In this past week alone council has approved developments for two major new projects that will have a capital expenditure that will eventually total over $25 million.
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Along with that, the media announcement on Thursday of $1m for enabling infrastructure for the Dappo Rd projects will unleash a further $24m in capital development over the coming years.
Our development manager and I met with investors on Thursday as well and they too have a project that will be economy changing for our shire. It is a very significant investment that needs to be tested and proven but is certainly worth the wait.
These projects have largely been the result of the visionary work that council have engaged in over the past four years to broaden our industrial base and strengthen the local economy.
Much credit should flow onto those on our Economic Development Group who have been instrumental in advising on a number of initiatives and come along to our quarterly meetings over the past five years. I thank all of them for their dedication and input. We are yet to see the benefits of Inland Rail and unfortunately there is some serious downside to the project.
Council have no influence whatsoever in the decisions of ARTC and are unable to affect outcomes. The net result in years to come will be hundreds of jobs for our shire and Narromine becoming a significant transport hub.
The opportunities are endless and I have arranged for a senior government senator to be in the shire early next year to further the prospects of the shire. Inland Rail will bring many jobs along with challenges that we are already focusing on and dealing with proactively.
To look around the shire now and recognise the changes over the past three years is extremely pleasing.
So much work done on sporting areas, the pools, ovals, gym and may other infrastructure projects that is changing the shire significantly for the better. Tomingley has seen many upgrades to the facilities down there and as soon as the funding becomes available their water will also be immensely improved.
There is much more planned in the way of better drainage for our towns, more footpaths and disability projects. We will have another $1m for drought projects early in the new year and of that approx $220,00 has been set aside for community projects.
I have many more duties than I had ever envisaged but it is all part of the privilege of being mayor of Narromine. Some of those roles include the Newell Highway Taskforce, CSU Community Consultation group, Macquarie River Infrastructure Priority committee, Country Mayors and of course my role as chairman of the Joint Organisation of Orana Councils. I look forward to our future with much anticipation.
We have so much to offer in this wonderful shire and with the right leadership and vision we will see our dreams become realities. I am always happy to take calls from residents or respond to emails.
I also wish to thank the councillors who share the vision and wish to work along side council and staff to make this shire the best it can be. Finally I wish all our residents the most enjoyable and relaxing Christmas period possible.
