The first few months as a new councillor has been a steep learning experience, involving both legal and technical briefings from both within and outside of council.
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Nevertheless, I have hit the ground running and had the opportunity attend the Local Government Conference in Wollongong in October.
The Camden Haven community have waited decades for a new Stingray Creek bridge, but the wait is almost over.
I took the opportunity at the October Council meeting in Laurieton to ask a question on notice about the Stingray Creek bridge.
A report was produced for the November meeting outlining that the bridge would be open for northbound traffic sometime in December and in both directions in early 2017. Work will continue until the middle of 2017 to dismantle and demolish the old bridge and the temporary construction bridge and for wetland rehabilitation.
Council has recently endorsed the concept of new signage at the entrance of each of our towns and villages. Over the next few months there will be further community engagement to finalise the images or themes that represent our individual villages.
In order to divide the workload between the 8 Councillors and the Mayor, Council has implemented a portfolio structure whereby individual Councillors develop expertise over an area of council’s delivery platform.
As such, I am delighted to be chairing the Planning, Environment and Sustainability portfolio and the alternative chair of the External Grants and Revenues portfolio.
Councillor Lee Dixon will be chairing the Towns Villages and Public Spaces portfolio and alternative chair of the Roads and Transport Infrastructure.
I will also be the chair of the Port Macquarie-Hastings Access Sub-Committee, which exists to ensure that all members of our community are able to access the facilities in our community.