The first was the announcement by the NSW government that councils who have been forced to amalgamate may be given the option of de-amalgamation via a plebiscite.  The second was the decision of the OEH and the EPA to knock back the proposed Eulie piggery.

The important part might not be whether we can de-amalgamate, the relevance should be about changing for the better, not as we have for the worse.

The contrived Hilltops Council is neither good for business nor is it a business-like operation.  A drive through and around Harden clearly highlights this fact – parks and pool areas not mown, the upgraded streetscape is barely maintained with many of the plants clearly struggling for water and maintenance. 

Staff morale is very low with key senior outdoor staff choosing to retire in recent times.  Trucks sit idle in the depot at Murrumburrah when in past times they have been busy working.

Staff promotions in the majority seem most unfortunate.  Young had a very competent planning manager who was let go, which will ultimately be to the detriment of council and ratepayers.

Is it correct that at least one senior staff member has had to take stress leave since taking on a position in the new council.

We were told the amalgamation would save millions of dollars and provide for better management.

Will Council please provide details of expenditure on TR78N - the Cowra Road?  At the Apps Lane corner it appears the budget was $400,000 however this may now be double or treble and of course it is not completed.

Another waste of money is the Shirrenden Hill section.  This section of road was completely rebuilt about four years ago, unfortunately without an overtaking lane.  Within two years it was unceremoniously ripped up and again rebuilt and again no overtaking lane.

Now in 2017, preparation for major work adjoining the northern end of Shirrenden Hill is afoot.  It will be necessary to rebuild Shirrenden Hill for the third time in six years. 

Why is it that Administrator Tuckerman can boast about getting on the phone to Deputy Premier Barilaro to check if the amalgamations are to be scuttled (and with it her $250,000 per year appointment) but hasn’t seen the need to ring the then Roads Minister, Duncan Gay, or local members, Katrina Hodgkinson or Pru Goward to advise of the waste that is clearly occurring within the RMS costing taxpayers and ratepayers millions of dollars.

Nor has there been a word from Administrator Tuckerman regarding the shocking decision of two State Government Agencies to knock back the Eulie piggery. 

With it will go tens of millions of dollars in investment in the piggery itself and an almost certain decision now that B E Campbell will postpone plans to construct a pig killing floor at the Burrangong Abattoir.  140-160 direct jobs to these two towns without adding all the flow on jobs that would arise for the service industries around the two towns, the trucking industries and retail shops.

Hopefully the proponents will take the decision to the Land and Environment Court where the true extent of the council’s ambivalence, animosity and incompetence will be revealed to the public.

Sadly we have been left with autocratic rule where there are no councillors to question expenditure or decisions of staff.  Services have deteriorated with poor decisions being made by staff who are clearly not up to the job.

New Nationals leader, Mr Barilaro, needs to find someone capable of cleaning up this dysfunctional mess before more investment and jobs are lost within our shire.