Walcha has not slowed down since Christmas. Breakfast in the Park on Australia Day and the Walcha Races are two annual events that we all look forward to and this year we enjoyed perfect weather for both.
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Congratulations to the Walcha Jockey Club on the hugely successful 130th Walcha Cup meeting which brings so many visitors to our town. The exposure and financial injection for Walcha cannot be underestimated from the races.
The value to the service clubs that work so hard over the two days, the local businesses that run outlets at the track right through to the flow on benefit to all the businesses in town is significant. Whether it’s a night’s accommodation, filling up with petrol, buying food, eating out or simply buying a newspaper it is all income into our community.
The Walcha Garden Club also had a perfect day last Friday to enjoy the magnificent gardens at Branga Plains. Both Suz Lord and Sue Hourigan were the perfect hostesses for the day and their gardens stunning despite the warmer days with not as much rain as we would like to see.
President Gwen Higgins had the enjoyable task of handing out $39,000 raised from the Open Gardens to local and regional organisations. It was a proud day for the Garden Club to see the culmination, and appreciation, of their hard work.
Walcha Council’s February meeting was busy with a presentation by council’s auditor, review of the Quarterly Report and Delivery Plan. Other items presented to the meeting included – failure of the E-Waste Scheme which will now see old TVs, PCs, printers and small appliances having to go into landfill. Council will make representations to the Member for New England regarding future funding of E-Waste disposal.
The Drinking Water Quality Policy, which forms part of the Walcha Drinking Water Management System to ensure a commitment to quality monitoring, recording and supply, was endorsed.
Council will support the Walcha Polocrosse Club’s carnival to be held next month at the Racecourse, which will bring around 200 people to Walcha for the weekend.
Proposed works this month include – gravel resheeting on Brackendale Road, reseal on Moona, Emu Creek, Aberbaldie and Darjeeling roads, grading of Hellhole, Brackendale, Hazeldene, Winterbourne, Oorawilly and Blue Mountain roads.
There has been notification regarding a meeting to discuss the possible formation of a Business Houses Association.
I am happy to be involved with this process but need to make it quite clear that this has not been instigated by council and will not form a committee of council.
There is certainly a need for an organisation to focus on the promotion of local businesses and shopping locally and I hope to see strong interest and attendance at the meeting.
The coming month will see the general manager and I attend a seminar and boot camp regarding the Rural Council Template and Model. Council is considering all possibilities regarding our Fit for the Future options in readiness for consulting with you, our community, to ensure we get the best outcome for Walcha.