Help shape Baw Baw for the next four years

Published on 30 October 2024

Baw Baw Shire Council is now recruiting for approximately 40 community members to be a part of its new Community Panel, Baw Baw Voices, which will help shape Baw Baw for the next four years.

Baw Baw Voices will meet four times in March and April next year, to consider what Council’s priorities should be for the next four years and what outcomes these will bring. These priorities aim to make progress towards Council's Community Vision, which is for a Sustainable, Healthy, and Thriving Shire.  

Baw Baw Voices will develop a report based on their insights, which will be presented to Council and will contribute to development of the Council Plan 2025 – 29, as well as a suite of other strategic documents including the Municipal Public Health and Wellbeing Plan, Asset Plan, and Finance Plan.

Members of the Community Panel will gain insights into how Council works, the unique challenges facing Baw Baw and contribute their knowledge and lived experience, which will all add value to these new documents.

Panel members (aged 18 and above) will be randomly selected and be representative of a cross-section of the Baw Baw Shire community, reflecting different ages, ethnicities, backgrounds, and genders.

Baw Baw Shire Council Chief Executive Officer Mark Dupe said the members of Baw Baw Voices would get a unique opportunity to influence the future direction of their community through exploring priorities and sharing these with Council officers and Councillors.

“I really encourage anyone with a strong intertest in the future of our Shire to submit their interest to be on this Panel, as opportunities like this don’t always present themselves,” he said.

“The process will give members significant background into how Council works, our challenges and barriers, and how we can overcome these by working with our local residents.”

Expressions of Interest (EoI) will remain open until Sunday 8 December and can be made via the dedicated Shape Baw Baw hub on Baw Baw Connect at www.bawbawconnect.com.au/hub-page/shape-baw-baw

A list of Frequently Asked Questions, including information about what happens with the information you provide, your personal details, recruitment of the panel and reimbursement, can also be found on Baw Baw Connect.

For those who nominate but don’t get selected for the panel, and for anyone else wishing to share their thoughts on community priorities, an online survey will also open in November, until 7 February 2025.  

All contributions will go towards informing the development of the new draft strategic documents, which will be presented back to the community for review, prior to final endorsement at a future Council meeting.

To find out more or to sign up for the Baw Baw Voices Community Panel head to the Baw Baw Connect link at www.bawbawconnect.com.au/hub-page/shape-baw-baw