Just over a fortnight ago our Floodplain management Committee met with the Peer Reviewer to discuss his findings in relation to the previous report from Lyall and Associates in 2013. The Peer reviewer largely agreed with the Lyall report and basically nothing has changed in terms of the State Governments approach to likely outcome for the town and the levee.
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The process now is that with the delivery and acceptance of the final report from the Peer Reviewer the council will have met the necessary milestones for us to be reimbursed for monies expended to date. We can then sit down with the Office of Environment and Heritage and discuss the possible ways for council to fulfil our obligations according to the Legislation. Whilst we are in these deliberations we are still completely in the dark as to the likely outcome and any talk about a levee and its likely construction is nothing but speculation. When we know the details the residents will be the first to know.
Number or road issues
Recently GM Jane Redden and I met with Roads Minister Melinda Pavey about a number of road issues across the shire. The minister listened intently to our concerns particularly in relation to the Mitchell Highway west of Trangie that has claimed so many lives. I have had a subsequent meeting with Indigenous local Elders and given them an undertaking to ensure iconic heritage and cultural objects are preserved to the best of our ability. I have also contacted the head of RMS Parkes outlining both our conversation with the Minister and the Elders. My understanding is that a cultural officer from RMS and one of the elders will have a site inspection to identify those objects of significance and determine the best way to preserve them when tree clearing occurs.
GM Jane also raised the issue of the very poor state of the Highway between Narromine and Dubbo, the lack of passing lanes and a surface that resembles a patchwork of patches. The Minister took all this on board and hopefully we will see some significant improvements in the coming years. It does appear that governments are recognising the importance of maintaining infrastructure in the bush to a high standard and significant inflows of cash are occurring. I thank Troy Grant particularly for his efforts in supporting our shire in the most positive way.
I have mentioned this topic before but have had a number of enquiries about council’s intentions regarding the NBN in our shire. Council have applied for grant funding that will enable us to partner with a service provider in the industry to provide for towers and antennae to be erected across the shire to bring a wireless service to the entire shire. We recognise the imperative of businesses of all types being able to utilise the most efficient telecommunications available. With a positive outcome to our grant submission a rollout can start within weeks and hopefully the entire shire will be covered in less than two years.
