Mayoral Matters January 2026
Published on 02 February 2026
I hope everyone had a great finish to 2025, and on behalf of Hindmarsh Shire Council - welcome to 2026. The Christmas and New Year break is always a wonderful opportunity to catch up with friends and family.
While we reflect on the anniversary of the Little Desert Bushfire, 2026 too has started with varying unwelcome and tragic events. Locally, the terrible fires impacting our close neighbours in Natimuk, floods in Lorne almost at the same time, and record heat waves across Victoria, have all tested the resilience of various communities state-wide.
The Australia Day Awards hosted in all four towns on Australia Day was a welcome contrast, with all four celebrations very well attended and highlighted by fantastic guest speakers. Thanks to the community groups who ran the events, it was a most enjoyable day and provided a wonderful opportunity to chat with our communities. Congratulations to all those who received awards on the day, they were all well-deserved. Council also held a citizenship ceremony last week, where we welcomed 3 new citizens to Hindmarsh Shire. Citizenship Ceremonies are always a wonderful experience to officiate as the Mayor.
Council recently hosted a presentation from IBAC, the Independent Broad-based Anti-Corruption Commission. It was good to have engagement with IBAC and get a better understanding of the perils of conflicts of interest when living and working as a Councillor in a small community.
Council also met with Wayne Street who presented around opportunities for the development of Industrial Estates in the towns. It is something that has been tossed around for a very long time and I believe needs to be progressed. It will be a long-term commitment. Wayne’s work will be of significant value to the beginning of the future.
On Wednesday 4 February 2026, Council will be holding a Council meeting. Alas, I will be an apology as I am taking a well-deserved break, but Council will be in good hands with Deputy Mayor Cr Barker chairing the meeting. Council has numerous reports this week including the Annual Report 2024/2025, quarterly update on the Council Plan Actions 2025/2026 and Planning Permits, along with an update on the 2025/2026 Capital Works program. A report updating the community on the progress of the Economic Development Strategy and a report on the implementation of the FOGO bin for Hindmarsh Shire will also be discussed.
Our Youth Council have an introduction and retreat this weekend to start off 2026, where they will learn leadership skills, get to know each other, and plan new events and activities for our youth to attend. I’ve said it before - the Youth Council and the young community members within Hindmarsh Shire are an important aspect of the community and they are our future.
Farmer consultations will begin in late February at various locations. Please come along with your thoughts, suggestions, and grievances where necessary. These meetings are essential to the planning of our maintenance and capital works program and budget deliberations. It is going to be difficult to do all the work that is needed and what should be done, however your input will help prioritise the focus.
Cr Ron Ismay
Mayor