Council hosts final Fit for the Future presentations

9 April, 2015Posted in: Community, Events
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Wingecarribee Shire Council is inviting residents to attend a presentation explaining the challenges faced by Council in the lead up to the NSW State Government’s Fit for the Future deadline.

Hosting the presentations will be Council’s General Manager, Ann Prendergast.

“Many people would have heard the term Fit for the Future since the State Government announced the reforms in September last year,” Ms Prendergast said.  “But for a lot of people, the phrase – let alone the process behind it – is still very confusing.”

“We thought that one of the easiest ways to clear up some of this confusion would be to host information sessions and explain what these reforms mean for Council and the wider community.”

In brief, Fit for the Future is a long-term strategy implemented by the NSW State Government last year designed to make all councils across the State more sustainable and financially secure.

These reforms are intended to provide communities across the State with confidence that their council is financially sound, operating efficiently and in a strong position to guide community growth and deliver quality services.

All of the State’s 152 local councils have until 30 June 2015 to demonstrate their ‘fitness’, which will then be assessed by a panel of independent experts.  Some councils may merge as a result of the reforms.

“Importantly, Wingecarribee Shire has not been identified by the State Government for merger or amalgamation as many metropolitan councils have,” Ms Prendergast said.  “But even councils that are functioning well still have to demonstrate to the State Government how they propose to strengthen their operations and improve their efficiencies.”

“For us this means developing strategies to ensure our maintenance budget is being spent as effectively as it can and making sure we’re investing sufficiently in asset renewals like roads and footpaths,” Ms Prendergast said.

Fit for the Future presentations were held in March and two further sessions have been announced for:

  • Wednesday 15 April 2015, from 10.30am to 11.30am and from30pm to 6.30pm.

Both presentations will be held in the Council Chambers, located on the first floor of the Council Civic Centre, Elizabeth Street, Moss Vale.

“We encourage any residents interested in learning more about Fit for the Future to attend one of these sessions where they’ll also have a chance to ask questions and hear about Council’s plans for the future.”

Wingecarribee Shire Mayor Councillor Duncan Gair and senior management of Council will also be in attendance.

Light refreshments will also be provided.

For further information or to RSVP phone 4868 0888.