This process facilitated the development, review and adoption of the following plans by Council:

* 2013-2023 - Community Strategic Plan

* 2013-2017 - Delivery Program

* 2014-2015 - Operational Plan

* Resourcing Strategy (including the Asset Management Plan (AMP), Long Term Financial Plan (LTFP) and workforce plan.)

While Council has previously endorsed our strategic direction for the next ten years the 2013-2017 Delivery Program was reviewed and outlines various projects to be undertaken in the next four years which are detailed below:

* Grenfell Medical Centre

* Visitor Information Centre

* Grenfell Swimming Pool upgrade

* Grenfell Main Street upgrade

Councils resourcing strategy indicates that these capital projects will be in the future funded in the following ways:

* Loans

* Grant Funding

* Special Rate Variations

* Interest Rate Subsidies

During 2013/2014 the plans and specifications for the Grenfell Medical Centre and Grenfell Swimming Pool upgrade were in the process of being developed. It is anticipated tenders will be called in the 2014/2015 financial year for both projects. The completion of both of these projects will not only assisting in closing our assets infrastructure gap but allow us to continue to provide quality services to our residents. 

The NSW Independent Local Government Review Panel’s final report was also released with the panel making 65 recommendations and advising wide ranging and concerted action is required to make NSW Local Government sustainable and fit-for-purpose into the 21st Century.

The key recommendations for Weddin Shire Council were that we be a Rural Council in the Central West Regional Joint Organisation (RJO) or merge with Forbes or Cowra. Explanations of the new proposals or concepts are explained below with residents no doubt aware of the detrimental and disastrous consequences an amalgamation of our Shire would have:

& Regional Joint Organisation (RJO’s) - would be formed whereby there would be 17 RJO’s statewide. The RJO would be a statutory grouping of Councils established under the Local Government Act, 1993 that undertake a range of high level functions on behalf of their members. 

& Rural Councils - would work as part of the (RJO) with reduced legislative and compliance responsibilities as well as having a lower cost base which would be more appropriate for rural areas. Rural Councils would also have a maximum of five Councillors including the Mayor and no more than 6 Council meetings a year. 

It is important to realise that this report was prepared by an independent review panel and the Minister for Local Government the Hon Don Page had not responded to the report as at 30th June 2014. Minister Page did however reiterated the government’s policy of no forced amalgamations during this term of government which is very encouraging and reassuring.

After reviewing the report Council resolved to not support amalgamations, Rural Councils (subject to further investigation) and endeavour to form regional alliances with surrounding Councils to deliver quality services in an efficient and effective manner. It is anticipated the Minister for Local Government will respond to the Independent Review Panels final report in the 2014/2015 financial year.

It was also very pleasing that Dr Patrick Akhiwu commenced full time on the 3 February 2014 which was very much welcomed by Council and the community. While it has been a long process it is a worthwhile one as the Shire now has two doctors providing GP services in the Shire. Dr Patrick is also attending the Grenfell MPS as a visiting medical officer (VMO) which has seen the hospital re-open and begin to admit patients again which is great news for the Weddin Shire. 

Council’s Roads Maintenance Council Contract (RMCC) with the Roads and Maritime Services (RMS) on SH6 and SH17 continued during 2013/2014 with very good results. Council is accredited to conduct upgrade works to the nominal value of $2,000,000 for each individual project which is very beneficial to Council and the community. Other major works were conducted on various main and local roads with Grenfell streets construction and village works also undertaken.

The official unveiling of the Henry Lawson Statue by the Hon. Katrina Hodgkinson MP on Wednesday 21 May, 2014 was an outstanding success. 

There was a lot of excitement and anticipation in the air as the statue was unveiled in glorious weather conditions in front of a very large crowd. The Henry Lawson Statue project was a joint initiative between State and Local Government and the Grenfell Henry Lawson Festival of Arts committee. The unveiling of the statue was the culmination of a massive amount of work and cooperation between these bodies and our local communities to bring the project to fruition. 

The amount of interest the statue is generating is quite extraordinary with many locals and visitors inspecting the statue and all commenting very favourably. The Statue was particularly popular on the day of the Henry Lawson Festival with people having photos taken all day long. 

The statue also gained exposure on the local news and radio as well as social media. It is anticipated that it will eventually gain national exposure which will attract tourists from all over Australia to Grenfell which will be a huge boost to not only tourism in the Weddin Shire but also to the local business sector. 

The Henry Lawson Statue is very significant as it has seen the return of arguably Australia’s greatest poet to his birthplace, provided Grenfell with a major tourist attraction and given due recognition to Grenfell’s favourite son. 

Council also continues to invest in plant and equipment and information technology allowing staff to operate in a much more efficient and effective environment.

Council also completed upgrade works at the Grenfell Tip and Sewerage Treatment Works allowing these sites to comply with Environment Protection Authority (EPA) requirements.

Other ancillary works included Caravan Park improvements, the development of the Tourism Interpretation and Asset Management Plan for O’Briens Hill, tourism signs upgrades and the Grenfell Lawn Cemetery upgrade works.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank both Councillors and staff for their support, advice and assistance during the 2013/2014 financial year. I look forward to continuing to work with Council’s team in the future to deliver the projects identified and prioritised in the Integrated Planning and Reporting (IPR) process.

CLR MARK LIEBICH

MAYOR