The communities of Bingara and Warialda will be invited to participate in drafting a strategic plan for their towns in March, 2010.
Plans drawn up by Consultant, John Mongard and a range of past papers will be the starting point for the meetings, from which a vision of what the communities will look like in 10 years time will be developed.
General Manager, Max Eastcott said that the idea is to “develop a holistic plan which will determine where we put resources over the next 10 years.” Sustainability plans will be finalised and a 10 year financial plan for achievable projects will be developed.
Council is keen to see the communities embrace the planning process. There will be more council publicity leading up to the meetings encouraging people to come forward with their ideas for the future of their towns and the Gwydir Shire.
A Community Leaders’ Forum was held in Armidale on August 17. The aim of the gathering was to have community leaders present to State Government Cabinet ministers the issues that matter to their com munities, particularly with regard to the public sector delivering services. Unfortunately, Gwydir Shire Council was not represented.
