History:

The Dimboola Residents’ Action Group was formed at an open public meting in May 2010, following an earlier meeting in April of a few Dimboola & District residents who were concerned about Hindmarsh Shire Council decisions and practices.  The April meeting unanimously decided to convene the public meeting to establish a committee for the betterment and improvement of our town.

The initial meeting was held to discuss the many expressions of concern, circulating at the time, about the Shire’s treatment of Dimboola and District and to find a way forward.  It was unanimously agreed that concerned residents would be best served by banding together in a formal way, so that issues, grievances and ideas might be conveyed in a collective, constructive and authoritative manner on behalf of our community.  It was also considered that a formal group might also provide a means to support, protect and encourage those who want to be involved, speak out and ask questions, without feeling isolated and vulnerable to personal attack.

At the public meeting, held at 7.30pm on Wednesday, 12^th May 2010, at the Dimboola Bowling Clubrooms, it was unanimously agreed to form the Action Group.  Issues for the group to consider are:

· lack of effective Shire communication and consultation with the Dimboola public;

· specific decisions of the Shire (eg. roadside cropping, High Street) and associated Shire decision-making processes;

· the possibility and logistics of splitting from the Hindmarsh Shire and joining Horsham Rural City Council;

· Hindmarsh Shire’s culture of bullying, retribution and heavy-handedness;

· poor maintenance of Dimboola and the appearance of our town in comparison with others in the Hindmarsh Shire (fairness & equity issues);

· a lack of Shire accountability to the community;

· a lack of respect and understanding for the importance of farming in our district;

· the poor quality of works and neglect of Dimboola and District by the Hindmarsh Shire Council; and

· outside assistance that may be available to help fix some of these problems (eg. the Victorian Ombudsman).

 

Current membership of the Action Group:
Rhonda Huf (Chairperson), Suzi Wouters (Secretary), Anne-Marie Gaulke (Treasurer), Tony Schneider(Publicity), Tony Ingeme, David Bug, Kevin Watson, Evelyn Wilson,

Meetings:  Meetings are held on the fourth Wednesday of each month, at 7.30pm in the Dimboola Community Centre, Wimmera Street, Dimboola.  All interested residents are encouraged to attend.

DOCUMENTS OF INTEREST:

1. Action Group Submission to the Hindmarsh Shire Council on the 2010/2011 Council Budget
(120KB)

2. Hindmarsh Shire Response to Action Group Budget Submission (791KB)

3. Wimmera Southern Mallee Regional Plan (1.42MB)

4. Hindmarsh Shire Council - Nhill Municipal Offices - Redevelopment Proposal (1.61MB)

5. Hindmarsh Shire Council Customer Satisfaction Survey 2010 (447KB)

6. Local Government Financial Sustainability Report (Whelan Report) (167KB)

Last updated 12 August 2010

Dimboola Deserves Better!

 

 

 

DIMBOOLA RESIDENTS’ ACTION GROUP