From Hilltops Council – Marg Roles

The conversation continues regarding council services provided in Hilltops and the consideration of a Special Rate Variation (SRV).

The first ever Hilltops Community Satisfaction Survey is still live and there can never be too many responses so hop online and have your say.

https://www.hilltops.nsw.gov.au/council/your-hilltops/

Community consultation workshops commence this week in Galong. Over the next month teams of Council staff and Councillors will be meeting at towns and villages across Hilltops to explain a SRV and listen to community responses.

The Community Reference Group has already had their first meeting where many questions were asked and information given and received.

As I noted in an earlier column, the financial sustainability of our LGA underpins our ability to construct, renew and maintain both essential and liveability infrastructure. The costs of adapting to climate change must be recognised and factored into our financial planning.

Such costs include substantial increases to the Emergency Services Levy, over which Council has no control.

There are challenging discussions ahead in relation to a possible SRV. We all need to make sure that the conversation is respectful, and courteous.

I ask everyone to remember that Council staff have been tasked with presenting the information. It is the Council, your elected leaders, who will be the decision makers.

Respectful discussion - whether in person or online – is also important as we approach the national referendum. I would encourage everyone to be well informed about The Voice – it is important for our nation and our future.

Our future is also tied to our health and as your Mayor I will be attending the Regional Health Forum in Wagga this week. A healthy community is a prosperous community. It is important that we continuously advocate to both Federal and State Government for provision of the best possible health services, for all ages, in our beautiful Hilltops.

Margaret Roles
Mayor

• Topics:

• Local Council
• Community Feedback