There were only two spare seats in the Old Library as Tim Overall opened the Community Consultation Meeting on Tuesday night.
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Council has hit the ground running since it was elected eight weeks ago, Mr Overall said.
He introduced the various committees and their delegates before handing over to General Manager Peter Tegart.
Mr Tegart introduced the strategic plan, its component parts and key findings.
Portfolio General Manager Phil Hansen then spoke to the integrated transport strategy.
Several members of the community raised questions during the meeting.
Footpaths were a key issue during discussion of the Pedestrian Access and Mobility Strategy and the Integrated Transport Strategy.
The lack of footpaths to schools, over Monkittee Bridge and the Club have come through loud and clear in previous consultation meetings, Mr Hansen said.
Council is excited by the Nerriga Road project, which is likely taking place over a two to three year time frame, Mr Hansen said. Council received $39 million from the state government for the works.
Drainage to Wallace Street will also soon be addressed, the exact time frame is unclear, but it may be towards the end of 2018. Works on its intersection with Lascelles St will also take place in conjunction with this.
Council staff also ran through the regional economic development strategy, the CBD Concept Plan, and the shop local initiative.
Teenager Myrtle Wild read from a petition to council regarding the CBD Concept plan. Signed by representatives from 30 local businesses, the petition emphasised their support for Ryrie Park as the location for a skate park.
The possibility that the council depot behind the National Theatre could be converted into a carpark at some point was a strategy also discussed.
The consultation ended with an information session on responsible dog ownership before a question and answer session.
Questions asked included:
- The possibility of podcasting council meetings,
- The feasibility of the proposed location of the new waste transfer station
- Whether council has a strategy for European Wasps, the council response was to contact pest control
- Which councillors residents should contact with their concerns, the council response was to suggest residents contact those councillors on their local area committee
Mayor Tim Overall thanked those attending and wrapped up the session by emphasising the importance of community input on upcoming projects.
Submissions regarding the draft Community Strategic Plan close December 2, staff are hoping to introduce material gathered to Councillors on December 13