From Hilltops Councillor – Mayor Brian Ingram

Work on the inclusive playground at Tresillian Park in Young has commenced and is progressing well. Playground equipment has been installed and the soft fall areas are currently being completed. New barbeques at the park have also been installed, along with tables and chairs. Council is also installing an amenities building at the Playground. The playground and amenities have been funded by the State Government and I thank Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke for her ongoing advocacy and support of this project. I know the community have been waiting to see work commence so I thank everyone for their patience and very much look forward to a COVID safe official opening.

Another much anticipated project is the Murrumburrah Precinct upgrade which has multiple elements of work including stream beautification, playground, car park, causeway and fish ladders. These five components will be packaged as one tender. We are well advanced in the tender process and are pleased to advise that as part of the project there will be an extension to the barbeque area and a privacy screen will be installed between the barbeque area and amenities block.

In Boorowa, Council have secured funding under the Local Roads Community Infrastructure Program Round Two to replace the Brial Street Causeway in Boorowa. The causeway will be replaced with culverts to reduce the number of times the road is closed due to flooding.

Along with Council’s General Manager Anthony O’Reilly, I have always been open with residents about the financial position of Council. In the past I have personally addressed media speculation and discussion regarding our financials, namely our deficits. I was disappointed to hear via staff and residents that there is speculation in the community regarding options for the financial sustainability of Council moving forward. At this point in time Council are considering options and no decisions have been made. All options will be put before the Council, and I will update the community when any decision is made.

This will be my last column for the current term of Council. I hope to be given the opportunity to represent to community after the elections on 4 December as I believe we still have a lot to achieve and need to build on the foundations set by Council over the past five years. Once again I thank residents for their ongoing support and contribution to the Hilltops community.

Mayor Brian Ingram

• Topics:

• Local Council
• Covid-19
• Community