FOLLOWING the annual Mayoral Election last Monday night, Cr Jim Slattery says he is “delighted” to hold the job for the next 12 months.
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“To be elected mayor is a singular honour and although my first year has been a steep learning experience, I would like to thank my fellow councillors for their confidence in my ability to continue the job of representing this wonderful shire of Cootamundra,” Cr Slattery said.
Over the last year, Cr Slattery said Council has been responsible for many significant outcomes for the shire.
Amongst the shire-backed projects are:
- Completion and official opening of the indoor heated pool.
- Centenary of the Gallipoli memorial rose garden.
- Fenced off leash exercise area for dogs (a project undertaken in conjunction with the Cootamundra Kennel Club).
- Companion Animal Audit of all local residences by the ranger.
- Tree plantings, bike path and exercise equipment along Muttama Creek.
- Replacement of public amenities at the Showground.
- Commencement of kerbside green waste collection.
- Rehabilitation of the former Cootamundra Gasworks site.
- Waste Science Pty Ltd soil rehabilitation partnership, for set up of regional soil rehabilitation and recycling facility.
- Approval of the Claron Estate master plan for residential subdivision.
- Effluent reuse scheme - new filtration system.
- Treatment works - new long-term aeration system.
- Adoption of Cootamundra Local Environment Plan 2013 and Cootamundra Development Control Plan 2013.
- Completion of the Tin Shed Theatre and dressing rooms and relocation of the Visitor Information Centre.
- Contribution to the Nursing Home for installation of a fire safety sprinkler system.
- The above projects resulted in Cootamundra Shire being named a finalist in the AR Bluett Award - an award presented annually to the NSW council which has demonstrated itself to be an outstanding organisation in all facets of service delivery.
- To be a finalist out of 152 councils is a remarkable achievement and is due to the foresight and planning of the elected councillors and the hard work of council staff,” Cr Slattery said.
A winner of this competition will be announced next month.
He indicated that over the next 12 months, Council would like to see the present level of service provision maintained.
“With the decrease in funding from both State and Federal Governments, this will not be an easy task,” Cr Slattery said.
“However, general manager Ken Trethewey and staff are working to ensure that ratepayers get value for money in an increasingly difficult financial environment,” Cr Slattery continued.
He pointed to the new ownership of the abattoir, expansion of Cootamundra Oilseeds and the Soil Rehabilitation Facility as employment opportunities of the future for the shire.
Over the last few years ‘Mayoral Consultation’ meetings have been held on the last Friday of the month in the Stephen Ward Rooms.
“The consultation process with ratepayers is an important part of Council keeping in touch with the general public,” Cr Slattery said.
However, Cr Slattery says it is time for a revamp of the current consultation format and from next month, rather than an open-forum style, people can have personal meetings with the mayor.
Mayoral Consultations will continue to take place at 5.30pm on the last Friday of the month and attendees will be allocated 10 minutes to discuss their issue with the mayor.
“This new format is intended to assist those attendees who find it difficult and confronting to talk and discuss their particular issues in an open forum,” Cr Slattery said.