From the Mayor - 31 January 2019
Happy New Year and best wishes for a healthy, safe and prosperous 2019. I trust all residents enjoyed quality down time and are ready to embrace a well-connected, productive and positive year.
Over many hot, sunny days our harbour beaches experienced astronomical visitor numbers during the New Year holiday period. Between 26 December and 2 January, the Balmoral Baths and the Tramshed amenities blocks chalked up 40,000 visits, with both facilities slated for much needed, well-deserved renovations and upgrade works during 2019.
Many residents continue to ask me for news regarding the potential Woolworths development in our village. I can inform residents that no DA has yet been received by Council but senior planning staff have informed me that Woolworths are planning to conduct community consultation. I encourage all residents to engage, participate and have your say regarding this significant community issue.
Council has a number of capital works programs underway. One in particular, the indoor garden and study zone area, has been completed at the Barry O’Keefe Library in time for the commencement of the 2019 school year. Our library continues to attract record numbers of visitors and I have no doubt this new area will be well patronised and enjoyed by all library visitors.
Council’s first major event for 2019 was the Australia Day Citizenship Ceremony. Together the community celebrated 46 local residents becoming Australian Citizens and I had the honour of announcing the 2019 Citizen of the Year and Youth Citizen of the Year. I would like to take this opportunity to thank our outgoing 2018 recipients, Vicki Condon, William Tuck and Melissa Thompson.
Council is back to business on 5 February with Question Time starting from 6.40pm and all visitors are most welcome. In addition, my monthly youth open door program starts up again on 4 February.
In closing, I acknowledge 2018 came to a spectacular end bathed in glorious light from the Prince Albert Street Christmas street party which raised $20,000 for Juvenile Diabetes Research. I again thank the organising committee and residents for their creative efforts and community commitment to such an important cause.