From Hilltops Council – John Piper

Reflections of a Councillor

This is my last article as a Hilltops Councillor. The reason is simple; I am not standing for re-election in September. With that in mind, I’d like to share a few insights about my time as a Councillor.

My wife and I moved to Boorowa eight years ago to experience a country lifestyle and have loved getting to know the community. Becoming a Councillor has helped me get to know my community much better.

In the role of Councillor, you try to help guide the direction Council is heading in, looking at its activities from a bird’s eye view rather than the day to day. At the same time, if you can help a constituent with their day-to-day concerns, there is a real sense of satisfaction and delight.

During my time as a Councillor I’ve come to understand the workings of Council, it’s challenges and opportunities and witnessed the way Hilltops Council has grown in influence and size.

Since amalgamation, Hilltops Council has gone from being a rural council, to a large rural council and is now a regional council. This gives Hilltops Council the ability to apply for more funding and it shows that we are gaining momentum and moving forward.

With this in mind, why would we want to turn the clock back and return to the ‘good ol days’ of separated councils? We should be rallying to support those with a forward-looking mindset.

As I’ve mentioned in a previous article, a survey of the Central and Southern Slopes Councils, Hilltops Council scored a 1st or 2nd place in almost every category, evidence that Council is doing things right.

As a citizen of Hilltops Council, you have the opportunity in September to vote in people who are forward thinking, not those who are backward-looking, or perhaps even stand for election yourself.

I have enjoyed my time serving the community, helping constituents when I could. I’d also like to offer my thanks to the General Manager, Anthony O’Reilly and his executive staff who have been very helpful during my term as Councillor.

My fellow Councillors have given me some very interesting times and I would like to say to them - “thanks for the memories.”

John Piper

• Topics:

• Local Council