Ross Earl, General Manager of the Bourke Shire Council, writes on issues in the Far West.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Council staff are in the process of collating the results of the consultation sessions in relation to the council’s Community Strategic Plan and have identified some issues that seem to have a common thread across most of the meetings.
These include, the need for an air service, education, health, community transport, improved sporting facilities and facilities which are accessible at all times. Also included was the need for improved toilets facilities across the shire.
In the consultation process the best attended meeting was that facilitated for the youth of the town with some very constructive suggestions coming from the meeting and it is good to see the younger members of the community taking an active interest in determining the future of our town.
One of the inclusions in 2017/2018 will be the preparation of a strategic master plan for council’s sporting and recreation facilities. The plan in the first instance will focus on the precinct from Davidson Oval through to Cooligan Oval and Central Park, however, it will reference all sporting and recreational areas.
As part of the Restart NSW funding to regional NSW for the upgrade of sporting and recreational facilities it will be important that we have “shovel ready” projects able to be submitted for funding. Equally important is that we have a coordinated approach to the provision of sporting facilities so that we are able to enjoy high standard facilities which are regularly utilised.
Far West Initiative (FWI). Mayor Barry Hollman will travel to Broken Hill to attend a meeting of the executive of the Western Division Councils at Broken Hill on March 24 to look at options for the FWI and all council mayors and general managers of member councils are invited to attend.
During a meeting with the Barwon MP Kevin Humphries last week the issue of the FWI was raised and councillors and staff present were given the clear message the proposal would not be continuing.
Given the meeting was largely to discuss the FWI, the focus could quickly change to the role the western councils may take.