THE need for a year-round swimming pool and re-instating signature events such as the women’s professional tennis tournament and the Mount Gambier Gift race were among actions highlighted in a groundbreaking study into the city.
FORWARD THINKING: Elected members Allen Smith and Merv White welcome the release of a key visonary report by Mount Gambier City Council. Strategic project officer Tracy Tzioutziouklaris holds the blueprint at the Mount Gambier Library. Picture: SANDRA MORELLO
THE need for a year-round swimming pool and re-instating signature events such as the women’s professional tennis tournament and the Mount Gambier Gift race were among actions highlighted in a groundbreaking study into the city.
Considered a trail-blazing initiative by Mount Gambier City Council, the futures paper outlines a string of community goals, aspirations and actions.
The paper is considered a landmark document given the high level of community input into the process.
The document will be officially released today for public comment.
Other items on the public wishlist include more affordable air travel and the need for an investigation into express rail to Adelaide and western Victoria.
Mount Gambier Mayor Steve Perryman said the City Development Framework Project – which involved the development of the futures paper – aimed to ensure the city had a robust and planned approach to meet the current and future challenges facing the city.
“The project involved the development of overall strategies for development, incorporating economic, social, environment and community opportunities and aspirations,” Mr Perryman said.
He said this document was intended to be a whole community statement.
“Council plays a lead, but not a dominating role in developing and promoting the City Development Framework,” the mayor said.
“The futures paper will create the city’s direction and provide focus for action.”
Meanwhile, Cr Allen Smith – who has taken a lead role in the document – said the blueprint took many hours to craft after extensive public consultation.
“It is the first project where council has asked for the community to be involved – we have listened and asked the community,” Cr Smith said.
“This blueprint goes beyond five year plans, but way into the future.
“This is a different approach by a local government body in creating a long-term vision for the community.”
According to the 50-page report, the city needed to build on its people, location, diverse economy and climate.
“Mount Gambier is the economic hub for the region with the annual economy in the order of $6.8m, which is more than twice that of Whyalla and 25pc higher than Warrnambool,” the blueprint states.
“Clearly Mount Gambier is the regional centre of South East of South Australia and western Victoria with a role, function and responsibility of driving the development agenda in this corner of Australia.”
Some of the actions stemming from the report include the need to improve health services and volunteering.
More tangible suggestions include encouraging street parties, developing creative spaces for young people, boosting professional development and encouraging more activities for older residents.
The report also suggests welcoming new refugees to Mount Gambier, the need for excellence in public education, as well as the creation of an education and research hub.
Value for money air services between Adelaide and Mount Gambier was also a key issue raised by the community.
“Access is good, but airfare costs are seen as prohibitive for many residents,” the report states.
Meanwhile, residents also raised the need for shops to be open when major events were held in the city and pop-up markets across public precincts.