Now is the time to speak up, with submissions for the town’s next five-year community plan currently open.
Mooroopna Community Plan Steering Committee chairperson Rowan Farren-Parnell said you did not have to live in Mooroopna to have a say.
“We’re inviting community, not just from Mooroopna, but those who have interest in Mooroopna, whether you’ve got family there, whether you’re a visitor, whether you work there, have a business there, whatever it may be,” he said.
“If you’ve got a passion and a connection to Mooroopna, we want to hear from you.”
The six-week consultation period opened on March 18 and will close at midnight on May 3, before a report is compiled by the end of June to be endorsed by Greater Shepparton City Council and revealed to the public.
Aside from key issues that carry over between each half-decade plan, such as disaster preparedness, resilience, infrastructure and the McLennan St redevelopment, which has been in discussion for 11 years, there are other pressing issues on the table for the upcoming plan.
“One of the priorities I’ve got is on the bus review,” Mr Farren-Parnell said.
“Personally, I feel like having accessible public transport is one of the biggest things we can give to a growing region.
“Public transport’s kind of a universal uniter for people, whether you’re a young person trying to get into your first job ... whether you’re an older person trying to get to a medical appointment, or trying to visit family.”
Mr Farren-Parnell said the current bus hours didn’t reflect the needs of the community.
“If you’re working a standard nine to five, the bus timetable just doesn’t work for you,” he said.
The Mooroopna Community Plan Steering Committee has most recently been successful in securing $650,000 of Greater Shepparton City Council funding towards the KidsTown upgrade.
Mr Farren-Parnell said a big part of the committee’s role was to act as a bridge between the community and council, and that contributing to the community plan was a prime opportunity to be heard.
To have your say, visit the Shaping Greater Shepparton website.
To get involved with the Mooroopna Community Plan Steering Committee, contact Rowan Farren-Parnell on 0402 460 024 or via email rfarrenpublic@outlook.com
Listen to Mr Farren-Parnell talk more about the plan and the committee on MMG podcasts here:
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