From Hilltops Council – John Piper

One year on... As I reflect on my first year in office as a Councillor on the Hilltops Council, I am surprised at how little I knew and how much I have learned.

We are a relatively new Council with a majority of new Councillors. During my first 12 months we have worked well together and the Council, among other things, have tackled the issue of Council debt and have reduced this amount.

One of the things that surprised me was the quantity of reading involved in being a Councillor. You can’t just turn up at a Council meeting without having read the material and expect to participate effectively.

Two of the things I campaigned on were: getting two police officers back in Boorowa – which has been achieved, and also trying to get good, reliable drinking water for Boorowa; this one we’re still working on.

A benefit of being a Councillor is I have the opportunity (which I love) of helping people.

Before I was a Councillor, on a Saturday morning I would head down the road to pick up a paper and I’d be back home in 15 minutes. The first Saturday after being elected I went down the road and wasn’t home for another 1 3⁄4 hours. People wanted to chat about their problems and to ask if I could help.

I have personally been able to help a number of my constituents; everything from our common road problems, which all of Hilltops suffers from, to problems with water supply.

I’m really looking forward to tackling the challenges of the next 12 months as I help my constituents.

I am gaining more experience by being involved on a number of committees, everything from the Australia Day Committee to wind farm and water committees.

I’d like to thank other Councillors and the Lord Mayor for supporting and advising the oldest, novice Councillor in Hilltops.

John Piper