It's been a busy year for Horsham Rural City Council for 2021

Mayor Robyn Gulline said it was a year filled with "amazing decisions."

"These decisions will be to the benefit of the community for decades," she said.

"There's been the activation along the river. All of the contracts have been awarded down there.

"The industrial precinct that we are subdividing and getting ready to meet the demand of business.

"We endorsed the City Oval master plan, and had the adoption of the Community Vision."

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The year started with a solid debate around building a pedestrian bridge across the Wimmera River.

Like the ANZAC Centenary Bridge, the bridge would connect the east and west sides of the river at Hamilton Road, linking a new housing development to the centre of town.

Many community members questioned why the council was not considering a second vehicle bridge across the river - and the project failed to find Victorian government funding at a special council meeting in March.

The bridge would form part of the council's City to River waterfront activation plan - which commenced in May at a sod-turning ceremony with former Deputy prime minister Michael McCormack.

Cr Gulline said many projects bring in more people, which she said is highlighted in the Community Vision.

"We need to make Horsham more liveable, more accessible, more sustainable so it's not reliant on one industry," she said.

"We need to continue to develop and foster that sense of community that is a real country thing.

"It's a very different mindset, and it's important."

The middle of the year saw heated debate continue as the council passed its 2021-22 budget.

Council offices were the site of a protest from the Victorian Farmers Federation, upset at a projected increase in farming rates in the region.

The budget was eventually passed, despite initially being voted down by councillors.

Looking ahead to 2022, Cr Gulline said many lessons would be taken forward.

"We were all impacted differently by COVID-19, that's important for all of us to acknowledge," she said.

"That sense of tolerance, respect and less judgement of the challenges of others (should continue).

"The acknowledge of mental health has certainly been more keenly highlighted and the importance of looking after yourself and others around you.

"People have reassessed what's important to them and what's important in their lives.

"Things we prioritised before might not be what we prioritise now."

Cr Gulline said changes would bring challenges but also opportunities.

"We'll get back to a normal, whatever that normal might look like," she said.

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