A member recently asked how she could best keep up with what is happening in the Surf Coast Shire. A modified version of AIDA’s reply follows.
There are a number of ways of keeping in touch. A main one is to monitor the Shire’s website, a great source of information about our community. This isn’t too time consuming but it does require you to check it at intervals. Members without internet access will have more difficulty but meetings can be attended and plans viewed at Shire offices.
- Planning Applications on Exhibition. This web page shows the plans and associated documents of each new planning proposal being exhibited by the Shire. It does not take long to pick out the local ones – and then all the info is readily available to you. Planning Applications on Public Exhibition
- Planning Committee. Agendas are posted on the Shire’s website the Friday before the Committee’s meeting on Monday. From the agenda you can determine the planning officer’s recommendation (often fully documented), the list of objectors and other relevant info. A few days later, the decision of the Planning Committee is posted. See http://www.surfcoast.vic.gov.au/My Council/Agendas_Minutes/Planning_Committee
- Council Meetings. Agendas and minutes are all available from January 2009 until the present date on this webpage. Council meetings are held on a Wednesday, generally late in the month. The agenda papers are complete except for material to be considered in camera. The Minutes containing decisions are posted a few days later. See http://www.surfcoast.vic.gov.au/My_Council/Agendas_Minutes/Council_Agendas_Minutes
- Councillors. And don’t forget that we have three local councillors who are very sensitive to and knowledgeable about community issues and are effective on our behalf.
And we hasten to add that AIDA keeps members informed with our website and newsletters – and increasingly with emails for important breaking news. Our members often give the organisation an early warning.
Our sister organisations Angair and Red Cross are also founts of community information.
Gary Johnson