RCoW - How to spend money

Source: Wangaratta Chronicle - 21 Jan 08

Written by SALLY EVANS.

A $620,000 slush fund provided by the Federal Government was central to discussions held between Rural City of Wangaratta management and councillors at the weekend.

The planning workshop held over Saturday and Sunday was attended by all seven councillors and the five members of council’s corporate management team.

Rural city mayor Ron Webb said the three key items on the agenda were council’s induction manual for new councillors, the details and preferences for portfolios and the fate of a $620,000 grant announced by the Federal Government last year.

Cr Webb said a long list of projects were put forward for the one-off local community infrastructure program, which is aimed at supporting local economies and jobs during the global financial crisis.

"We looked at a scope of projects that met the criteria set by the government, plus some other local criteria that we applied, and discussed where they should sit as a priority," he said.

"The projects put forward offered a good geographic spread right across the rural city."

Cr Webb said the decision about the infrastructure funding would be made at a council meeting in Wangaratta next Tuesday, along with the allocation of portfolios.

Overall, Cr Webb said the workshop was invaluable in bringing new and incumbent councillors together and improving council’s working relationship.

"It was a great opportunity for the council team and corporate management team to bond together and to understand each other’s desires and goals," he said.