After much analysis along with watching several old episodes of the ABCs “Utopia” which assisted greatly, I have come up with the following to assist those who like myself may be struggling through a sea of acronyms, buzzwords and jargon seemingly designed to confuse. My take on the situation is as follows.

Council says: Next week Hilltops Council will be calling for expressions of interest for the formation of a Hilltops Council Integrated Water Cycle Management (IWCM) Project Reference Group.

The key objectives of the IWCM strategy is to “right-size” any necessary capital works project and to identify the integrated water supply, sewerage and storm-water scenario that provides the best value for money on a triple bottom line basis of social, environmental and economic considerations.

Translation: We are forming yet another committee, this time to talk about water and sewerage.

Council says: The IWCM will take a holistic approach to planning across all of Hilltops Councils water and sewerage services.

Translation: It’s not all about Boorowa.

Council says: Water security for the Boorowa community is a key long term issue relating to water supply and sewerage for Council and must be addressed as a priority.

The need to construct significant capital works to address this issue is one of the key drivers for preparing the IWCM Strategy and is reflected in the NSW Governments contribution to the IWCM.

Translation: It is all about Boorowa.

Council says: The IWCM Strategy is developed through a combination of stakeholder consultation, data analysis, economic evaluation and engineering investigation. Community involvement is essential in developing the strategy and engagement will occur on multiple levels.

Council will invite members of the community, stakeholders and representatives of government to join a Project Reference Group (PRG). The key function of the PRG is to guide the IWCM process towards a solution that best meets community and customer needs and expectations.

PRG members will provide input to the process and represent the wider community through discussion, consideration and comment on the technical aspects of the IWCM.

Translation: In the interests of trying to appear consultative, people other than the administrator may get to open their mouth at a meeting, if the administrator says its OK.

Council says: If you are interested in being a part of this important Hilltops initiative, please check Council’s website www.hilltops.nsw.gov.au for more information on how to submit an expression of interest.

Translation: We will pick who we want.

And of course at the end of all this, in less than six months a new council will be elected rendering the process completely pointless, unless they race through the necessary paper trail thereby ensuring Boorowa gets the guarantee of Goldenfields water before the end of Mrs Tuckerman’s reign as administrator, which I suspect is the point.

Quite simple really once you know the language.

IT WOULD appear the federal government is going to reward some of our larger companies who have not paid any tax over the last few years with tax cuts, while a pensioner will get a $1.50 a week discount over the next 12 months on their power bill.

Initially, I thought that it was an April Fools’ joke.