AS we approach the festive season, I extend my warmest Christmas wishes to all members of our wonderful community. This time of year, offers us a moment to reflect on our achievements and look forward to the future with hope and optimism.
2024 has certainly been a remarkable year for our community, marked by significant milestones and progress.
One of our proudest achievements is securing $5 million in funding from the Federal government for Riverfront projects, which will breathe new life into cherished areas in our municipality.
This includes the replacement of the Pental Island Pedestrian Bridge, the Swan Hill Ten Steps, and the installation of a terrace wharf project in Robinvale.
Additionally, $650,000 of funding has been secured to plan the transformation of the Swan Hill CBD, and the State Government Regional Workers Accommodation Fund will enable the construction of 10 new townhouses on Council land in Robinvale.
Our continued advocacy and building strong relationships with the other tiers of Government is proving its worth.
Our commitment to improving infrastructure in the municipality has seen continued road upgrades, enhancing safety and accessibility, and sustaining the life of our assets.
This year alone, we have resealed 369,446m² of bitumen, repatched 13,023m² of asphalt, and graded 334 kilometres of sealed road shoulders, as well as maintaining our unsealed road network.
Additionally, the completion of the impressive River Viewing Platform and Boardwalk in March has provided a beautiful new space for residents and visitors to enjoy.
Major infrastructure projects are currently underway, including the redevelopment of the Art Gallery and the construction of the Swan Hill Tourism and Cultural Hub.
These initiatives are set to not only enhance our cultural landscape but also attract tourism and contribute significantly to the local economy. By this time next year, the Pioneer Settlement precinct will certainly look very different indeed!
A brand-new play space is on the way for our Robinvale community with the recent commencement of the Robinvale Nature and Adventure Play project.
Bringing new life to Centenary Park this is a key initiative from the Robinvale Riverfront Masterplan.
This year we supported the establishment of the Swan Hill Rugby Club. The initiative is the first of its kind for our region and supports our Pacific Islander seasonal worker community and of course, further enriches our community’s recreational offerings with plenty of locals getting involved as well.
In housing, we have made remarkable progress.
This year saw the release of Stage 15 at Tower Hill and the completion of four additional houses in Ronald Street, Robinvale. We also launched our ambitious goal of building 500 homes in five years.
The Housing Action Greater Swan Hill Committee has been endorsed to collaboratively drive these efforts forward, ensuring we meet our community’s growing needs. There is more work to be done, and Council is committed to enable housing development which allows our economies and communities to grow.
Our advocacy efforts have taken us to Canberra, where we continue to campaign for better community outcomes, not just for our municipality but also for the greater region through our collaboration with the Murray River Group of Councils.
This includes ensuring accurate population counts for Robinvale, securing support for overseas workers, enhancing housing availability, and developing new community infrastructure and transport links.
We remain dedicated in our pursuit of a new Swan Hill Bridge and supporting further stages of redevelopment for the Swan Hill hospital.
This year, we welcomed friends from Yamagata, strengthening our international relationships and unveiling a plaque at Yamagata Garden. We eagerly anticipate the recommencement of the Swan Hill – Yamagata student exchange in 2025 after the COVID interruption.
We also celebrated the Robinvale Centenary, showcasing our rich history and community spirit, and welcomed new citizens, celebrating the diversity and strength of our community.
We were honoured by a visit from the Governor of Victoria, Margaret Gardner AC, who toured facilities in Robinvale, Swan Hill, and the new silo art at Lake Boga, highlighting the importance of our region in the past, present and future.
Aside from projects and significant events, I would also like to acknowledge the efforts of our Council staff who just get on with the job of the day to day running of Council services.
In particular, the Parks and Gardens team keep our public land looking ship shape and I have received many complements from both locals and visitors about how great our towns are looking. I also thank the many community and service groups for their contributions.
As we celebrate this festive season, let us reflect on the achievements of the past year and look forward to the opportunities ahead.
There is so much to be excited about in 2025 with another $24 million worth of projects expected to be rolled out in the next 12 to 18 months, with more in the planning pipeline – it is an exciting time for our region.
May your Christmas be filled with love, joy, peace, and the warmth of family and friends. And remember, there is always some who are less fortunate so I encourage you, if you are able, to bless those who may be in need as well by donating to one of the many support agencies in our community.
I would also like to take this opportunity to thank the many volunteers in the CFA and SES who willingly give up their own valuable time to support our communities in emergencies and times of need. Let’s hope they are not required!
Thank you one and all for your contribution to our region, Merry Christmas and here’s to a prosperous and exciting 2025!
