This week is Local Government Week, which aims to promote the importance of local government to the community. As the third tier of government in Australia, local government is the one that has most direct contact with ratepayers and residents and the one that provides the vital services that keep our communities, villages and towns functioning. While many people are aware that councils manage rates, roads and rubbish, the breadth and diversity of their work is often unrecognised. I would like to take this opportunity to thank my fellow Councillors and the Hilltops Council staff for the valuable services they deliver to our community.
Last week, we held the July Council Meeting. A number of agenda items have been referred back to staff for further information, this included the Murrumburrah Precinct Plan. In regard to local bridges, designs for a number of bridges are currently underway with the bridges expected to be completed by the end of 2020.
Councillor Armstrong and I recently attended Audit Risk and Improvement Committee training in Tumut. It became very apparent the increased responsibility of Council to ensure adequate corporate governance and the duty that Councillors have in this regard to their community.
I congratulate the staff and volunteers of the Harden Murrumburrah Visitor Information Centre, which was officially opened by myself and local member Steph Cooke recently. This centre is a great asset to Harden Murrumburrah and the Hilltops region, and I commend all those who contributed to the project.
The ACT and NSW governments have committed to improving freight and export opportunities at the Canberra Airport as part of its regional agreement. The NSW Government’s Future Transport 2056 Strategy identified Canberra as a Global Gateway City, hosting an airport with both domestic and international freight capabilities and potential access for regional NSW businesses.
The collaboration between the state governments, as well as alignment with the local government strategies is very important for the southern NSW and ACT producers seeking easy and fast access to markets, particularly in Asia, with additional flow-on benefits to cargo flights and passenger services.
The NSW Government has extended an invitation to local business people to attend an Introduction to Exporting workshop in Young. This free interactive workshop is designed for businesses starting out on their export journey and those looking to consolidate knowledge. The workshop will be held on Monday 19 August in the Young Town Hall. Further information can be found on Council’s website and Facebook page.
Mayor Brian Ingram
