By BEN CAMERON
CARDINIA Shire Council will seek to re-engage the community next year by holding three of its next 12 meetings away from its new civic centre home in Officer.
Council will close out the year with its final ordinary meeting at the Gemco Theatre in Emerald on Monday, 15 December.
Meetings will also be held Kooweerup Community Centre on 16 March, and the 15 June meeting at the Pakenham Hall.
Council held its first ever meeting at the new Officer civic centre on Monday night.
Ranges Ward councillor Tania Baxter hoped council would be more accessible to the community by the move.
“It’s very exciting bringing the council to the community,” she said.
“I guess it’s a bit like bringing the Mountain to Mohammed?”
Council held its last ever meeting at the old shire buildings in Henty Way last Monday.
Meanwhile newly elected Cardinia Shire mayor Leticia Wilmot has committed to regular meetings with Shire of Casey mayor Mick Morland to improve its pull with the future state government.
In a nomination speech for the mayoral position last Monday night, Central ward Cr George Blenkhorn said he and Casey mayor Mick Morland had agreed to meet monthly for a coordinated advocacy approach for major projects which would benefit both regions.
Cr Blenkhorn feared council would lose the ear of the state government, with Labor expected to win power on 29 November but Liberal members holding the seats of Gembrook, Bass and Narracan.
“There is a lot of value in that (idea),” Cr Wilmot said.
“I will pursue it.
“I already have had discussions with the CEO through the tourism advisory committee for the shire.”
She anticipated monthly meetings with mayor Morland.
