The local Aboriginal Land Council stated in a recent report to council that Mount Panorama has “low cultural” significance to the Aboriginal people, yet the Wiradyuri Traditional owners, a separate registered indigenous corporation, with a handful of members, claims the opposite. 

I have lived in Bathurst most of my life and I have never previously heard any talk of the Mount being a place of "secret women's business" (maybe that's why - because it was a secret).

But now this cultural link has morphed into a potential financial gain through a loyalty claim that has raised a lot of eyebrows in Bathurst. Ratepayers will now spend $250,000 to clarify the true cultural significance of the Mount - essentially to settle a dispute between Aboriginal groups.

But, again, how do we prove one story or the other?

Maybe the Wiradyuri Traditional owners should pay for an independent report themselves.

MY opposition to the kangaroo fence at the Mount continues! 

Last week we were told that 300 or so roos were relocated, which is good news for skippy, but what was not clearly reported was that the general manager was given discretion to leave the fence up in place until October 2017 at a cost of $7500 per month to allow council to continue to clear up the former orchard, which will bring the total fencing cost to around $90,000. 

Oh well, ratepayers will have to wait a little longer to see the fence removed and watch roos from neighbouring properties find a new home at the cleaned-up former orchard. 

I trust this money is coming from the Mount Panorama Fund and not the General Fund, but I think I know the answer.

I NOTE $150,000 is allocated in next year’s budget to resurface the George and Howick streets roundabout. 

Readers will recall that Roads and Maritime Services completed a traffic study at the intersection over two years ago when traffic lights were thought to be the solution. Now it appears the temporary roundabout installed 20 years ago will live for a few more years. 

Hopefully the pedestrian crossings will disappear, replaced with pedestrian islands which will improve traffic flow in both Howick and George streets.

WHAT has happened to the CBD beautification plan? 

This proposal seems dead in the water. Not a word has been spoken since then pharmacist Maurice McNeil threatened to throw himself under a bulldozer should work start in George Street in front of his then business. Talk of fixing or stuffing up Keppel Street seems dead too.

IMPROVEMENTS to the road surface at the Howick and George streets roundabout in the upcoming budget. Howick to Rankin Street needs reconstruction too.

THE kangaroo fence to potentially stay up on the Mount until October to allow council to finish clearing the property at a cost of $7500 per month.