There has been a change in the leadership team at the Tenterfield Shire Council, with Cr Peter Petty replacing Cr John Macnish as Deputy Mayor.
Mayor Toby Smith was once again voted in at last week’s council meeting.
“I look forward to continuing to play my part in the future for the people of the Tenterfield Shire,” Cr Smith said.
According to Cr Smith, the council has achieved much in the past year including:
The completion of the industrial complex;
- More walking and cycleways along Tenterfield Ck;
- Realignment and sealing of Maryland Hill on Mount Lindesay Road;
- Construction of three major bridges, plus a small one at Booths Creek;
- Major flood restoration works including the commence-ment of the Tenterfield Creek restoration;
- Opening of the Sewerage Treatment Plant;
- Construction of the new water treatment plant servicing Urbenville, MulliMulli and Woodenbong;
- Urbenville Medical Centre is almost complete;
- Improvements to Legume and Urbenville halls;
- Funds have been made available for works on the Torrington Hall;
- Drake has been supplied with a new industrial size mower to service the village;
- Major plant items have been purchased including a new garbage truck, large excavator, road maintenance grader and water tanker;
- Purchase of state of the art mowers for Tenterfield parks and gardens;
- The council reformed a Parks and Gardens Committee and decided to enhance the appearance of the main street;
- Funding was sourced to complete the magnificent fence around the Shirley Park No 1 Oval;
- Finalising the 15-Year Strategic Plan and receiving a glowing report on that and the Best Practice Report by Department of Local Government officials when they recently met with the council – only a few councils in NSW have completed their strategic plans;
- Lobbying for and receiving $6 million from the Federal Government for the Heavy Vehicle Alterative Route and Bolivia Hill; and
- Delivering a balanced budget for 2011/12, quite an achievement in tough economic times.
“As well as travelling extensively around the Shire, I have represented the council at conferences and meetings in Bunbury (WA), Brisbane, Sydney, Canberra, Dubbo, Armidale, Inverell, Bingara, Moree, Uralla, Walcha, Glen Innes, Casino and Warwick to name but a few,” Cr Smith said.
“All in all, an extremely positive and productive year for the council,” he said.
He hopes to continue this over the next 12 months.