And that is what I believe is the total lack of leadership shown by then mayor Gary Rush and the other eight elected representatives (most of whom will be seeking re-election in September) who allowed this proposal to be delayed, resulting in Bathurst missing out on millions of dollars. 

The noise generated by a few greenies protesting about this proposal was farcical when you look at the proposal objectively. 

Regis Resources wanted to purchase 10 megalitres of treated water (that is roughly the volume contained in 10 Olympic pools) per day for a minimum of 10 years, paying over $1 million per annum.

The deal could have run for 15 to 20 years if the proposed mine life was extended. 

The quantity of water proposed, 10 megalitres, represented less than 0.010 per cent of the average flow of water over many years in the Macquarie River downstream of Bathurst, so any suggestion that diverting this volume of water away from the river would have a detrimental effect on the river system was melodramatic or, to be blunt, simply wrong.

A private company will now pocket millions of dollars over the life of the mine instead of these funds being spent on legacy infrastructure projects around Bathurst as this council did not show affirmative leadership to sign up Regis Resources to a deal that ensured a win-win for the region. 

I wonder if this type of leadership will be the norm if a Greens Party ticket is elected to Bathurst Regional Council in September.

THE Bathurst Winter Festival held last weekend was an unbelievable success. 

Clearly there is some fine-tuning required, but on the whole, congratulations should be extended to council’s events team and sponsors. 

Feedback from the punters suggests they want a bigger selection of food vendors (to reduce the time taken in queues), possibly with a multicultural flavour to widen the event’s appeal, and more amusement rides. 

Local restaurants, cafes and fast food shops were the beneficiaries of long queues as punters searched wider than Kings Parade for dinner.

STILL on the winter festival, I'm sure there is an opportunity to illuminate some of Bathurst's fine heritage architecture throughout the city to give a wider appeal to the event next year. 

The Catholic Cathedral looks great and I'm sure other prominent buildings would too, so if council could source some cheap projection equipment that could be hired from year to year, I'm sure it would help the event get bigger and bigger.

THE Bathurst Winter Festival bringing the city alive, but going by the queues for food, more vendors and more variety are required.

BATHURSTIANS driving in thick fog without their lights on! Worse, Bathurstians driving dangerously with frost-covered windscreens. It's not hard to throw some warm water over the windscreen.