Horsham Rural City Council has given notice of its intention to resign as a member of Wimmera Southern Mallee Development (WSMD), following a special meeting of the WSMD Board.
WSMD currently represents a collaborative economic development body spanning five municipalities – Horsham, West Wimmera, Hindmarsh, Yarriambiack, and Buloke – focusing on growth across economic, cultural, social, and environmental domains.
The Council cited an increasing misalignment between WSMD’s strategic direction and Council’s local strategic priorities – resulting in declining engagement and project delivery effectiveness – as the principal reason for the decision to withdraw.
The WSMD Board has recognised the misalignment, deciding to restructure the way the company limited by guarantee is governed which doesn’t include any of the remaining member Councils having representation on the Board.
Reinvestment
The $238,656 originally budgeted for the 2025–26 WSMD member contribution will now be reinvested into targeted economic development initiatives within Horsham and the region. It will be strategically aligned with the emerging priorities identified through ongoing community engagement under the forthcoming 2025–29 Council Plan.
Best outcome
“This is the best outcome for all parties concerned, Council will have more focused control over economic development initiatives that benefit Horsham and the region more specifically,” Mayor Cr Ian Ross explained.
Cr Cameron McDonald, Horsham Rural City Council’s member representative, formalised the termination of the Memorandum of Understanding, originally signed on December 1, 2021, between Council and WSMD, by signing the relevant documents at a special board meeting.
“I would like to thank Cr McDonald for his dedicated commitment and service as a Director representing Council on the WSMD board,” Cr Ross said. “He advocated for the interests of our community, and it has been greatly appreciated.”
Council extends its appreciation to WSMD for its collaborative efforts and service to the region over many years.
This article appeared in The Buloke Times, 29 August 2025.