This initiative aims to promote awareness, communication and opportunities for the people and organisations of our two regional communities based on friendship, commerce, education, sport and tourism.

Council approached Cirencester Town Council in 2016 to form an official friendship arrangement and we are now seeing the results of this initiative in action with bonds and friendships between our two communities growing.

Eighteen-year-old Alice Chandler is currently visiting Bathurst as part of a student exchange project between Cirencester and Bathurst.

Alice is being hosted with local families who are giving her an insight into what life is like in our beautiful city.

I am certain that Alice will take her experience and memories during her time here home to Cirencester and in the years to come our communities will take part in similar projects.

What an amazing weekend we had for this year’s Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000.

There was a total attendance of more than 200,000 over the four days which culminated in Craig Lowndes, partnering with Steve Richards, achieving a stunning seventh win on Sunday.

We were honoured to have Prime Minister Scott Morrison visit our city on Sunday to experience the atmosphere and excitement of race day.

I sincerely thank council staff for their fabulous efforts before, during and after race week.

The smooth operation of all council facilities and services during this time is a testament to great planning, preparation and execution.

Thank you for a job very well done.

AROUND 300 tradies in the Bathurst electorate will save more than $430,000 over 10 years by not having to renew their licences every three years as part of the NSW Government’s Better Business Reforms.

This decision follows extensive public consultation, which showed significant support for retaining 13 home building licences.

This is a fantastic outcome for consumers and our local tradies, because it maintains important protections while also reducing costs. We’re keeping all 13 home building licences because we need skilled and qualified tradies, but we’re also reducing the financial burden on our small businesses.

Renewal fees will drop from up to $605 every three years to just a $51 processing fee for tradies to update their details every five years, which will give them more money to pay the bills, put food on the table and help their businesses grow, while also saving considerable time.

The licences that will be supported through these changes include decorating, painting, fencing, glazing, kitchen and bathroom bench top installation, splash back installation, paving, shower screen installation, ducting/mechanical ventilation, shade sails and shade systems installation, dry plastering, wet plastering and minor maintenance/cleaning.

This is about making it easier for tradies and consumers.

Boating season around the corner

AS the temperature rises, we’ll see more and more anglers, water sports enthusiasts and recreational boaters hitting the waterways and dams in our region.

Warmer weather is synonymous with water and boats, but it comes with important responsibilities regarding safety on the water.

Safety equipment should be carefully inspected, including checking lifejackets are in good working condition and flotation devices are in working order.

Items such as flares, distress beacons and fire extinguishers should be replaced if they have passed their expiry date.