Christmas Message from the Mayor
Christmas time is a special time of year. It’s a time for being with family and friends, spreading peace and goodwill, sharing and caring for others, and showing compassion for those less fortunate.
It’s also a time to reflect on our achievements and hopes for the year. It has been another great year for Victor Harbor with our city continuing to grow and develop. Every single member of our community plays an important role in making Victor Harbor the place it is – from our volunteers to business owners, seniors, students and families.
This year, there has also been significant change at council with the recent elections resulting in a new team of Elected Members to represent the interests of the community and ensure our council area continues to be the envy of many as one of the best places to live, work and play.
I acknowledge the work of the previous council and look forward to the next term with my fellow Councillors as we continue to work together with the community to capitalise on opportunities, strengthen relationships and achieve results for our city.
Our community is vibrant and growing, and there are many things to look forward to. By working together, the community and council can achieve great things and keep Victor Harbor moving forward.
On behalf of the Elected Members, senior management and staff at the City of Victor Harbor, I wish everyone a safe and happy festive season, and many happy returns for 2015.
Christmas Closure
The City of Victor Harbor’s principal office, library and depot will be closed from 3pm, Wednesday 24 December 2014 and will re-open as normal from Friday, 2 January 2015.
To report emergencies during the closure please contact (08) 8551 0500.
Have your say: Long Term Financial Plan and Asset Management Plans
The City of Victor Harbor is seeking your feedback on its draft Long Term Financial Plan and Asset Management Plans.
The draft Asset Management Plans set out how the Council intends to manage its key assets going forward while the Long Term Financial Plan draws from the Asset Management Plans and provides financial projections for the Council’s planned activities over a 10 year period.
Together, the Long Term Financial Plan and Asset Management plans intend to provide an assessment of council’s sustainability, levels of service, infrastructure maintenance and debt levels.
The plans are available online or can be viewed in hard copy at the Civic Centre during office hours.
Your feedback should be addressed to the City of Victor Harbor’s City Manager and returned:
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by email – localgov@victor.sa.gov.au
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by post – PO Box 11, Victor Harbor SA 5211
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in person – Civic Centre, 1 Bay Road, Victor Harbor
All feedback must be received by 5pm on Friday, 13 February 2015.
Fleurieu Regional Aquatic Centre
The preliminary design for the Fleurieu Regional Aquatic Centre was adopted by the City of Victor Harbor and Alexandrina councils at their respective meetings on 15 December 2014.
The next step for the project is the preparation of detailed construction plans, specification and documentation. Following this, tenders from suitably qualified companies will be sought for the construction of the facility and associated infrastructure.
The design of the aquatic centre was revised based on feedback from Elected Members, the project’s Community Reference Group and external subject matter experts consulted throughout this period. A change in design has occurred for a number of reasons relating to budget, predicted patronage, engineering requirements, building and planning approval requirements, and community feedback.
The latest cost estimate prepared by independent consultants indicates the project is valued in the vicinity of $20-21 million. However, there will be opportunities for further cost savings through value management processes and the construction tender.
Both councils have budgeted to contribute up to $6.5 million each to the project with $7.5 million in funding from the Federal Government’s Community Development Grants Programme and $500,000 from the State Government’s Community Recreation and Sport Facilities Program.
The new design perspectives, floor plan and further information about the Fleurieu Regional Aquatic Centre project can be viewed online or at the Civic Centre.
Centres Review Development Plan Amendment
Public consultation for the City of Victor Harbor’s Centres Review Development Plan Amendment (DPA) wrapped up on 8 December with a public hearing held in the Council Chambers.
The hearing was an opportunity for those who provided written feedback during the two month consultation period to speak further to their submission, if they nominated to do so.
The Centres Review DPA reviews the policies relating to the zoning for Neighbourhood Centres (shops and other community facilities) on three particular sites within the City of Victor Harbor council area.
The sites include the ‘Makris site’ on Waitpinga Road, the ‘Old TAFE site’ on Adelaide Road and an existing Neighbourhood Centre Zone and ‘Deferred’ Community Facilities Zone site on Waggon Road.
City of Victor Harbor Mayor Graham Philp, chaired the hearing at which 11 of the 161 people who made submissions used the opportunity to address the Council.
At the end of the hearing the Mayor provided a chance for people who didn’t make submissions during the consultation period to address the Council. Two people took up the offer.
Following the public hearing, Council will consider and analyse all submissions made relating to the Centres Review DPA, including the verbal presentations made at the public hearing. It will then have an opportunity to make variations to the DPA, if necessary, before submitting it to the Minister for his approval.
It is anticipated the City of Victor Harbor’s Centres Review DPA will be presented to the Minister in early 2015.
Find out more about the Centres Review DPA.
New Year’s Eve Celebrations at Warland Reserve
Victor Harbor’s New Year’s Eve celebration is set to be bigger and better this year with more than 10,000 people expected to bring in 2015 on Warland Reserve.
The People’s Choice Credit Union New Year’s Eve celebration involves a stellar line-up of entertainment with a focus on local talent and an earlier fireworks display sponsored by Girdler’s Family Amusements to cater for families with young children.
The festivities will kick off at 7.30pm with firework displays at 9.45pm and midnight.
Find out more about the event including event program, road closures and dry zone restrictions.
Next Council meeting
The City of Victor Harbor’s next ordinary Council meeting will be held on Tuesday, 27 January 2015 from 5.30pm in the Council Chambers, 1 Bay Road, Victor Harbor.
