The Cove was well represented at Council's Community Meeting in Tea Gardens last week by six locals including five Residents Association Committee members. Glenn Hanford, the General Manager of Great Lakes Council briefed the meeting on plans and challenges as part of an ongoing commitment to keep the community informed of what Council is and will be doing. Some key points from the meeting are summarised below under headings provided by Council.
1. Road Upgrade Program. Council has identified all roads under 5 categories from very good to very poor. It would like to be able to maintain all roads at least to 'fair' status. Current funding levels make that difficult. This ongoing program is contingent on the level of government funding. At present in the whole area of Great Lakes 7% are graded as 'very poor' and 8% as 'poor'. These roads will be given priority over the next 10 years. Council hopes to put the road grading list on their website soon.
2. Key Focus Areas. Glenn stated that there will be no change in valuations this year. The 2.3% increase that has been rate pegged will occur. For 2014-15, $18.5milllion will be spent on the capital works program, $11.5million on roads, bridges, footpaths and drainage, and $2.8million on waste management.
3. Tcorp Review. Under a risk assessment undertaken of all councils in NSW Great lakes Council has been rated "moderate". Over half the council areas were rated poorer than this. Great Lakes is one of only three Councils on the North Coast that are considered viable. Council is however relying on government grants, which amount to approximately $6million a year, to maintain sustainability. About $700,000 of this is spent each year on roads.
4. Long Term Financial Plan. Council is aiming towards a surplus in 2020 which will be reserved for future use and to balance budgets. Glenn used graphs to show the complexities of future growth and sustainability of the Council. Council is aiming at balanced budgets each year. Unexpected payments such as additional $120,000 to RFS impinge on plans. Council is also required to pay the state government $50-75 a ton for wastage.
5. Improvement through technology. Council is reviewing use of technology to disseminate information to the community and improve service delivery.
Other major projects that will be considered:
- moving of present services in Tea Gardens to a new civic precinct near Coles;
- being more responsive to aged clientele of the area by establishing an Aging Centre of Excellence;
- possible rate increase to cover cost of road improvements.
Current government funding is under threat and without it council cannot continue present programs. Several options to increase funding locally were presented. These are likely to be canvassed next year. Glenn also mentioned that grants for libraries is under threat. Glenn asked those present to petition the State Government re an increase rather than a decrease.
