The past fortnight has been absolutely hectic one, which is exactly what I had expected in the lead-up to Christmas.
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I have had the opportunity to get around a number of the shire roads and witness the progress of the work being done by our dedicated road crews.
It really is most gratifying to hear from landholders who have relayed their thanks for a job well done and be able to pass this on to the operators.
It is still clearly a work in progress and will be completed as quickly as possible.
I had the good fortune to speak with John Barilaro recently who is our new Deputy Premier and outlined to him the concerns of a country mayor trying to fit square pegs into round holes.
He has consented to coming to the shire to get a better understanding of the issues faced by a shire with limited population and funding and a massive roads network.
He is deeply aware of the political ramifications of Governments not listening to their constituency magnified by the result in Orange recently.
I have also had the opportunity on a trip to Canberra to visit my elderly mum to have half an hour with the former Narromine resident, Mike Mrdak.
Mike has risen to the position of Secretary for the Department of Infrastructure and Regional Development.
He has been most helpful and will be a great ally in assisting us to develop the correct approach for seeking Federal Grant funding, a process that we will engage in with a great deal more enthusiasm than we have previously.
Council, in their desire to advance the potential of the shire have engaged in a significant number of workshops, usually with the help of professionals in recent weeks.
We have been brought up to date as to the current situation relating to the Levee Bank and the peer review currently under way.
We have been given an overview of the Local Environmental Plan (LEP) by staff and State Planning officials and what might be done to broaden the appeal of the shire by way of some modifications to the document.
This will be a priority in the new year and every opportunity will be given to our shire to enhance the opportunities and its liveability.
We have also been fortunate enough to spend a few hours with Gretchen Armitage who is conducting the Community strategic Planning seminars on behalf of council.
I hope as many people can avail themselves of the opportunity to attend and be inspired by Gretchen as were the councillors.
This is the community’s opportunity to have their say on the future priorities of our shire.
In the lead-up to Christmas I wish all residents a wonderful time with family and friends and hope you all make it safely through this busy period.
Craig Davies