TOWARDS2030 Good Government

Protecting our Natural Environment

Connecting our Region

Looking after our Community

Building a Strong Local Economy

Mid-Western Region Community Plan TOWARDS2030 COUNCIL’S VISION “A prosperous and progressive community that we are proud to call home” MAYORAL MESSAGE Cr Des Kennedy

The Mid-Western Region Towards Coupled with the significant agricultural 2030 Community Plan sets out the sector and increased tourism, this community’s vision for the future – presents not only unique challenges but where we are, where we want to be and also opportunities for us as a community. how we will get there. Our role as individual custodians, community organisations, industry, Mayor The plan represents an opportunity to business and government is to harness create and foster community based those opportunities. goals, values and aspirations – to drive a sustainable community that reconciles The Towards 2030 Community Plan has the economic, social, environmental and been developed following an extensive Cr Paul Cavalier Cr Esme Martens Cr Peter Shelley Cr Percy Thompson civic leadership priorities for the region. consultation exercise in which over 2,500 The Mid-Western is a modern and residents participated in varying forms. growing region. We continue to have It was your input that has forged the

Deputy Mayor strong growth in industry and direction of the plan, and it will continue population, driven by state significant to be a vision that we can all contribute development. towards.

Cr Sam Paine Cr Russell Holden Cr John O’Neill Cr Alex Karavas

/// PAGE 1 MID-WESTERN REGION

MAJOR TOWNS MAJOR AND CENTRES INDUSTRIES GROWTH The prosperous Mid-Western Region is located just 3½ hours (or 250km) from and offers a quality > > Agriculture > 6.2% population lifestyle in a dynamic economic environment. > Gulgong > Property Development growth since 2010 > Kandos > Viticulture > Continued growth Located in the Central West of NSW, the area covers > Rylstone > Mining driven by state approximately 9,000 square kilometres and has a > Tourism significant population of more than 24,000. > Retail Trade development ABOUT THE TOWARDS 2030 COMMUNITY PLAN

Towards 2030 Community Plan sets out where, as a community, Towards 2030 addresses four key questions for the community: we want to be in the year 2030. It is a future vision developed 1. Where are we now? collaboratively between the community and Council and represents 2. Where do we want to be in 2030? the aspirations of the people who live and work within the 3. How will we get there? Mid-Western Region and strategies for achieving these goals. 4. How will we know when we have arrived?

/// PAGE 2 HOW THE TOWARDS 2030 COMMUNITY PLAN LINKS TO COUNCIL’S PLANS The Resourcing Strategy consists of three components:

MMid-id-Western Region Long Term Financial Community Strategic Plan 1 Planning Towards 2030 Workforce Management 2 Planning Resourcing Strategy (Assets, people and Asset Management funds required) 3 Planning 2017 - 2027 The Delivery Program summarises the activities that Council has prioritised over a four year term to achieve the Towards 2030 Community Plan, Delivery Program including Council’s operations. 2017– –2 2021017 The Operational Plan includes a detailed budget of the activities that are to be undertaken each year to achieve the outcomes of the Delivery Program.

The Annual Report provides feedback to the community on Council’s Operational Plan 2017/18 progress in achieving the Delivery Program objectives.

Annual Report What have we achieved?

/// PAGE 3 HOW DOES THE TOWARDS 2030 COMMUNITY PLAN LINK IN WITH OTHER PLANS? NSW STATE PRIORITIES CENTRAL WEST AND ORANA The NSW Government has identified a range of state priorities which are aimed at making NSW even better in the future. These priorities REGIONAL PLAN align with the Towards 2030 Community Plan and include:

Strong Budget and Economy Better Services The Plan outlines the goals and actions for the Central West 1 Making it easier to start a 4 Improving Aboriginal and Orana Region to achieve a sustainable future. It applies to business; encouraging education outcomes; better 19 local government areas including the Mid-Western Region, business investment; boosting government digital services; covering an area of 125,666 square kilometres. apprenticeships; accelerating cutting wait times for planned major project assessment; surgeries; increasing cultural The vision for the Central West and Orana Region closely protecting our credit rating; participation; ensure on-time reflects the vision and priorities identified in the Towards 2030 delivering strong budgets running for public transport Community Plan. There are direct linkages between the goals and actions in both plans for the next 20 years. The four goals Building Infrastructure Safer Communities established by the Plan are: 2 Improving road travel 5 Reducing violent crime; reliability; increasing housing reducing adult re-offending; > A growing and diverse regional economy supply reducing road fatalities > A region with strong freight transport and utility infrastructure networks that support economic growth Protecting the Vulnerable > A region that protects and enhances its productive 3 Transitioning to the National agricultural land, natural resources and environmental Disability Insurance Scheme; assets creating sustainable social > Strong communities and liveable places that cater for housing the region’s changing population

/// PAGE 4 COMMUNITY CONSULTATION

The community played an integral role in the development and review of the Towards 2030 Mid-Western Region Community Plan with over 2,500 people taking part in a variety of consultation and community engagement activities.

The Community Engagement Strategy adopted by Council to inform this review of the Community Plan was based on social justice principles of equity, access, participation and rights and included a range of opportunities for people to become involved in the process. The review process included activities to inform, engage and consult the community over a 12 week period in 2016, including:

> Telephone surveys > Workshops > Online surveys > Direct mail > Community Roadshow > Permanent displays > Postcard exercise

Community engagement had a dual purpose to both create awareness and seek feedback on the goals and strategies identified in the Community Plan. This was achieved by asking people to consider what they like about the Region now, what they would like the Region to look like in the future and what they see as key priorities for Council to investigate.

Full details on the community consultation process undertaken in 2016 can be found in Council’s Community Engagement Strategy.

/// PAGE 5 WHAT OUR COMMUNITY WANTS

CONSULTATION OUTCOMES The results of extensive community Feedback was sought from the community consultation showed that we continue to on the range of services Council provides value: our friendly community, our country and satisfaction with existing service levels. lifestyle, our beautiful natural environment, 66% of residents indicated they were either the range of parks and facilities for all ages, satisfied or very satisfied with Council’s activities for youth, ongoing improvements performance. to our transport network and new job opportunities. Community consultation also identified a of residents would pay range of infrastructure projects as a priority more rates for a higher During consultation, the community was for the community. The top 20 priorities for level of service asked to consider how they would allocate the community include both new projects resources between the five key themes of and projects already captured in the the Community Plan. The results are Towards 2030 Community Plan. provided in the graph below. How the Community would allocate resources?

11% The 5 Key Themes 19% Looking After our Community Protecting our Natural Environment 19% overall satisfaction with Council services Building a Strong Local Economy 27% Connecting our Region 24% Good Government /// PAGE 6 LOOKING AFTER

GOAL A SAFE AND HEALTHY VIBRANT TOWNS AND EFFECTIVE MEET THE DIVERSE 1.COMMUNITY 2.VILLAGES 3.AND EFFICIENT 4.NEEDS OF THE DELIVERY OF COMMUNITY AND CREATE A SENSE INFRASTRUCTURE OF BELONGING 1.1 Maintain the provision of 2.1 Respect and enhance 3.1 Provide 4.1 Support programs OUTCOME1 STRATEGY high quality, accessible the historic character infrastructure and which strengthen community services that of our Region and services to cater the relationships meet the needs of our heritage value of our for the current and between the range Vibrant towns community towns future needs of of community and villages with 1.2 Work with key partners 2.2 Manage the impacts of our community groups and the community to mining operations in 4.2 Support arts a rich history, a lobby for effective health the Region and cultural safe and healthy services in our Region 2.3 Make available diverse, development across 1.3 Support networks, sustainable, adaptable the Region community, and program and facilities and affordable housing 4.3 Provide equitable which promote health options through access to a range a strong sense of and wellbeing and effective land use of places and community pride encourage healthy planning spaces for all in the lifestyles 2.4 Maintain and promote community – a great place for 1.4 Work with key partners the aesthetic appeal of families. and the community to the towns and villages reduce crime, anti-social within the Region behaviour and improve community safety

/// PAGE 7 LOOKING AFTER OUR COMMUNITY COMMUNITY INPUT > Be a local volunteer > Report safety and maintenance issues at > Make use of local facilities and services public parks, facilities, playgrounds and > Make sure your community group is buildings to Council listed in Council’s Community Directory > Be proud of your town and your street > Join one of the many community > Respect the heritage and culture of groups or organisations involved in others various community projects across the > Embrace a healthy lifestyle and get Region involved in local sporting and physical > Dispose of hazardous waste in approved activities locations

MEASURES > An increase in the proportion of new > An increase in the proportion of people housing stock that is affordable housing who are satisfied with infrastructure > Development is of a high quality in conditions and service levels keeping with the character of our towns > An increase in the proportion of people and villages who feel they have equitable access > An increase in the proportion of people to community services and facilities to who feel safe in our community meet their need > An increase in the number of > Improved playground and recreational community members participating facilities in community events, volunteering, > An increase in the proportion of activities and organisations community members who are > An increase in community participation satisfied with the range and quality of in sporting and recreational activities community and cultural facilities and opportunities /// PAGE 8 PROTECTING OUR

PROTECT AND ENHANCE PROVIDE TOTAL WATER LIVE IN A CLEAN AND GOAL 1.OUR NATURAL 2.CYCLE MANAGEMENT 3. ENVIRONMENTALLY ENVIRONMENT SUSTAINABLE WAY

1.1 Ensure land use planning 2.1 Identify and implement 3.1 Educate, promote and OUTCOME2 STRATEGY and management enhances innovative water support the community and protects biodiversity conservation and in implementing waste and natural heritage sustainable water usage minimisation strategies Conserving and 1.2 Minimise the impact management practices 3.2 Work regionally to promoting the of mining and other 2.2 Maintain and manage water implement strategies that development on the quantity and quality will enhance environmental natural beauty of environment, both natural 2.3 Protect and improve outcomes in regards to our region. and built catchments across the waste management and 1.3 Raise community awareness Region by supporting minimisation of environmental and relevant agencies 3.3 Support programs that biodiversity issues 2.4 Maintain and manage create environmental 1.4 Control invasive plant and waste water quality to meet awareness and promote animal species Environmental Protection sustainable living Agency (EPA) standards 3.4 Consider technologies 2.5 Provide a water and sewer in Council’s facilities, network that balances asset infrastructure and service conditions with available delivery to reduce our resources and community ecological footprint needs

/// PAGE 9 PROTECTING OUR NATURAL ENVIRONMENT

COMMUNITY INPUT > Continue to reduce, reuse, > Support and participate in Council’s recycle – minimising waste to landfill environmental programs and initiatives > Reduce consumption of energy and > Minimise water consumption fossil fuels, and consider alternative > Keep our waterways clean – the drain is resources just for rain > Take ownership of our natural > Educate each other on environmentally environment and protect it through sustainable living practices and reduce responsible practices our environmental footprint > Control invasive plant and animal > Dispose of rubbish properly, do not litter species on private property in streets and other public places

MEASURES > Reduced damage to our natural > Improved standards of water quality in environment from economic activities our waterways > A reduction in tonnes of waste to landfill > Meet Best Practice Management per capita Guidelines for Water Supply > An increase in the use of alternative > An increase in the use of alternative water sources energy sources

/// PAGE 10 BUILDING A STRONG

GOAL A PROSPEROUS AND AN ATTRACTIVE BUSINESS A RANGE OF REWARDING 1.DIVERSIFIED ECONOMY 2. AND ECONOMIC 3. AND FULFILLING CAREER ENVIRONMENT OPPORTUNITIES TO ATTRACT AND RETAIN RESIDENTS OUTCOME 3 1.1 Support the attraction and 2.1 Promote the Region as a great 3.1 Support projects that create new STRATEGY retention of a diverse range of place to live, work, invest and visit jobs in the Region and help to businesses and industries build a diverse and multi-skilled A prosperous 2.2 Provide leadership on economic workforce and diversified 1.2 Encourage the development of development initiatives a skilled and flexible workforce and identify resources and 3.2 Build strong linkages with economy to satisfy local industry and infrastructure required to drive institutions providing education, business requirements investment and economic training and employment delivering lifestyle growth in the Region pathways in the Region benefits to the 2.3 Support the expansion of community essential infrastructure and services to match business and through industry development in the employment, Region 2.4 Develop tools that simplify income and development processes sustainable and encourage high quality commercial and residential economic growth. development

/// PAGE 11 BUILDING A STRONG LOCAL ECONOMY

COMMUNITY INPUT > Shop locally to support our local > Attend and enjoy local festivals and economy events > Look for local job opportunities > Create opportunities for trainees, work > Promote the Region to friends and experience and apprenticeships visitors as a great place to live, work, invest and visit

MEASURES > An increase in the size of the local > An increase in the number of visitors labour force > An increase in the number of residents > Decreased unemployment > An increase in the proportion of > Increased economic activity in the community members satisfied with the region range of products and services available > An increase in available housing stock locally > An increase in the availability of educational offerings in the region

/// PAGE 12 CONNECTING

GOAL HIGH QUALITY ROAD EFFICIENT CONNECTION AN ACTIVE TRAVEL 1. NETWORK THAT IS SAFE 2. OF THE REGION TO MAJOR 3. NETWORK WITHIN THE AND EFFICIENT TOWNS AND CITIES REGION

OUTCOME 4 1.1 Provide traffic management 2.1 Develop a regional network in 3.1 Develop and enhance STRATEGY solutions that promote safer partnership with government walking and cycling networks Linking our towns local roads and minimise agencies, that grows with across the Region traffic congestion the needs of residents and 3.2 Support viable public and villages and businesses 1.2 Provide a roads network that transport options across the connecting our balances asset conditions 2.2 Create a communication Region region to the rest with available resources and network that services the of NSW. community needs needs of residents and businesses

/// PAGE 13 CONNECTING OUR REGION

COMMUNITY INPUT > Report safety and maintenance issues > Use alternative transport as available for roads and footpaths to Council > Always drive safely and to the > Lobby the State Government for conditions of the roads improved transport links

MEASURES > An increase in the proportion of > An increase in the average condition of community members who are satisfied road surfaces with road conditions > An increase in the take up of > An increase in the availability of technologies to support lifestyle and viable and affordable public transport economic activities options > Improved mobile and broadband > Increased access to and usage of coverage across the Region shared pathways

/// PAGE 14 GOOD

GOAL STRONG CIVIC GOOD AN EFFECTIVE 1. LEADERSHIP 2. COMMUNICATIONS 3. AND EFFICIENT AND ENGAGEMENT ORGANISATION

5OUTCOME 1.1 Provide clear strategic 2.1 Improve 3.1 Pursue excellence in STRATEGY direction through communications service delivery the Community Plan, between Council and A strong 3.2 Provide a positive and Delivery Program and the community and supportive working Council that is Operational Plan create awareness of environment for Council’s roles and representative of 1.2 Provide accountable employees responsibilities our community and transparent 3.3 Prudently manage decision making for the 2.2 Encourage community and effective risks associated with all community access and in meeting the Council activities participation in Council 1.3 Provide strong needs of the decision making 3.4 Pursue efficiencies representation for the and ongoing business community. community at Regional, improvement State and Federal levels

/// PAGE 15 GOOD G O V E R N M E N T

COMMUNITY INPUT > Talk to your Councillors about ideas > Provide feedback on public exhibitions and suggestions for improving Mid- of policies, strategies, plans and Western Regional Council community projects > Attend Council meetings > Participate in community surveys > Read Community News and keep up > Make use of Council’s website to date with Council activities MEASURES > Compliance with the Office of Local > An increase in the percentage of Government’s ‘Promoting Better correspondence and other contact Practice’ Program acknowledged and completed with > An increase in the proportion of 14 days community members who are satisfied > An increase in the proportion of with the provision of information by community members who are satisfied Council with the customer service provided by > An increase in the percentage of Council service requests completed within > An increase in overall staff satisfaction established timeframes and wellbeing > Meet Fit for Future requirements

/// PAGE 16 FURTHER READING

INTEGRATED PLANNING AND REPORTING TOWARDS 2030

> Community Engagement Strategy > Workforce Management Strategy > Asset Management Strategy & Policy > Asset Management Plans — Roads, Bridges and Footpaths — Buildings and Facilities — Water Supply Infrastructure — Sewerage Treatment Infrastructure — Stormwater Drainage — Waste Management Facilities > Delivery Program and Operational Plan > Annual Report

Head to www.midwestern.nsw.gov.au to find the above suite of documents, as well as Council policies, strategies and financial reports.

/// PAGE 17 AND REFERENCES

EXTERNAL LINKS CONTACT US > NSW State Priorities > Phone us www.nsw.gov.au/improving-nsw 1300 765 002

> Draft Central West and Orana Regional Plan > Email us www.planning.nsw.gov.au [email protected]

> Office of Local Government > Visit us www.olg.nsw.gov.au Mudgee 86 Market Street (Integrated Planning and Reporting) Gulgong 109 Herbert Street > Mid-Western Community Engagement Strategy Rylstone 99 Louee Street www.midwestern.nsw.gov.au

/// PAGE 18 Mid-Western Regional Council | 86 Market Street (PO Box 156), MUDGEE NSW 2850 | T: 02 6378 2850 | E: [email protected]