THIS week I have continued to hear numerous Bathurst ratepayers express concern about knowing little, if anything at all, about almost two-thirds of the brave souls who have nominated for the upcoming local government election.
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There lies the predicament.
Voters have one chance in four years – though this time around it will be one chance in three years, due to the need to bring Bathurst Regional Council back into line with the normal election schedule after the NSW Government’s failed amalgamation process - to get rid of non-performing elected representatives.
But how do voters replace the candidates they perceive as having “had their time” if they know little about the potential replacements?
Counting fence’s cost
WELL, the cost continues to climb for the kangaroo fence around the orchard on College Road, where the Bathurst Kangaroo Project trapped and tranquilised more than 400 roos before relocating them to the Capertee Valley.
Council, too, has almost completed the removal of all the fruit trees and will soon start demolishing unwanted buildings on the same site before the fence is removed to allow other Mount roo residents to move in.
I estimate the fence has been up for close to 12 months, costing ratepayers roughly $90,000, but I suspect council’s total contribution for this project will exceed $150,000.
That’s a lot of barbecues for the Sportsground council did not want to fund.
Question without answer
AS it’s election time, it is appropriate to ask why council doesn’t open the Sportsground or Carrington Park for daytime parking for CBD workers.
I have suggested this numerous times, without receiving any explanation as to why it’s not an option.
What’s the quote? Please explain!
Below the surface
LAST week I again raised the issue of hollow joint cracks within the relatively new surface of Mount Panorama. Concerned as I am, I wrote to the Bathurst Regional Council general manager, copying all the councillors.
I also copied the local federal member and the relevant federal minister as the funding was given from the Federal Government.
I have been told that we can rest easy because council engineering staff say it’s not an issue.
Hmm, I’m no engineer, but my research suggests water is the mortal enemy of road surfaces. I poured almost three litres of water down one crack on Pit Straight and it all disappeared out of sight.
So maybe we can have an explanation of why this “new” road surface has hollow joint cracks after three years when the “old”, which was replaced after 13 years, did not have hollow joint cracks?
Thumbs up
THE first glimpses of spring, with ornamental pears throughout the city breaking out into bloom. But don’t put the jumpers away yet.
Thumbs down
A NON-EVENT local government campaign with little candidate policy promotion. So it may be a case of “pin the tail on the candidate” when voting.
