Eight years ago, Palerang council could only be described as a shambles. It was so bad that the cheque account was as low as $60.00 and the bank rang to say they could not pay any more cheques. Please be assured your council is now financially sound. For example, the employee leave entitlement reserve is 70% cash funded. All other reserves are adequate. Council consistently budgets for $1.00 cash surplus and always achieves that goal, near enough.

In the last four years, particularly, there has been a considerable infrastructure upgrade.  For example, in Braidwood , there is a new Sewerage Treatment Plant, and a new Water Treatment Plant pending. In Bungendore there has been huge augmentation to The Sewerage Treatment  Plant, and to the potable water supply, when Butmaroo comes on stream. There is now a state-of-the-art Waste Transfer Station at the Flat, and three more in the pipeline. Roads and bridges have not been neglected.

No matter what you may have heard or read, the integrity and motives, of your council, have been, and are, beyond reproach.

At the end of the last council meeting, I took the opportunity to thank the General Manager, Peter Bascomb, on your behalf, for his outstanding management of Palerang Council. In his very gracious reply Peter Bascomb gave every credit to all the staff.

Congratulations to the newly elected councillors. I have no doubt that Palerang will continue to grow, and go from strength to strength.

Again, thank you. It has been both an exhilarating and humbling experience.