A recent meeting with our development consultant was not only inspirational but brought home to all councillors just how much can be done to improve our shire over the coming few years.

This week has already seen a meeting with the Director of the Dept of Premier and Cabinet whose advice, information and contacts is invaluable to our shire. Ashley Albury is a wealth of information and further regular meetings with him are planned.

On Wednesday we meet with the peer reviewer in one of the most critical meetings the shire has had in decades.

A team of five from council will meet the peer reviewer who is investigating the reviews done on the flood levee plan and bring to his attention the issues identified in previous reports along with new information completely missed in these reports dating back almost twenty years. As I have mentioned previously, the approach being taken by council is clear, it is based on fact, is balanced, affordable , sensible and delivers an outcome that our community will accept. What transpires when this debate is over and we are asked by the state government to deliver is up to other people and we can only hope that common sense sees the light of day. It is the intention of council to move forward with this vital infrastructure proposal as soon as The government makes their final deliberation. This is our last chance to show them how local knowledge and many years of investigation can highlight anomalies in their reports. I am looking forward with great anticipation to presenting our views along with the other members of the initial meeting group and then the broader Floodplain Management Committee. I sincerely hope that in the next Mayoral column I can report on a successful outcome to this meeting.

To round out a really interesting week, we are very lucky to be able to host the Dep Premier, John Barilaro on Friday and give him an understanding of the way in which we are moving our shire forward. We have an itinerary full of interesting topics and hope to also have time to show him at least one of the many very successful industries operating in the Shire. Whilst Mr Barilaro is relatively new to his Job, so am I and so is our GM Jane Redden. Hopefully it will allow a flow of new ideas and initiatives for the Shire as we transform from an agricultural based region to a transport hub with value adding industries giving life to the economic success of our region. Jane Redden has also identified many areas where the tourism industry in the shire can move ahead.

Tourism based on school activities with curriculum changes in schools focussing on food production will see many buses coming into the shire and Mr Barilaro is in the box seat to help us promote these ideas.

Council are workshopping the long overdue review of the Rural Residential Strategy early next month. For those hardy souls who take an interest in council meetings they will be very aware that some councillors have fought hard for far too long to ring in changes and make a much flexible approach to planning and particularly Rural Residential a priority for this council. I am hoping to see an outcome that allows for less rigid approaches and an easier path to developing blocks on the outskirts of town a reality for the future.

Finally, I sincerely hope as many people have had the opportunity to pay their respects to the soldiers, sailors, aircrew, doctors and nurses who have fought in wars to give us the lives we can so much enjoy now. The importance of Anzac Day should never be allowed to be diminished and to see honour boards at town halls and other buildings is a privilege we should all take advantage of. We are free because so many young men and women gave their lives for us. What an amazing sacrifice.