Local Government Week reflection on projects delivered by Council

Published on 10 August 2021

Due to the current Covid-19 restrictions, Local Government Week in the Liverpool Plains Shire was necessarily a subdued event, however Mayor, Councillor Doug Hawkins OAM, said it did provide an opportunity to reflect on the range and diversity of services Council provides on behalf of the community.

“This range and diversity includes everything from community events, a childcare centre, libraries, home support services for our older citizens, sports fields, parks, a gym, swimming pools and cemeteries, to building and development, water and sewer services, project delivery, waste disposal, ServiceNSW agency, and pet welfare. Our community would be much the poorer if these services weren’t available,” he said.

“To deliver these services and the major projects Council undertakes requires a team effort. I’d like to pay tribute to my fellow councillors who often have to make hard decisions but do so because they have the best interests of the community and the Shire’s future as a priority. Also, the General Manager, the Directors and all Council staff work diligently to ensure delivery is carried out efficiently and responsibly. Their efforts to successfully secure millions of dollars of funding from the other tiers of government for a raft of projects has been nothing short of amazing. These are projects that benefit us now and leave a legacy for future generations. They benefit a wide, cross section of our community and would never have been possible if we were dependent upon our small rate base,” he continued.

Councillor Hawkins said that he’d recently compiled a list of projects that have been undertaken or are currently underway since 2016. He said this list runs to several pages and includes both large projects that benefit many across the Shire and smaller projects that have added to amenity in the villages. He added that the vast majority followed public consultation and partnerships with communities and user groups. He said some of the major projects that will provide long-term benefits include:

• The Liverpool Plains Recreation Strategy – This has seen a multi-million dollar investment in the ongoing redevelopment at Quirindi Showground, the provision of a new grandstand and amenities block at David Taylor Oval Werris Creek, improvements at Quirindi’s Longfield Oval and Golland Field, the refurbishment of Milner Parade Tennis Courts and the provision of a new Basketball/Netball complex to provide a sporting hub that provides for Shire residents from all age groups. It has also seen smaller projects undertaken at Warrah Creek, Willow Tree, Spring Ridge and Currabubula.
  
  
• Improved Transport Links – Council has undertaken projects like the bitumen seal of Williewarina and Mystery Roads to improve cross country links for the transport of the Shire’s important agricultural commodities. The completion of the realignment and bitumen seal of the western portion of Merriwa within the Shire was completed, the final section of the Callaghans Lane bitumen seal will be completed soon and another section of Blackville Road has been sealed. Council met recently with our State MPs seeking extra support and will provide them with a strategic plan to try and secure extra funding for major roadwork projects. Council is also arranging a meeting with Federal Member, Barnaby Joyce, to discuss other opportunities.  
  
  
• LPS Water Strategy and Quipolly Water Project (QWP) – The implementation of the strategy has been a priority for Council for many years to further drought proof the Shire’s water supplies. It has seen the pipeline built between Quirindi and Willow Tree, the augmentation of the Wallabadah water supply, new bores sunk for the Quirindi and Caroona water supplies and a number of bores redeveloped to provide supply for sporting facilities in Quirindi and Werris Creek to reduce their reliance on water from the town treated supplies. The QWP is the biggest capital works program that Council has ever undertaken. It is a vital project to replace the aging water treatment plant in Werris Creek that has passed its use by date with a state of the art plant that will improve the quality of water that can be delivered. Towards the end of the last drought, there was concern that Quipolly Dam was dropping to a level where it couldn’t supply the town’s requirements. The linking of various supplies via a pipeline will provide extra security for Werris Creek if this situation arises again in the future.
  
  
• Werris Creek Gap Road Economic Precinct Southern Access - will improve road safety and support increased economic development. Tenders have been received through Local Government Procurement and shortlisted to 3 tenders which are currently being assessed for the design works. Kevin Anderson MP, announced State Government funding for this project in 2020. Council staff are also seeking funding opportunities to carry out a flood study of Werris Creek to compliment this project.
  
  
• Quirindi Library Precinct redevelopment – This project has been funded through grants successfully obtained from NSW Libraries, and the State and Federal Government. This project delivers a contemporary Community, Art and Cultural Hub that is innovative and increases the liveability of our community through improved social infrastructure and programs.

In addition a multitude of other projects have been delivered around the Shire which include;

• New pathways and cycleways in Werris Creek, Willow Tree and Quirindi, Stage II of the Werris Creek main street beautification, upgrades at Werris Creek pool, a new pedestrian rail crossing in Willow Tree, the Glenyalla Road Bridge replacement, exterior refurbishment of Premer Community Centre, the relining of selected watermains in Werris Creek and Quirindi, a mechanised street sweeper, refurbishment of units at Summer Hill Lodge, projects to facilitate disabled access, a 24/7 accessible heli-pad at the Emergency Services precinct, a state of the art water dispensing facility, expansion of lawn cemeteries, refurbishment of amenities block at Willow Tree recreation ground and new block at King George V Park, BBQ facilities at Currabubula Freedom Camping area, a new water tank at Blackville, new amenities block George Street Quirindi, improvements to facilities at Eastside Child Care Centre, and a tank and water pump at Currabubula Hall.

“As a Shire community I think we can all be very proud of the incredible progress we’ve made over the last 5 years and there are more projects to be rolled out and in the planning stages. Many more people are looking to escape the city rat race and having the facilities to attract them to our pleasant, rural lifestyle is a bonus. Furthermore, the investment in infrastructure like interconnected transport links and a secure water supply increases the potential to attract industries that can strengthen job opportunities and add economic stimulus to the local economy. There are realistically only two options, to grow or to stagnate, and your Council proactively strives to grow to benefit our current residents and future generations,” Councillor Hawkins said.

“I thank community members who actively participate in Council affairs by attending workshops, consultation sessions and providing suggestions on various projects. It is by harnessing the power of the community we can get better outcomes. I must also highlight the support of our Federal and State Government representatives, Barnaby Joyce, Kevin Anderson and David Layzell for their incredible support in assisting us to gain funding for so many of the projects we’ve been able to deliver for the community,” he concluded.

Media contact – Doug Hawkins 0448 092 932.