue to benefit from our beautiful rural and natural environment.
• Healthy and well people, living in safe, connected communities, and healthy environments.
• Thriving, diverse, and resilient communities.

What are the strategic documents this feedback will be shaping?

• 2025-35 Community Vision
• 2025-29 Council Plan
• 2025-29 Municipal Public Health and Wellbeing Plan
• 2025-29 Revenue and Rating Plan
• 2025-35 Asset Management Plan
• 2025-35 Finance Plan
• 2025-26 Annual Budget

These plans guide the work of the organisation with the aim of making progress towards the Community Vision.

You can find the current adopted versions of these plans in the 'important documents' section on the righthand side of the page.

Community engagement

The community were invited to make their thoughts and ideas count during the community engagement period from 29 November 2024 until 7 February 2025.