From Hilltops Council – Patrick Fitzgerald

I hope everybody had a great time during the festive season and feels renewed and refreshed to start this new year.

January 26th is fast approaching and I am looking forward to meeting the Australia Day Ambassadors visiting our region and welcoming those people who will take the oath to become Australian citizens on the day. I hope many of you will take the opportunity to go out to events planned and celebrate this great nation that we live in. To view the 2024 Australia Day Programs across the Hilltops visit: https://www.hilltops.nsw.gov.au/community/australia-day/

I want to take this opportunity to thank Lucy and Stephen Targett for their efforts in the organisation and running of the Harden Kite Festival over the past years. Sadly, Lucy and Stephen are leaving Harden for Junee and I am sure we all wish them well for the future.

As we look forward to new and exciting adventures it is important to take lessons from the past and find ways to improve. One of my great concerns has been the increase in the road toll in NSW and especially in our area, the Hume Police District. Last year NSW had 349 fatalities on our roads, which was an increase of 80 from the previous year. So far this year NSW has had 10 deaths which is higher than the seven this time last year. Many people would guess that fatal accidents happen in more populated areas. In fact, most fatal accidents occur in rural areas, on fairly straight stretches of road. These accidents are due to speed and driver distraction. I ask all Hilltops residents when getting behind the wheel of a car to concentrate, slow down and take care.

To all members of the Hilltops community, I wish you a happy, safe and prosperous 2024.

Patrick FitzGerald

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• Local Council