Mayoral Report 2021-2022

Published on 09 November 2022

Cr Albrecht.jpg

It has been a privilege to serve as Mayor of Hindmarsh Shire Council over the last 12 months. It has been an interesting time to navigate given the COVID-19 pandemic was still spreading whilst the Victorian COVID-19 restrictions were decreasing. Council has been working closely over the year with the Grampians Public Health Unit to support communities during this time, whilst proudly maintaining services to the community.  This is a huge credit to the Council staff and they should be commended. 

It has been lovely to see our communities out and about, enjoying events as the restrictions have reduced over the year. A huge number of volunteers have hosted events in all our towns which have been an important way to reconnect with community and also bring tourists to Hindmarsh. A huge congratulations to the Wimmera Steampunk Festival organising committee that bought massive crowds to Dimboola in early 2022 for a unique and highly enjoyable weekend.  Hopefully it is the first of many!

Council proudly completed a number of major projects during the year. The official opening of the new Rainbow Library and redeveloped Jeparit and Nhill libraries provides all our towns with fixed library services in inviting spaces.

The Arkona silo and beautiful mural in Dimboola painted by the talented artist Smug have been a welcome attraction to Hindmarsh and these together with the Albacutya silo continue to bring tourists to the area. 

The funding and installations projects of cabins across our four towns are at different stages, but they are an exciting additional to the accommodation that we have provided to tourists who want to visit this special part of the world.

The Albacutya Bridge has been many years in the planning and the opening of the bridge has provided effective access for road users, particularly transport vehicles through all weather conditions.

The heavy rain season has presented an unusual challenge to our road projects and the full impacts and damage to our roads can only now be assessed. Council staff are working to prioritise the roads that need to be repaired prior to the harvest season. It is hoped that the rains will bring some welcome harvest yields across Hindmarsh and the prices will be rewarding for farmers.

Council is committed to effective communication with our community, and again throughout the year tried to enhance the ways in which residents can be informed of important information. Launching a new user-friendly website will enable internet users to locate important information as well as the enhanced events section, which can publicise community events. Council’s community newsletter grows in volume with both the fortnightly email version and monthly hard print copy covering a variety of topics for community members. Well done to the Council staff that manage all the Hindmarsh social media pages including Hindmarsh Shire Council, Hindmarsh Shire Youth Council, Hindmarsh Shire Libraries, Visit Hindmarsh and Nhill Cinema.  

On a personal note, it was a time of many firsts and I am extremely grateful to represent Hindmarsh on many occasions. Of particularly highlight was conducting the Australian Citizenship Ceremonies throughout the year. It is an honour to welcome these new citizens to our community.

Thank you to Deputy Mayor Brett Ireland who has kindly represented me at various events throughout the year. Thank you to my fellow Councillors for your support and commitment to Hindmarsh. Thank you to Greg Wood, Monica Revell, Jessie Holmes and all Council staff for the amazing work they do in trying to make Hindmarsh thrive.


Cr Melanie Albrecht
Mayor 2021-2022

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