14-02-2022
Councillors are out and about in the shire and on Wednesday 9 February 2022 Mayor Pam Kensit and Deputy Mayor Mandy McDonald visited Binda and Tuena.
“Our first stop was to see Cathy at the Shop,” said Clr McDonald.
“She is the life and soul of Binda. We spoke about how wonderful Binda looked with its new tennis courts, how clean and tidy it is looking, and that it was absolutely delightful to visit Binda”.
The residents had previously been very appreciative of monies Council had obtained last year to repair their amenities block that is now functional, clean and attractive for visitors who stop or shop at Binda. On the opposite side the 400m of footpath along the village entrance was also completed last year and provides a safe path from the church to the local shop.
“But the most important issue they made us aware of was the need to slow down the cars as they travel through the small village at Binda.” said Clr McDonald.
“At a previous Council meeting, it was agreed to use the electronic speeding signs that indicate a smiley face when you are not speeding. These signs have recently been used at Laggan and Taralga villages. I can tell you that the residents are looking forward to using the signs at both Binda and Tuena in the near future.”
The Mayor and Deputy Mayor then visited Tuena where they met with around 15 members of the community.
“It was a really worthwhile, informative meeting,” said Clr McDonald.
“It was just great to hear from the community about what they saw as important, what they needed and wanted. They too wanted speeding reduced through the Tuena village.
The improved northern entrance into the village from north, where hundreds of thousands of dollars was spent on road repairs, storm-water works and bank stabilization was finally completed late last year making the entrance safer from the north but like many other villages across the shire the residents highlighted the deteriorating road conditions. They also noted they were still waiting for the mobile phone towers to be constructed.
While Council is reviewing the recent installation and effects of the baileys bridge off Peelwood road Mayor Kensit and Deputy Mayor McDonald took the opportunity to view the site with the residents to get their perspective of the overall changed conditions.
Mayor Kensit said she looked forward to seeing the final outcome of the review for the whole site.
The mayor and deputy mayor spent several hours in Tuena and stayed for a “fantastic lunch”. Clr McDonald said she especially enjoyed conversing with the residents and visiting the craft shop in Tuena.
“Binda and Tuena are already great villages, but there are things that we, as a Council, could do to make improvements in both the villages” Clr McDonald said.
“We will follow up on the issues raised.”
Councillors are out and about and will continue to visit the residents within the Shire.
Some Councillors are having conversation through one on one meetings to get the individuals perspective on the lay of the land.
While other Councillors like Clr John Searl are working alongside the residents rolling up his sleeves to find out what is important to them
“This weekend I got out my ride-on mower and cut the grass around the Dalton hall in readiness for the ‘Small Halls Festival’ next Thursday17th February at Dalton,” Clr Searl said.
“It is an important event for Dalton and it is great they got included in the Small Halls event.”
Clr Searl was also assisting Gunning Historical Society with their working bee.
“We mucked out the old jail cells in readiness for the next phase of restoration and I was able to find an old uniform from an op shop to dress up one of the mannequins for the jail display,” he said.
The Gunning Bicentennial committee also spoke with Councillor Searl about their Bicentennial event in the first week of March 2022.
“The latest discussions were around the inclusion of 200 years of transport from horse and buggy to the electric and hybrid vehicles of today and we were able to utilise council knowledge and transport regulations to make sure any road use was safe and appropriate,” he said.
If you have any question or comment on what’s happening, feel free to talk to the councillors while they are out and about visiting your village.
Another planned visit for Councillors will be at Bigga on Saturday 26 February at 10am.
“All Councillors are invited to join Pam and myself at Bigga,” said Cr McDonald said.