The Blayney Shire Vision for the Future

What's your dream for the Blayney Shire in 10 years time?

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* Rank in order of importance your top 5 vision statements, or if you would like to add one or more your own please do so.

Community - The people who call Blayney Shire home living in our town, villages and rural surrounds are especially welcoming, inclusive and supportive community.

Schools/Education - Children who live in Blayney Shire have access to a diverse range of excellent quality education from Preschool, all throughout Primary and Secondary school with a world class Regional University at our doorstep.

Health Services - Our hospital, emergency, aged care and support services provided in the shire are delivered by an effective, caring and accessible health service.

Business/Industry and Mining - We have demonstrated how industry, agricultural and mining production may exist in harmony working together and collaborating for regional economic growth of the region.

Agriculture - The surrounding agricultural land is highly productive and safe supporting farming families, lifestyles, jobs, rural industries and value adding to markets

Roads and Footpaths, Public Infrastructure - Our transport networks remain critical for market access of agricultural produce, industry, mining and tourism and we rely on improving road safety and public infrastructure.

Sport and Recreation - Our sporting facilities are accessible and we can host regional events and provide opportunities for all ages to be active, healthy and participate in a large range of social, competitive and passive sporting recreational pursuits.

Open Space/Landscape and Environment - The natural environment and open space is highly valuable for agriculture and retention of native flora and fauna habitat within the landscape and our river systems.

Housing - Whether you choose to live in the town of Blayney or any of our villages, there is both space and time to build the home of your dreams.

Culture and Arts - We have a vibrant and thriving arts and cultural scene which is

Tourism - Our visitor economy is our growth industry; with built and natural heritage, annual regional and community events, wine and food, accommodation and many attractions providing the major drawcards to the region.

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* If you have another suggestion, tell us what does your perfect Blayney Shire have and look like in 10 years time?

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* Values

When you consider the values and culture of the community, how would you describe the people who live here? Select your top 5 attributes of the Blayney Shire community. If you would like to add one or more of your own please do so.

We are inclusive

We are united

We treat everyone with respect

We have a can do attitude

We are honest

We back ourselves

We think outside the square

If you have another value to add that best describes the community of Blayney Shire, then please add your suggestion here

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* Strengths/Weaknesses/Opportunities and Threats

The previous Community Strategic Plan, identified the issues and risks that will create challenges for the future, and the strengths that will create opportunities to Blayney Shire.

From a whole of Blayney Shire perspective, what do you think are the major strengths? From the following statements, indicate if you agree these are positive aspects or great things going on within the Shire. If you would like to add additional strengths then please do so in the space provided below

Our agricultural land is highly productive and relatively safe from drought conditions and impact from climate change

We have good diversity of employment opportunities for many professions and small business: Health, Mining, Manufacturing/Industry

Our proximity to Orange and Bathurst ensures families have access to a safe quiet rural community, within easy access for shopping, education, health services and air transport.

Feel free to list others should you identify any not already mentioned

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* From a whole of Blayney Shire perspective, what do you think are the major weaknesses? What is our biggest challenge or what is not working properly? From the following statements, indicate if you agree these are negative aspects or challenges for the Shire. If you would like to add additional weaknesses then please do so in the space provided below

The Shire has a small population and rate base and we rely heavily on grant income for major capital works to renew infrastructure eg Centrepoint Sport and Leisure Centre

Council is constrained by budgets to undertake gravel and rural road network new sealing, re-sealing and gravel re-sheeting works as a result of increased traffic and weather events and limited to meeting demand and expectations.

Local businesses and Council have to compete with Mining industry for recruitment of employees which is sometimes challenging in what we can offer financially

Feel free to list others should you identify any not mentioned

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* From a whole of Blayney Shire perspective, what do you think are the major opportunities? What can we turn around, what is the hidden treasure, what is passing us by that we need to capture? From the following statements, indicate if you agree these are opportunities for the Shire. If you would like to add additional opportunities then please do so in the space provided below

There is significant potential for the visitor economy to grow as Tourism becomes a major focus of the region

The re-opening of the Blayney Demondrille Railway Line would provide significant opportunities for industry and services to step up and take advantage of better rail access for freight

Our sporting and recreational facilities when upgraded will provide significant opportunities for sports tourism and increased healthy lifestyles in our Town and Villages

Feel free to list others should you identify any not mentioned

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* From a whole of Blayney Shire perspective, what do you think are the major threats? What is our biggest risk for our community, agricultural production, jobs and employment, lifestyle? From the following statements, indicate if you agree these are risks or a threat for the Shire. If you would like to add additional threats then please do so in the space provided below

Council is very reliant on Mining for both rates and local employment which if compromised would have significant impact on our communities

Should the Belubula River ever be contaminated by manufacturing, mining or industry leaching this would damage the health of the river, impact on Carcoar Dam as a major tourism attraction and irrigation supply in addition to fish habitat

Bathurst and Orange have huge appeal as major regional city centres which is not conducive for developers meeting the residential housing growth needs in Blayney and villages.

Feel free to list others should you identify any not mentioned

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* Strategic Direction and Major Projects

In 2012 there were a set of goals and strategic objectives for the Shire to achieve over the long term. We would like your feedback about what major projects, strategic objectives and goals that are important to you, your business, your family and community.

Please rank your top 5 priorities by agreeing with those already included in 2012 or if would like to add your own important project goals or ideas please do so in the space provided below

Every village has access to water and sewerage services

Improved access to community and public transport between villages and centres

Integrated medical and aged care facilities across the shire

Preservation and continued development of rail infrastructure

Sustainable waste management

Good goverernance across our communities

A well-run Council organisation

A safe community

Meaningful communication between the Shires communities and Council

A viable agricultural sector with niche opportunities and products coupled with lifesyle

A thriving mining industry that supports and works well with the community

A well established, connected and prosperous tourism industry

Internationally recognised brand for Blayney

Sustainable water, energy and transport sectors to support future growth

A vibrant local retail and business sector

A diverse and sustainable population in our communities and villages

Fit and healthy community members

Capable, self-sufficient communities engaged in desicion making about issues that affect them

Full and equitable access and strong usage of information and communication technologies across the shire

Cultural and sporting events are coordinated and rescourced

Strong participation in sporting events and competitions

Blayney Shire - a centre for arts, performance and entertainment

Retention of native vegetation with linking corridors

Biodiversity of waterways

Heritage sites in the natural and built environment are identified and understood

Sustainable land use practices across across the Shire

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* Rank in order of importance your top 5 vision statements, or if you would like to add one or more your own please do so.

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* If you have another suggestion, tell us what does your perfect Blayney Shire have and look like in 10 years time?

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* ValuesWhen you consider the values and culture of the community, how would you describe the people who live here? Select your top 5 attributes of the Blayney Shire community. If you would like to add one or more of your own please do so.

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* If you have your own priority or major objective for Blayney Shire, please specify here

* Values

When you consider the values and culture of the community, how would you describe the people who live here? Select your top 5 attributes of the Blayney Shire community. If you would like to add one or more of your own please do so.