I had the pleasure of being involved in Women’s Association Electoral seminar in Orange last week – working towards greater participation of women in the Australian democratic and political process.
With over 20 years experience, it is my role to support and champion women to consider participating in political life at a Local Government level or just becoming better informed about Australia’s political systems.
This course was about informing and creating a supportive pathway for women into Local Government
Women are under-represented at every level of Government in Australia. We are only 37% across State and Territory assemblies, around 44% within Federal Parliament and 38% within councils across the country.
The next NSW Local Government elections will be held on Saturday 14 September.
Large scale flood repairs and with several major capital projects our expenditure is higher than normal. Council has not however received all the payment of flood monies and other grants.
The majority of funds owed to Council is for flood repair works that Council is carrying out on its own network where claims are delayed due to excessive bureaucracy and red-tape.
Council has been put in the difficult position where it must make a choice between:
1. Continuing to repair the road network post record floods even at Council’s own expense.
2. Stop works to remain financially viable but place rural residents who are still suffering post the floods at significant safety risk due to the roads being left in their flood damaged condition.
Council has had no choice but to continue road works, especially given the tight contractor market and significant capital works Council is currently completing meaning that if contractors were to be stood down Council would be unable to source resources once funding became available.
Of the $10.1m Council has spent on local and regional road flood repairs only $6m has been reimbursed and all of this was post significant political pressure.
Council is currently owed over $4.1m for flood damage works and this amount could easily increase by over $2m per month now that resources are being re-diverted to the local road network post completion of record flood repair works for Transport on the State Road Network.
Obviously this situation is very concerning, it is a crippling cost to councils, particularly when we have already been through a crisis.
I hope everyone has a safe second week of the school holidays, there are still plenty of school holiday activities to enjoy like the silent disco, BMX workshop, fishing, an activity day and ice skating. Enjoy
Until next week, God bless
Phyllis Miller, OAM – Forbes Mayor