Harden residents and business owners are united one point; that no matter who is elected to the council, the twin township of Harden Murrumburrah must move forward.

Karen Kemp, who owns ‘The Muddy Duck’ in Murrumburrah has a list of the requirements she feels the region needs to enable it to thrive.

“The first thing that we need in Harden is a natural gas supply,” Mrs Kemp said. “And Boorowa needs a secure water supply. These are basic requirements for the residents of these two towns, not luxuries.”

“Hilltops needs a council that is industry ready,” Mrs Kemp said.

“We need to identify what is going to complement our area, then chase those industries and offer attractive incentives for businesses to move from metropolitan areas to set up here. 

“We need a progressive, ‘move forward’ council, looking to benefit Hilltops as a whole, not just one industry or town.” 

Former Harden Shire Councillor and business owner Lorraine Brown has seen the area go through many changes in her time.

“In my younger days, rural industry and the railways were big employers here in town,” Mrs Brown said.

“But as those businesses declined, so did the population. Families moved on and their homes were bought by retirees.

“We need the new Hilltops Council to open up more land for development of light industry and a minimum of 1000 people,” Mrs Brown said.

“The region cannot continue to grow without employment opportunities and enticement for families to come and remain here.”

Polling booths open at 8am and close at 6pm on Saturday, September 9.