INTRODUCTION: The Restore Bathurst Team - John Fry, Cathie Hale, Jim Blackwood, Sally Neaves and Rohan Hale are all dedicated to restoring a smart liveable Bathurst with water and climate security and more green spaces. We will work with all councillors and directors to become a functional council with decent and legal standards of conduct. As a key regional city we have to embrace emerging industries in information and data technology, electric transport infrastructure and renewable energy. We will support a dynamic CBD business environment with entertainment, tourism and Wiradyuri culture and colonial heritage. We recognise that we have an infrastructure backlog and we need to plan now for a population of 60,000 by 2040.
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PRIORITIES:
Restore Bathurst's top three priorities are:
Water, climate, energy and food security in a biodiverse, cool, green, dynamic region.
Smart and renewable energy and communications industries, development, education and training.
Sustainable infrastructure and development for new subdivisions, housing, industries.
BIMC: Restore Bathurst fully supports an energy and water efficient, people friendly Bathurst Integrated Medical Centre (BIMC) and the proposed multi - level carpark. We support a one off height limit exemption for the BIMC only.
WATER SECURITY: In residential areas we will initiate water reuse and domestic storage projects. In our water catchments we will restore and regenerate soils, increase farm production, rebuild wetlands and underground aquifers to store flood water for future droughts.
Restore Bathurst will continue working with home owners, businesses, community groups, state and federal governments, engineers, farmers and scientists to build a secure water future for the Bathurst region as a response to climate change.
RIVER CROSSING: Restore Bathurst supports Councils consultants recommendations for a second crossing from Eleven Mile Drive to Bradwardine Road.
AMBULANCE STATION: Restore Bathurst supports calling for expressions of interest for the adaptive reuse of the Ambulance Station while preserving the heritage values.
GO-KART TRACK: We support the construction of state government/privately funded go kart track on the best location. Experts have told us that the Rayners Orchard site will not comply with noise impacts.
RATES CAP: If we are part of the new council, we will request the General Manager to produce a detailed report on the benefits of a one off rate increase to fund the critical infrastructure backlog.
BUSINESS COMMUNITY: We will continue to support local businesses by council staff working on promoting our region to tourists, government agencies, new businesses, and people relocating to Bathurst. We will regularly consult with local business and increase communications to enable businesses to operate without unnecessary regulations.
WOMEN'S VOICE: We support more women being elected to councils for better decision making. Currently there are about 2,200 male candidates and 1,600 women candidates contesting the local government elections on December 4. We would like to see women candidate nominations increase.
COUNCIL DIVISIONS: Councillors will always disagree on many issues. We will work with all councillors to reduce public conflict and grandstanding by individuals, and enable civil, intelligent and informed debate.
FUNDING: The majority of the Restore Bathurst campaign costs are being funded by the lead candidate. The Restore Bathurst team and the former Cathie Hale team have received some donations from a small number of private residents of Bathurst who share our policies, and are not developers, real estate agents, or have political aspirations.