MIDCOAST Council met with residents in Bulahdelah last week as part of their series of community update sessions aimed at keeping everyone informed of progress since the merger.

Speaking at the meeting, Director Steve Embry said the MidCoast organisation includes 700 staff, $3.5billion of assets and an annual running cost of $250million.

The $30million roads improvement program was outlined along with Council’s assets and financial position.

Mr Embry said through efficiencies as a result of the merger, Council had saved over $4.8million as of the end of last year, with further savings expected over the next 12 months.

MidCoast residents will go to the polls on 9 September to elect 11 Councillors, and there will be no wards.

Mr Embry said nominations for the positions will be open from 31 July through to 9 August.

MidCoast Council will complete the latest round of community update sessions this week.

Director Lisa Schiff told News Of The Area the meetings have been very constructive with good turnouts and lots of new faces in the room.

“These meetings are a great way to engage with the local community, it allows us to talk to residents in small groups and one on one and hear people’s concerns, and also hear about what we’re doing well,” she said.

“We’ve been welcomed by the different communities, and that is evident by the questions that we are asked at the end, that show that people are interested in their communities, and interested in how Council responds and includes their feedback in decision making.”

Questions raised by residents at the Bulahdelah meeting related to funding, the future of the library, amenities, reduction in services, the farmers market and community halls.

“If there is something you want done, but isn’t being done, come and talk about it,” Ms Schiff said.

“If you don’t come and talk to us, we can’t do anything to help.”

Mr Embry said the next round of community information sessions would be held following the election.

 

By Daniel SAHYOUN