News from the Mayor- Friday 22nd December

22 Dec 2017 9:12 AM -

Hi Everyone, Christmas has definitely been in the air with another extremely successful Light Up Leeton Concert. I would like to sincerely thank the hardworking Light Up Leeton committee, Council staff, the performers and everyone who contributed in some way to the success of the day. Thanks also to Brett Deaton (Prolop) and David Dowling (Dowling Electrical) who helped set up the lights in the large pine tree in Chelmsford Place creating a delightful Christmas spectacle. 

The Gralee School Christmas Party at the Roxy Theatre was a joyous occasion attended by my wife Julie and I. To see the children performing their acts and singing in front of such a large audience was heartwarming. A big thank you to all of the staff at Gralee School for their efforts in organising the concert.

Our local golf course is going strong and it was lovely to attend their Presentation Night and Christmas Party where thanks was given to Council for its ongoing support. It certainly is a great partnership with the hardworking volunteers supporting the course's maintenance within the allocated budget. Our golf course is the envy of many neighbouring towns. 

Earlier this month I attended a Forum on Refugee Settlement facilitated by Multicultural NSW. Its focus was on both settlement support and pathways for refugees to move into employment.

As a Council we are very interested in how refugees can help close workforce gaps in our local food and fibre manufacturing and processing sectors. We hope to seek funding support for some part time resource to assist with what could be a win win outcome for our refugee community and our local industries. 

It is great news that babies are once again being birthed at Leeton Hospital and it seems the midwife led model of care is working brilliantly. I encourage interested residents to consider becoming a representative on the Local Health Advisory Committee (LHAC). An open information session held this month was poorly attended so I encourage community to look out for the next open health planning session that is planned for February 2018. We need to hear the voice of the community loud and clear.

Boosting our funding for roads and bridges remains a high priority and Council is delighted with the recent announcement that Fixing Country Roads (state government) will contribute $1.4M towards the repair of the bridge across the Sturt Canal on the key freight route between Darlington Point and Wumbulgal. I make it a priority to meet regularly with the Minister for Roads, Melinda Pavey, the most recent occasion being the RMS Regional Industry Forum held in Wagga Wagga earlier this month. I use every opportunity to promote road safety, particularly the increased use of rumble strips on rural roads where fatigue can be a risk. 

The General Manager, Deputy Mayor George Weston and I attended the Local Government NSW Annual Conference earlier this month. I was honoured to be presented with my 30 years’ service award recognising my long service to Council and 13th year as Mayor. At the conference, the Deputy Premier and Minister of Local Government announced the roll out of voluntary Joint Organisations. We are currently in discussions with neighbouring Councils and members of RAMROC (Riverina and Murray Organisation of Councils) to consider our options. Watch this space. 

I was pleased to be re-elected as Chair of the Murray Darling Association Region 9 last week. This is my 7th year as Chair. It is important to ensure that the region has a credible voice with state and federal governments about all things impacting the Murray Darling Basin, including the Murray Darling Basin Plan.  The first five year report card on the implementation of the Plan is due in April 2018. 

Again I am impressed by the calibre of Leeton's younger generation, this time the four SunRice Festival Ambassadors for next year’s event. I met them and their support committees at a 2018 Festival Ambassador Launch which was held at Billenbah. We thank Ricegrowers Ltd/SunRice for their ongoing sponsorship of this iconic Festival. 

On a sad note we have just lost a highly regarded member of our community in former Councillor, Sam Ciccia. I had the pleasure of working with Sam over the 23 years that he served on Leeton Shire Council. Sam contributed so much to our community and was a very caring and selfless person that went out of his way to help people. He will be deeply missed by all and on behalf of the community I extend my deepest sympathy to his wife Tonetta, sons Cr Tony Ciccia, Michael and Joseph and daughters Domenica and Maria.

On behalf of my fellow councillors and all of the staff at Council, I would like to wish everyone a safe and joyful Christmas and a happy, healthy and prosperous New Year. 

Kind Regards, Mayor Cr Paul Maytom