BATHURST Regional Council is planning a budget in excess of $200 million for 2016-17 – a jump of more than $10 million on the budget for the current financial year.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
It is expected to include around $60 million in spending on capital works projects, including water infrastructure for the rapidly growing Kelso area, flood mitigation at Perthville and the new Hereford Street rugby league fields and clubhouse.
But the big winner will be the proposed second track and industrial and commercial precinct at Mount Panorama, Velocity Park, which will be allocated $15 million from council for development under the new budget.
Council’s budget for the current financial year came in at $189 million.
Mayor Gary Rush released details of the big spend at yesterday’s annual business leaders’ lunch at Rydges Mount Panorama.
At the same time he announced that a new website has been created for the Bathurst business community.
Cr Rush took centre stage at the function to launch the Bathurst Business Hub website.
Council partnered with the NSW Department of Industry to develop the site, which Cr Rush says will provide a “central hub” for the business community, including detailed information for local businesses, start-ups and business relocations.
The website features information relating to available grants/incentives; workshops and business events; economic statistics; business start-up factsheets; industry awards; businesses for sale and franchise opportunities; and key industry contacts.
“This is an extension of the Bathurst Business Hub Facebook page which went live in May last year,” Cr Rush said.
“The website provides business owners from across the region, as well as those considering moving to Bathurst, with links to relevant information they need at various stages of a business’ life cycle in one convenient location.
“Council identified that the Bathurst business community needed a dedicated online resource where applicable business information could be sourced.
“With the help of NSW Trade and Investment, the Bathurst Business Hub concept has been developed and it clearly has huge potential.
“This is groundbreaking for Bathurst and no doubt other councils around the state will now look closely at what we have created and follow our lead.
“It’s one of the reasons why Bathurst is ranked fourth in NSW and 15th in Australia when it comes to an assessment of what local government does for local businesses.”
Other capital works projects on the agenda apart from Velocity Park include:
Mount Panorama pit complex industrial lift.
Water reservoir/water infrastructure for Kelso.
Flood mitigation works for Perthville.
Stage two of the Adventure Playground.
Railway Institute building and car park.
Hereford Street rugby league fields and clubhouse.
Boundary fencing, extension of the aircraft parking apron and parallel taxiway at the aerodrome.
Internal fitout and refurbishment at the library.
Playground at Freeman Circuit, Llanarth.
Roads to Recovery: Lachlan Road, Redhill Road, Goldies Road, Napoleon Reef Road, White Rock Road, Freemantle Road.
Rivulet timber bridge replacement.
