December Mayor's Message
Published on 13 December 2023
As the year draws to a close, myself and other Councillors have been delighted to attend presentations at the schools in our community. Congratulations go to all of the students for a successful 2023, particularly those whose achievements were recognised at the award ceremonies.
It has been a very busy November/December for Berrigan Shire Council. On the 23rd of November we were honoured to host Governor of NSW Margaret Beazley KC AC. The Governor’s visit included a tour of the WAAAF creek walk guided by representatives from Rotary and artist Sivonne Banks followed by lunch on the upper deck of the Tocumwal Foreshore Building with the Tocumwal Foreshore Committee. The Governor and her staff, who had not visited the area before, were most complimentary with one indicating that they would be certain to return for a holiday in the near future.
The lunch with the Governor was ably catered by Rick Shaw and team who will be the new lessee of the upstairs restaurant at the foreshore building. Everyone was impressed by the fare and are looking forward to visiting the new restaurant when it opens in February.
Councillors have continued to advocate for our community since my last report on a range of matters. In spite of our best efforts the Water Amendment (Restoring Our Rivers) Bill 2023 has now passed the Senate and seems likely to be set in legislation in the new year. Council now turns its attention to the state government whom we insist should walk away from the Murray Darling Basin Plan in the same manner that the Victorian government has.
Prior to our December Council meeting, Councillors met with representatives from Health Infrastructure NSW and Murrumbidgee Local Health District about the Concept Plan for Finley Hospital. We expressed our disappointment with the proposal and made it clear in no uncertain terms that it was simply not good enough. I have written to the Health Minister Ryan Park MP to express our concerns. A copy of that letter will be available with the January Council papers.
On a brighter note, it has been wonderful to see our towns come alive with Christmas. Thank you to the volunteers who have put in the effort to decorate the towns. A special thank you must go to the organisers of the Carols events which are happening, for the first time in a while, in all four of our towns. It is wonderful how these celebrations bring together our community every year. A special shout out must go to the JBS Gospel Choir who performed at the Barooga Advancement Group’s Carols. It was a surprising and wonderful performance and provided a real opportunity for our visitors from the Solomon Islands to be welcomed into the Berrigan Shire community.
Finally, I would like to take this opportunity to thank Karina Ewer, the CEO of Berrigan Shire Council, and her staff for their contributions through the year. The team put in considerable effort to support our community that does not go unnoticed. I would also like to thank my fellow Councillors for their contributions.
I wish all of the Berrigan Shire community a happy and safe Christmas and New Year. May you enjoy this special time of year with friends and family.
Dr Julia Cornwell McKean
MAYOR BERRIGAN SHIRE COUNCIL