Welcome to the Manning Valley Community Plan Online Consultation

The discussion paper has considered a number of issues and future directions for our community, but at the heart of these discussions is one central message:If we are to move forward as a community, to be vibrant and sustainable in the future, we need to invest more heavily in our local infrastructure.

Without this investment, our roads, bridges and other important community assets will continue to decline. At present, some 23% of the city's infrastructure is at the point of needing major repair or replacement. In another 10 years' time, that figure will have increased to 46% and by 20 years, read more  …

The discussion paper sets out "The Big Four" emerging themes from the first round of consultation for the 20 year Manning Valley Community Plan. These included:

Respecting our environment;

Fixing our roads and bridges;

Providing employment opportunities; and

Building a sense of hope and pride

Refer to pages 32 to 34 in section three of the discussion paper relating to fixing our roads and bridges.

Key themes include: what is the backlog, why our roads are deteriorating, what's happening with our bridges, what's happening with our other assets, what can be done to fix our roads, increasing investment, improving techniques and improving planning.

Our infrastructure backlog is a critical issue at $170 read more  …

In preparing the discussion paper, Council looked at three broad directions that the community might take in addressing our infrastructure problem over the next 20 years. Because it is difficult to do detailed financial models for 20 years, these directions focus in more detail on the first 10 years.

Infrastructure backlog: A critical issue

The infrastructure backlog facing the Council and our community is a critical one. The backlog, as determined by Professor Percy Allan on his review of Coucnil's sustainability in Jabuary 2009, now stands at $170 million and growing annually at $20 million.

This backlog has occurred over a number of read more  …

The discussion paper sets out "The Big Four" emerging themes from the first round of consultation for the 20 year Manning Valley Community Plan. These included:

Respecting our environment;

Fixing our roads and bridges;

Providing employment opportunities; and

Building a sense of hope and pride

In terms of building a sense of hope and civic pride, one of the strongest messages to emerge from the first round of community engagement for the plan was that people wanted to be proud of where they live.

There was a strong sense of community within the Manning and residents wanted to see it preserved and enhanced. People particularly identified read more  …

Greater Taree City Council is preparing a long-term plan for the future of the Manning Valley.

Following an extensive round of community engagement held earlier this year, Council is now going back to the community for another round of discussion, this time asking residents how much they are prepared to invest to achieve their aspirations and address the Valley's growing infrastructure problem.

To open the community conversation, Council has released a discussion paper on key issues and options for the future. The document is based on the first round of community discussions, earlier this year, where resients outlined their pritoities and aspirations for the next 20 years. It also looks at the valley's infrastructure issues and the level of funding that will be required to fix our ailing roads, bridges and community facilities.

The discussion paper and a summary document are available in the library of this online consultation. Also available here is Professor Percy Allan's report on Council's infrastructure (released in January 2009) and a series of fact sheets on Council's infrastructure backlog.

The discussion paper sets out "The Big Four" emerging themes from the first round of consultation for the 20 year Manning Valley Community Plan. These included:

Respecting our environment;

Fixing our roads and bridges;

Providing employment opportunities; and

Building a sense of hope and pride

In terms of providing employment opportunities,the future of our community will depend on our capacity to build a strong, broad-based local economy.

There are a number of growing trends within our local economy. These include:

An increase in service industries, particularly knowledge-based industries;

An increase in retail trade;

A higher proportion of employment in health and community services;

A stronger trend towards home-based business.

Refer to section three of the discussion paper on pages 35-37 regarding issues and options arising from the first round of consultation in respect to employment opportunities covering the topic areas of finding the right balance, strenghtening what we have, capitalising on opportunities and strategies for moving forward.

1. WHAT ACTIONS DO YOU THINK COUNCIL COULD TAKE TO STRENGTHEN EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES IN OUR LOCAL AREA?

2. WHICH INDUSTRIES AND WHAT TYPE OF JOBS SHOULD BE TARGETED FOR OUR FUTURE?

3. WHAT IDEAS DO YOU HAVE FOR PROMOTING OUR AREA'S ADVATANGES AND OPPORTUNITIES?

The discussion paper sets out "The Big Four" emerging themes from the first round of consultation for the 20 year Manning Valley Community Plan. These included:

Respecting our environment;

Fixing our roads and bridges;

Providing employment opportunities; and

Building a sense of hope and pride

In terms of respecting our environment, Manning residents have sent a strong message that they value the environment and want it protecxted. There are a number of key directions that we can take over the next 20 years. Page 29 to 31 in section three of the paper outlines aspirations and ideas received from the community during the first round read more  …

This discussion paper document forms a starting point for the second round of discussion about the 20-year plan for our community.

Council started the planning process earlier this year, after releasing the findings from professor Allan's study on our finances and infrastructure. We also held a round of community discussions in May-June this year, about our aspirations for the future. This document contains the results of those discussions and suggests some directions for the future. It also includes some options on how we can invest in our future and provide the resources for things we need.

There are three sections in the discussion paper. The first section looks at where we are now and is provided as background information.

The second section looks at the results of the community discussions we held earlier this year - the things that people said they valued for the future of the Manning Valley.

The third section looks at some of the directions we might take to achieve these things.

The first phase of the community engagement program has captured a wide range of views and aspirations for the community, but there is one strong feeling that emerges from the many meetings and discussions - people love the Manning Valley and believe in its future.

Those who took the time to respond to the program were reasonable and realistic in their views. There were no "wish lists" or way out schemes - people asked simply for the things that were important to community life and important to their future.

There were four main messages that emerged from the consultation process:

Respect for the read more  …

On page 38 in the discussion paper the topic of partnerships and volunteering is raised.

At present, there are a number of organisations and agencies working together to provide services and support to our community.

However, there are also sections of our community who would like to contribute to building a better future, but don't know how to be involved - members of the corporate sector who would like to provide support, residents who would like to volunteer their time to help others.

To move forward, we need to provide opportunities for a variety of community members to work together in meaningful partnerships. read more  …