July Mayor's Message

Published on 26 July 2023

If these frosty mornings are telling us anything, it is that winter is well and truly upon us. The farmers crops are looking great, winter sports are in full swing and most of us are looking forward to footy and netball finals which signals the warm weather starting to return.

When I drive past the Murray River, my frustrations of the consistent extreme levels and volume of water is at boiling point. The impacts this is having on our businesses, especially those who rely on tourism is evident, these businesses have suffered enough. My hope is that come spring, those who manage our water have a better handle on the management of our precious asset.

I recently has the pleasure of opening the Youth Futures event at the Finley Community and Sporting Complex. Guest speaker and local film maker Aaron Wilson lent his experience and knowledge to students from Finley High School. From all accounts, it was a day the students really enjoyed.

I met with the Heritage Rail NSW at the Finley Railway Museum. This volunteer community is a hard-working group that want to preserve the history of rail in Finley. They are working closely with Heritage Rail to ensure the railway building and all its history are there for our community to enjoy for decades to come.

Country Mayors Association is an advocacy body made up of over 80 members. I am proud to represent Berrigan Shire Council in this collective. They hold four meeting a year in which members of both the government and opposition are invited to present their positions on policy. This allows Country Mayors to advocate their position on behalf of rural and regional NSW. It also allows individual Mayors and Council to meet with relevant Ministers around issues that are directly impacting on our shire and region.

Recently Steph Cooke MP, Shadow Minister for Water, addressed Country Mayors virtually, around our water assets that are managed by Council. This is another platform that Mayors, General Managers and/or Chief Executive Officers can get access to representatives of both sides of Government.

The last sessions of our Councillor Listening Posts are being held in both Tocumwal and Finley today. I encourage you to attend and have a discussion with your elected representatives.

Finley Library 10am-11am, Tocumwal Library 5pm-6pm.