The Harden Council Chambers still sit in a state of misery with very little communication to Councillors and members of the community. Like the Young Storm Water upgrade, it appears costs have continued to rise yet no reports have been tabled at Council recently. Councillors will need to keep a close eye on potential blow-outs and ask the relevant questions.
The fate of the Harden based Hilltops Council Chambers continues to hang in the balance with little to zero knowledge released to Councillors or the General Public via the monthly Council meetings.
The residents of the twin towns and surrounds would be right to be worried that the building is going no where fast and that based on prior comments by the now recently departed General Manager at a Council meeting that the building may become a ‘meeting room’ means that staff who left the premises and ceased working there after February 10, 2025 may never return.
Council released a media release on Tuesday April 14, some 4 months ago stating the following,
“Hilltops Council has completed the necessary preliminary inspections and finally received clearance from our insurance company to proceed with the reinstatement of the Harden Administration Building located in Harden, NSW. Council is now seeking tenders from suitably qualified and experienced contractors to undertake the storm damage rectification works. The scope of works includes all associated works and services necessary to ensure full functionality and reinstatement of the building. Interested parties are required to register via Council’s E-tendering Portal, Tenderlink, via https://portal.tenderlink.com/hilltops/ to download the relevant tender documentation. Should you experience difficulties accessing the above website please call Tenderlink’s helpdesk on 1800 233 533. All enquiries are to be directed through the Tenderlink Forum.”
This information at this time highlighted that the building is not on any sensible agenda at Hilltops Council which would see advancement of the building through building works.
The tender was released 15 months after the natural disaster and it is now 18 months this coming Monday since the building was brutalised by Mother Nature and left to rot.
Hilltops Council continues to be an unsafe workplace as evidenced by comments at recent meetings and disclosures made by staff to this masthead. Both mental and physical injuries have been reported.
There appears to be confusion between what is operational and what is the responsibility of Councillors and on top of this resident complaints directed at Councillors continue to be on the rise.
Council appear unable to record the meetings and haven’t solved the problem by easily installing backup cameras and devices, leaving Council at odds with local government legislation and with Councillors who deem the Chambers unsafe in its current setup and scenario.
It’s just not the ‘broken’ things that need fixing. The Green Bollards either side of The Burley Griffin way are yet to be fixed, nor has a report surfaced on their state of usability, a piece of infrastructure that promotes the area to travellers both passing through and locals to events. The Caravan Park sign, the responsibility of Council and the gateway to accomodation in Harden is so neglected it looks like a Slasher film prop from the 80s. Would anyone want to stay there? It looks Murderous.
If those that live in our community don’t set high standards and keep Council to account, just some of our areas’ infrastructure will be looked after.
It’s a bit like caring for part of the garden bed and then letting the other end die and rot when the water gets turned off. Staff can only do their best with what they have to work with.
A lick of paint, some high tensile wires, some water and some maintenance can all make a difference.
Take the drive to Young, have a look at the new cemetery under construction and see where the cash is going.
Who is accountable for where you live. You, your Councillors and Hilltops Council.
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