Moorabool’s new mayor, first-time councillor Steven Venditti-Taylor, has laid out his priorities for the next 12 months.
Cr Venditti-Taylor won the mayoral election on Wednesday 12 November, with Cr Jarrod Bingham elected as deputy mayor.
Ct Venditti-Taylor laid out a 12 month agenda focused on securing funding for major infrastructure works and delivering long-awaited community facilities in and around the shire in a bid to support the growing population.
Cr Venditti-Taylor said his top priority would focus on progressing the long-planned Bacchus Marsh Civic Centre , which he described as a “game changer” for the community.
“We can unite the town where most of the population is, and make it more convenient for residents,” he said.
“If we can get that happening, it’ll be fantastic.”
Securing the final chunk of funding for the new Bacchus Marsh pool and getting construction underway was also another critical goal, explained Cr Venditti-Taylor.
“It’ll be a fantastic milestone if we can get that final grant and get the shovel in the ground,” he said.
“But then it’s about making it a precinct and really working on what’s best for Maddingley Park as well.”
The mayor said the shire’s rapid growth meant infrastructure planning needed to move faster, especially in areas experiencing major residential development, such as Underbank and Stonehill.
“At the moment, we want a diverse range of housing right across the shire,” he said. “But we don’t have the infrastructure in place that’s going to attract people to come out here. The moment we can get ahead of this, we can grow and get things going.”
Cr Venditti-Taylor said preparing an advocacy plan for Griffith Street in Bacchus Marsh would also be essential, with local community feedback pointing to frustrations around traffic, accessibility, and amenity.
Looking beyond Bacchus Marsh, he said recent developments in Ballan, including the new library, splash park and upgraded public spaces, showed what coordinated investment could achieve.
“When you look at the situation in Ballan, it’s looking really good. We’re probably starting to get on top of that,” he said.
With a state election 12 months away, he said the council would push hard for “every last thing we can get” in roads, infrastructure and major projects over the coming year.
