By Councilor Warren Waddell
Everyone enjoyed the Christmas break and are now ready for a prosperous 2020. The continuing pressure of bushfire events has no doubt made it difficult for our volunteers, service providers and their families to spend time together, but with any luck, relief is now in sight.
Council arrangements have ensured a prompt response to any issues emerging out of the increased threat to our residents, property or services throughout this period. Council also resolved to make a one off direct contribution of $10 000 to the RFS.
The December meeting saw Council formally support the draft proposal for the Galston Village Public Domain project allowing us to move forward with further consultation and planning.
The results of the broad consultation with the community as part of the Rural Land Review have gone on public exhibition. Although summary in nature, the results have provided clearer direction to Council in terms of the next step and drafting of recommendations.
The DA for Galston Aquatic Centre’s new roof has come off public exhibition and will now move to the final stages of DA assessment. Once approved the first stage will go out to tender for construction. At that point it will become clearer what level of disruption will occur to the Centre’s overall operation.
In the mean time, Councillors will meet in February with a view to develop strategies for our Shire’s future and to advance our priorities for 2020. I will be pushing for results in areas of better communication for rural residents, economic development and tourism strategies, overcoming planning anomalies and best practice in terms of environmental and sustainability policy.
Groundwork has been done in all of these areas but it is time for implementation.
