Speaking at last week’s council meeting, chief executive officer Andrew Mason said the report’s release was a good opportunity to reflect.

“You look at the report and there are just so many projects that have been achieved and I really think as a council and staff we have a lot to be proud of,” he said.

“The annual report also shows the council is in a strong financial position, which is very important given the financial context we are about to enter.”

The council recorded a surplus of $4.36 million and total income increased to $45.22 million from $39.58 million in 2013-14.

Over 2014-15 the council spent $10.17 million on capital works including $5.7 million on road upgrades, $500,000 on bridges and drainage and $340,000 on building projects.

Putting the council under the microscope, the shire’s staff are dominated by Gen Xers, followed closely by Baby Boomers. The shire employs 278 staff, the majority of whom work in corporate and community services.

It was a big year of events, with the council celebrating its 20^th anniversary last September, welcoming the demolition of Camperdown’s old Bonlac factory to make way for a new plant and the construction of a new milk-bottling factory in Cobden.

Mayor Chris O’Connor listed the announcement of natural gas in Terang and state government grants for big projects as among the positives. “It highlights a pretty satisfying year from a council point of view,” he said.

Councillor Ruth Gstrein congratulated staff on the past 12 months. “I think it has been a great year for council staff, they have just achieved so much,” she said. 

“In light of rate capping, which is going to be hitting us next financial year… it will be interesting to compare the number of services and the standard of services against next year and future years compared with this one.”