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What actions can we include in our plan to improve the future of the Manning Valley? Key theme: Fixing our roads and bridges
The discussion paper sets out "The Big Four" emerging themes from the first round of consultation for the 20 year Manning Valley Community Plan. These included:
Respecting our environment;
Fixing our roads and bridges;
Providing employment opportunities; and
Building a sense of hope and pride
Refer to pages 32 to 34 in section three of the discussion paper relating to fixing our roads and bridges.
Key themes include: what is the backlog, why our roads are deteriorating, what's happening with our bridges, what's happening with our other assets, what can be done to fix our roads, increasing investment, improving techniques and improving planning.
Our infrastructure backlog is a critical issue at $170 read more
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Comment 1 2 Dec 2009, 10:42 AM
If rates are going up, which i feel is acceptable in light of the infrastructure backlog (due to poor previous management and poor councillors decisions amongst other things) then the entire increase should be towards the backlog and not any other projects.
Comment 1.1 15 Dec 2009, 10:25 PM
As someone on a fixed income, a pension, my answers to the 3 questions above are No, No and Yes. The suggestion in question 3 that our infrastructure would continue to decline is an emotive statement written by Council. Put simply, our infrastructure is in decline because our Council did not maintain our infrastructure, but decided instead to spend the money we gave them in rates and levies on something else that was not as essential as our infrastructure. Council mismanaged the resource we gave them and they now want us to bail them out. Sorry, but based on past experience, and even if we had extra to give, we would not trust this Council to spend our money wisely.
Comment 1.1.1 16 Dec 2009, 12:29 PM
As someone on a pension I assume you won't be around much longer to see the effects doing nothing will have on the community. As a mother of a 5 and 2 year old I think it would be remiss of us to do nothing. Perhaps instead of continually laying blame with the current council it might be time to have a bit of a look back at ourselves. Who is it that has elected our Councillors every 4 years for the last 50 years? The Ratepayers! Since this is a problem that has developed over the last 50 years more…
Comment 1.1.1.1 17 Dec 2009, 9:31 PM
Please, hope08, do not attack the comments made by your fellow ratepayers when you clearly dont understand their financial position, know their age, or how long more they "will be around". I hope to be around for a long time, but like everyone else, I dont know exactly for how long.
I am pleased to see that you want to do something for your children, and I am glad you can afford the cost. What you have to realise is that most locals are not in the same position as you. It is well known that this area is very more…
Comment 1.1.1.1.1 18 Dec 2009, 2:57 PM
Liam, this is a forum. With a reply button for retorts. I was merely exercising my right to do so.
Sorry if I offended you.
Comment 1.2 16 Dec 2009, 3:16 PM
I also think we have to place the current situation and problems squarely at the previous smt and and their failure to address this before now! When are these people going to become accountable?
Comment 2 2 Dec 2009, 8:02 PM
I can't see how as a community we can sit back and let option 3 run. While I'd be happy with option 2, I understand that there would be greater agreement to option 1. But option 3 is a no go, no improvement means that our investments subsequently decrease in value. While I agree that any revenue raised should address backlog as a priority lets not lose sight of the value of being seen as progressive - you attract so much more external interest.
Comment 3 16 Dec 2009, 12:50 PM
I would be prepared to support option 1 only. I think it takes into account people can't afford a massive increase, while also not allowing infrastucture currently in place to just deteriorate for the future generation to deal with. We are currently looking at a 60% increase in electricity costs in the next 3 years, after just having a 20% increase this year. What extra benefits are we getting for this increase? Water is also increasing and Mid Coast Water has a miniscule amount of infrastructure to deal with in comparison to Council. There is no evidence they have been managing their money properly considering they lost a hefty amount in overseas investments during the GFC. I say thank you to Council for giving us an opportunity to have a say. I just hope people start being more positive about the change and offer some constructive criticism rather then just negative "council bashing".
Comment 4 17 Dec 2009, 9:58 PM
I would not trust this Council to spend one extra penny of rates. Funds are wasted daily such as on this web site, hiring commercial firms to undertake reports that Council staff should be doing themselves. I would like to know what all the staff in Council Chambers actually do. I would also like to know how much the flash swimming pool complex that is located outside walking distance for the entire population is costing. How much do we spend on the Art gallery? Where have all the funds from the new sub-divisions gone? We need an Administrator - NOW
Comment 4.1 19 Dec 2009, 4:26 PM
With the funds saved from the disposal of non performing assets and comprehensive review of all forms of Council expenditure aimed at identyfying waste and savings, these $ could be used to repair our ailing road and bridge network. When will Council undertake this excercise? Surely,fixing roads and bridges is our priority.However, Council borrows $5 million dollars (December 2009)for urgent Airport runway and bridge repairs.Why did they take this course of action when the first point should of been undertaken as responsible corporate governance?. Where is the business plan for the management of GTCC Airport? When will this document be made available for public comment?Council claim they have $25 million dollars invested but continually state this money is unable to be used. It is about time Council articulated why OUR money cant be used in preference to seeking loan finance.
Comment 4.1.1 21 Dec 2009, 11:28 AM
Roads are a non-performing asset, and I reckon they're probably council's biggest asset. Why would you want to dispose of them?
Seriously, isn't it time to look past simplistic solutions? Ignoring everything but roads and bridges isn't the way to go forward.
Comment 5 21 Dec 2009, 11:21 AM
I prefer Option 2. My rates are about $800 per year, so 25% of that is $200, or $4 a week.
I am prepared to give up 1 cup of coffee a week to help the whole community.
Maybe during the 5-year period we'll get rid of the stupid rate=pegging by the State Government so future councils are able to charge increases at the CPI. Then we'll be able to keep up with our maintenance costs.
Comment 5.1 23 Dec 2009, 10:15 AM
OldB,
Don't you realise that only for the State Governments' rate pegging rule this council would have taxed us out of our homes by now. Do you really believe that because you can afford big rate increases everyone else can too? Believe me they can not. Dont forget that this council has increased our rates and taxes over the years, every year, plus additional rate increases above the increase pegged by the State Government, yet we are still in a mess simply because council mismanaged our hard earned money. What makes you think that council can be trusted. Past experience tells me otherwise.
Comment 5.2 10 Jan 2010, 8:29 PM
My rates are over $1600 (including a pensioner discount). I certainly cannot afford much more considering that cattle prices are still the same as I was getting 18 years ago. For my $1600 I get an extremely bumpy dirt road and then a fully potholed bitumen road into town. I have no time or inclination to use any other facilities provided by this Council - we are too busy working to keep our heads above water. It is depressing to find that the city/country divide is still in existence in our beautiful rural area with the same lack of understanding of rural issues by town and beach dwellers.
Comment 6 30 Dec 2009, 12:37 PM
I would like to know what COUNCIL is prepared to do about our infrastructure backlog, seeing as how it was council that got us into this position in the first place by not spending our rates and taxes on essentials.
Ratepayers need to realise that the holders of our council executive positions were not, and are not, there for the long haul. They were, and are, just passing through. To them an executive position with GTCC is just a stepping stone to a higher position elsewhere, so, in order to look good at the interview for their next position they more…