The Premier and Cabinet visit Victor Harbor
Earlier this week the SA Government held a Country Cabinet on the Fleurieu and Kangaroo Island.
The event was a great opportunity to showcase Victor Harbor and elevate local issues to the attention of the Premier, Ministers and Heads of Departments.
A forum event held in Victor Harbor on Monday night was attended by more than 200 people, and offered a chance for community members to ask questions of the Premier and SA Government Ministers. Issues discussed included the government’s plans to tackle the drug ice, mental health, bullying in schools, tourism, Granite Island and public transport.
Over the two days Cabinet was here in Victor Harbor, Ministers and SA Government staff visited a range of locations and facilities. Additionally, the City of Victor Harbor’s Mayor and CEO had an opportunity to make a brief presentation to full Cabinet jointly with counterparts from the District Council of Yankalilla.
Some of the key issues that the Council brought to the attention of the SA Government over the two days included:
- Reinvigoration of Granite Island and its importance to locals and tourism
- Sculpture project proposals for Granite Island
- Security of the future operation of the Horse Tram and Whale Centre
- The circular economy – maximising recycling opportunities through the establishment of a recycling centre south of Adelaide
- Establishment of an emergency services precinct in Victor Harbor on Armstrong Road
- Forward planning for Adelaide to Victor Harbor road infrastructure (via Mount Compass and via Hindmarsh Tiers)
- Coles/Bunnings/Aldi and infrastructure associated with these developments including intersection upgrades, footpaths, pedestrian crossings and slip lanes
- Torrens Road/Crozier Road intersection upgrade
- Long-term planning for maintaining the integrity of the Causeway.
A full report on the Country Cabinet event will be released by the Department of Premier and Cabinet within 90 days.
National Award for Victor Harbor Schoolies Festival Team
The Victor Harbor Schoolies Festival Team won the Local Government Professionals Australia Community Partnerships and Collaboration Award.
Competing against entrants from across the country, the Victor Harbor Schoolies Festival Team was the clear winner demomstrating outstanding collaboration across a large number of organisations including Encounter Youth, City of Victor Harbor, South Australian Police, SA Ambulance, Metropolitan Fire Service, St Johns, SA Health, Country Health SA, Safe Work SA, local accommodation providers, transport operators, educational institutions, liquor licensees, Motor Accident Commission, media and the local Victor Harbor community.
This is the second year in a row the City of Victor Harbor has recieved this Award, winning it with Alexandrina Council in 2016 for the Fleurieu Aquatic Centre project.
Congratulations to all the organisations that contribute to the running of this successful event!
Pictured: City of Victor Harbor CEO Graeme Maxwell with Encounter Youth CEO Nigel Knowles.
2017/18 Budget Update
Thank you to everyone who took the time to provide the Council with their feedback on the draft 2017/18 Annual Business Plan and Budget.
The public consultation period closed at 5pm on Tuesday, 6 June 2017.
Council will now consider the results for the public consultation at a Special Council meeting on Monday, 19 June 2017. This meeting will be held from 2pm in the Council Chambers and is open for the public to observe.
Following this meeting, the draft 2017/18 Annual Business Plan, budget and rating policy will be presented to Council for adoption at another Special Meeting scheduled for Monday, 3 July 2017 at 5.30pm.
Outdoor Dining and Street Trader Permit Policy
The Council has recently reviewed its Outdoor Dining and Street Traders Permit Policy, and is now seeking the community’s feedback.
The purpose of the policy is to outline a framework that provides the opportunity for businesses to apply to use the adjoining public footpath for outdoor dining or street trading.
In reviewing the policy, Council has aimed for it to give due consideration to statutory and best practice requirements for pedestrian safety, needs and movement, including those pedestrians with disabilities or special mobility needs.
You can view the draft policy and provide your feedback online at www.yoursay.victor.sa.gov.au/outdoordining.
Hard copies are also available from the Civic Centre at 1 Bay Road in Victor Harbor.
The public consultation period for the draft Outdoor Dining and Street Trader Policy closes at 5pm on Friday, 30 June 2017.
Victor Harbor Town Centre Traffic Movement Strategy
Council is seeking community feedback on its draft Town Centre Traffic Movement Strategy.
The draft strategy provides a framework that will allow Council to manage and strategically plan for traffic movement now and into the future.
The development of this strategy has been informed from data received through a community survey undertaken in December 2015.
You can view the draft Victor Harbor Town Centre Traffic Movement Strategy online at www.yoursay.victor.sa.gov.au/traffic-management.
Hard copies of the draft strategy and information about how you can have your say is also available from the Civic Centre.
The public consultation period for the Town Centre Traffic Movement Strategy will close at 5pm on Friday, 7 July 2017.
New digital art projection in the Mainstreet Precinct
On Monday night a new digital art projection was launched in the Mainstreet Precinct.
The art piece, which projects on to the façade of the Victa Cinema, was created by distinguished local artist, Margaret Worth.
Inspiration for the new digital projection was drawn from the results of the Council’s ‘What is it about this place!?!!’ engagement project which was undertaken in 2014. A selection of the key themes that emerged from community responses were depicted in Ms Worth’s moving projection and include images of Granite Island, The Bluff, the sunrise, whales and the Horse Drawn Tram.
The new art piece will be on display in the Mainstreet Precinct every night as the third piece in the permanent collection of projections.
Complete our ‘Buy Local’ survey for a chance to win!
Members of the community are encouraged to take part in a short consumer survey as a part of the City of Victor Harbor’s ‘Buy Local’ initiative.
The survey aims to assist local businesses learn more about consumer needs and expectations so that local offerings can better meet the needs of local consumers.
By completing the survey you will go in the running to win a tablet donated by Business Victor Harbor or one of 10 local shopping vouchers valued at $50 each (terms and conditions apply).
Complete the survey today.
Whale, hello there!
The 2017 whale watching season has well and truly started, with a number of sightings already reported along the Victor Harbor coastline.
The waters of Encounter Bay off the Victor Harbor coast have long been a favoured breeding ground for Southern Right Whales. In fact, last year there were two Southern Right Whale calves born in Encounter Bay.
The spectacular Victor Harbor coastline offers plenty of great vantage points for people wanting to catch a glimpse of these magnificent creatures. So far whales have been observed engaging in the common behaviours of loafing, breaching and blowing in local waters providing excellent whale watching opportunities for locals and visitors.
The SA Whale Centre also has a team of dedicated whale spotters operating all along South Australia’s coast who report sightings to the Centre. Last year around 250 whale sighting reports were made to the SA Whale Centre.
For the latest whale sighting information visit www.sawhalecentre.com.au or call 1900 942 597.
Next Council Meeting
A Special Council meeting relating to the preparation of the 2017/18 budget will be held on Monday, 19 June 2017 at 2pm in the Council Chambers.
An Ordinary Council meeting will be held on Monday, 26 June 2017 from 5.30pm in the Council Chambers.
