9.1. Mayoral Minute Kremer Park Grandstand
I have nil problem with facilities being named after residents. However, due process must be followed in order to be transparent in our decision-making process and that is why I moved the following amendment:
That the proposal to name the Kremer Park Grandstand to the “Gary (Snag) Taylor Grandstand be placed on public exhibition and in the event of no objections that the Grandstand is named after “Gary (Snag) Taylor”
The Amendment was carried and for the record I will not be providing the names of those who objected to the Mayoral minute to the General Manager as requested by the Mayor,
9.2 Mayoral Minute – Town Entry Signage across the LGA
The motion brough forward by the Mayor was:
THAT Council bring forward $100,000 from the 2024/25 Operational Plan to fund the design and construction of new town entry signs through Lithgow, Wallerawang and Portland.
After debate Cr Colemon moved the following amendment which I seconded:
THAT the Town Entry Signage across the LGA be deferred and brought to the next Operations Committee meeting for discussion.
The amendment became the motion and was carried. Is the replacement of these sign our most urgent priority with respect to asset management? Given that we have engaged professionals to prepare a Destination Marketing Plan and the rebranding of the Lithgow LGA for Tourism – its appropriate that we wait for the branding to be completed prior to expending funds on signs.
10.1. Councillor S McGhie – 25/03/2024 – Rebate scheme for the fitting of reflux valves
A third point was added to the original motion proposed by Cr McGhie which was subsequently carried:
THAT
1. $150,000 be set aside to fund the private fitting of reflux valves to the first 200 successful applicants.
2. The administration set up a simple system for application, approval, inspection and payment of a maximum $750 rebate per household.
3. The refined and finalised process for rebates and the process such as eligibility be brought to the next Operations Committee meeting for discussion and finalisation the Council.
This motion was carried only because it will be discussed further in the operations committee which could lead to further debate of change.
Residents pay to have sewerage removed from their property and not to receive the delivery of sewerage. This is an ongoing problem for many people through no fault of their own and an issue that has been ignored by countless Councils and Administrations.
It is still my opinion that residents should not be out of pocket for these works and that a rebate of $750 is grossly inadequate but we are now at least openly discussing the issue.
11.3.1- Proposed Study Visit – Latrobe Valley
As I said at the meeting – “A junket by any other name is still a junket and this proposal serves no real purpose for the community that we represent. I cannot support what is in my opinion a complete waste of rate payer money.”
Established in 2016 The Latrobe Valley Authority represent the changing needs of six councils and is an ongoing project. There is ample information available on the Authority and its success and failures available online so is there any real benefit in going. For me the answer is no because several online (zoom) meetings could be organised at nil cost and achieve the same outcome.
And I am still not sure why the General Manger who is retiring on the 30 June needs to go.
The proposal was successful:
FOR: Councillor M Statham, Councillor A Bryce, Councillor D Goodwin, Councillor S McGhie and Councillor C O’Connor
AGAINST: Councillor C Coleman, Councillor S Lesslie, Councillor E Mahony and Councillor S
Ring
Councillor O’Connor supported the motion, but we will not be undertaking the two-day junket.
It was, however, very nice of the Mayor to thank those Councillors who were not attending the junket for saving the ratepayers money. See the vidoem below
11.4.1. Destination Action Plan
After many years Council has finally contracted a highly regarded firm to prepare a Destination Management Plan for our community. The plan will go on public exhibition soon and I would encourage everyone in the tourism industry to review it and make comments as necessary.
The draft plan recommends revisiting the branding of Lithgow – it may or may not result in the retention of the Seven Valleys. I will be interested in both community and tourism operator feedback.