The results are in and your path for the future direction and governance of Walcha Council very clear. A strong 84 per cent of responses said “NO” to a merger with Uralla, 66pc agreed to a reduction of councillors, with five or six being the most popular numbers, and 61pc agreeing to abolish the ward system.
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Council will now hold a public meeting at the Bowling Club on Thursday, May 28, at 6pm to address the survey outcomes and deliver further information to the community regarding our financial and infrastructure positions. It will also give you the opportunity to ask questions relating to these issues and the Fit for the Future process.
The Office of Local Government appears to be stepping away from the option of the Rural Council model and this is a real concern as it has the potential to cloud the way forward for Walcha. Following the public consultation meeting, council will workshop outcomes for the submission due at the end of June.
Walcha’s water remains fragile and if the McDonald River stops running we will be in the same shaky position as February last year. Council is currently drilling four test bores to assess capacity. I must stress that this is for emergency supply only and in no way a long term solution to providing a sustainable water supply to Walcha.
This process forms part of our Water Yield Study and there is no intention for the bores to override normal supply obtained from the McDonald River. As the general manager and I are meeting with the Member for New England, Barnaby Joyce later this month we will be able to discuss the present consideration of the Apsley Dam Project.
Congratulations to Quota on its 40th anniversary celebration last month and members for the entire 40 years deserve special mention. Connie Brazel, Sandra Galvin Wendy Galvin, Mona Spry, Margaret Williams and Win Burgess have all been there from the very first meeting held in 1975 and I am sure have seen much change since then.
One thing that has not changed is the Walcha Quota Club remains one of the strongest in NSW. With new president Janice Rizzi at the reins, Quota is in safe hands. Congratulations to outgoing president Kerry Fair and her team for a successful year.
The April Council meeting was busy with the budget and capital works program for 2015 - 16 being workshopped and fine tuning of the 10 year plan completed prior to the meeting. Outcomes of the formal meeting included: Walcha contributing to a NSW Fire Service Airbase at Armidale Airport.
Council did not agree with the recommendation from the RMS to reduce the speed limit on the Oxley Highway east of Walcha to 100km/h.
Council will participate in the Small Business Friendly Councils Program which aims to work with and support local businesses.
The locations for the two sculptures won at Sculpture by the Sea last November was decided. They will be installed along the River walk area, one on each side of the River to add to our Open Air Gallery sculpture walk. The date for the official unveiling will be announced shortly.
Upcoming works include: grading, weather permitting, of Winterbourne, Table Top, Florida, Kangaroo Hills, Glenroy, Strathleigh, Surveyors Creek and Niangala roads. Streetscape work on the footpath from Café Graze to Apsley Hotel continues. Heavy patching on the Oxley Highway. Installation of wire rope barrier on Walcha Road hill.