The role of Councils has significantly changed during the past twenty years and is much more complex. However, the basics remain – roads, rubbish, water and sewerage which are all critical services for our existing and future residents.
Roads
Council manages an 1,100-kilometre network of roads comprised of 208km Urban, 873 km Rural, and 20 km of regional roads that service a land area of 4,514 square kilometres.
Not surprisingly the top priority for over 80% of our community is improving/maintaining roads and kerb & guttering across the LGA.
Flooding and extreme weather have adversely impacted our roads resulting in natural disaster declarations by the NSW Government for the Lithgow region. The Council administration has been working hard to secure funding to undertake repairs to these roads inclusive of the Wolgan and Gap Roads.
However, the management of potholes has not been of a standard that our community considers acceptable, and I have been dealing with these issues for the past 12monbths particularly in our rural areas.
We as a community deserve safe roads on which to drive and if elected we seek a:
A firm commitment from the Administration to complete all asset management plans for roads within 12 months.
The development of a 10-year replacement schedule for roads based on priority.
A commitment to allocate adequate resources to ensure ongoing repair of potholes and cleaning of road drains,
To replace the existing bridge at Glen Davis and ensuring the community is not adversely impacted by flooding.
Seek to have a four year maintenance plan for dirt roads in the LGA inclusive of cleaning drains
A firm commitment for adequate resources are allocated to maintain road verges in rural areas
To advocate for the repair or replacement of bridges on the Sodwalls Road with the NSW Government
Sewerage
Sewerage management is a critical service provided by our Council and any economic/population growth is dependent upon our ability to manage sewerage.
Regrettably the back flow of sewerage into residents’ houses has been a long-standing issue particularly in the city of Lithgow. I had originally intended for the introduction of reflex valves to address the issue in the worst affected houses. Regrettably this led to a policy that penalises residents for the failure of multiple Councils to rectify the problem.
If elected, we will seek:
The adoption of a new policy for the management of back flow in the most affected residences.
Clarification of the alleged $70 million required to upgrade the sewer system claimed by the former General Manager and have any formal assessment tabled in an open Council meeting.
A firm timeline for the completion of all Asset Management planning in relation to the sewerage assets.
Waste Transfer Stations
The management of waste is a highly regulated area with Council having to comply with both State and Federal legislation. A number of residents have access to kerbside services however large areas of our LGA either have to take their waste to a transfer station or drive to the waste facilities at Lithgow, Portland or Capertee.
The current design of the transfer stations make it difficult for residents particularly elderly to safely lift their bins into the larger skip bins.
It elected we will:
Seek to have the Administration investigate an alternate design for the transfer stations or other options to minimise the risk to members of the public.
Investigate options to assist small business in remote areas such as Capertee who are precluded from taking waste to the local facility and being required to drive into Lithgow.
Seek a cost impact assessment of providing limited bulky waste collection in areas that are not service by kerbside collection.
Seek a firm timeline for the completion of the Glen Davis transfer station.
Water
Water is a critical service provided by Council, with our water supply coming from both the Farmers Creek Dam and Fish River Water Supply. The quality of water supplied by Council has been questioned and the number of interruptions to services.
If elected, we will:
Seek to ensure regular testing of water at selected residential and commercial premises with the results made publicly available. With the result to be used to determine continuous improvement of the service.
Seek to assess the potential to harvest stormwater for future uses. Either at commercial sites or through residential use.
Submit a Notice of Motion seeking Council Administration to pursue upgrades to Fish River Water line through to Glen Davis