Mayoral Column - November 2023

Published on 24 November 2023

Things have been busy the past few weeks with plenty going on as we head towards Christmas at the end of the year.

I attended the Local Government New South Wales Conference in Sydney last week and the widening gap in ideologies and priorities between city and country councils was very noticeable. While rural and regional councils continue to attempt to address important issues such as financial sustainability, some of the “rich” city councils have no such problems. Frustratingly however, they attract the same Federal Financial Assistance Grants as we do, even if they have a $22 million dollar surplus at the end of the financial year! It just doesn’t seem fair to me.

This is a good segway to our Council’s efforts to make the rates paid by our three rate paying groups - farmers, residential and business - more equitable. This was the constant message we received at last year’s public consultation meetings over the proposed Special Rate Variation and we have come up with a plan after an extensive review of the current model.  We have finished our public consultation on the issue but there is still a few days left to make your comments on the matter by accessing our ‘Have Your Say’ online engagement portal on our website, or by emailing or mailing your thoughts to council@leeton.nsw.gov.au. Submissions can be made until Monday, 27 November 2023.

There are plenty of concerns over the Federal Government’s plan to introduce buybacks of water in our communities. The 450 gigalitres is a lot of water, especially when you consider we need about 620 gigalitres to irrigate our area. Leeton Shire Council has been very proactive in advocating in this space and have met with Federal Senators and written to a number of politicians to voice our concerns. We were also a driving force at the recent public rally held in Mountford Park and are grateful for all those who attended to lend their support.  

I was lucky enough to be asked to be an “extra” in Jake Speer’s short film “Lords of the Soil” which was filmed in Pioneer Park Griffith and on a private property in Darlington Point. Jake of course is a Leeton boy and the story is a great one and I am looking forward to seeing the final product early next year. As well as Jake, Leeton was also represented by Elijah Ingram, who played a significant role in the production, as well as Robyn Hutchinson who was busy designing clothes and props. Well done to all involved.

More good news for Leeton locals at the recent Murrumbidgee Irrigation Annual General Meeting. John Houghton was elected as a B Class Member Director while Tracey Valenzisi was appointed Chairperson for the upcoming year.  Former resident and Leeton Phantom, Niall Blair, was also elected as an Independent Director. It is great to have that local input on these types of boards and I congratulate them on their appointments.

Regards,
Mayor Cr Tony Reneker