2015 was a year filled with many beneficial achievements for our Shire, plenty of hard work by Councillors, indoor and outdoor Council staff with the results for all to see. ” HARDEN SHIRE IS ON THE UP” I want to share with you some of the achievements of both Council, our farmers and business owners throughout the Shire during the last 12 Months. FARMERS. Our very professional farmers and their hard work throughout the year have produced above average grain crops both in yield and quality, prime fat lambs and cattle, plenty of good quality wool, poultry, fruit, and miscellaneous produce. At last they are being rewarded with good returns which they so justly deserve.
AMALGAMATION. We are anxiously awaiting the final decision of NSW Government pertaining to our amalgamation proposal to join with Cootamundra. If successful and I am very confident we shall get the tick and the $10 Million as promised, the amalgamation with Cootamundra shall prove to be a good decision. It was pleasing to see that 90.5% of returned questionnaires from within our Shire were happy to merge with Cootamundra and 80.5% of Cootamundra residents were pleased to join with Harden. A suggested merge with Young didn’t rate in either Shire. I believe we shall have a decision within the next week or two !
B-DOUBLE ROADS. Council is working with the appropriate Government authorities and some B-Double roads shall become a reality during 2016 in my view.
HYDRO-THERAPY POOL. The therapeutic benefits from utilising this wonderful establishment are being enjoyed by all who visit. Mylan, the Manager increased the days of operation during 2015 to cope with demand.
KRUGER MEDICAL CENTRE HARDEN. How pleasing it is to visit one of the best Medical centres in Country NSW when one is in need of medical attention ? Boasting three full time Doctors and one part time Doctor, numerous visiting Consultants / Specialists on a regular basis, professional health back up services eg. Diabetes clinic and professional staff to attend to the needs of our Community . We are indeed fortunate and there is more ! Early 2016 a new Doctor M.B.B.S. from Canberra is joining the Medical Centre to grow the Doctor numbers to five GPs —The Medical Centre is now open Weekends.— ie Seven days a week.
STREETSCAPE. Harden Town Centre is now as good as the best and better than the rest when compared to all Country Towns in NSW of comparable size. Stage 2 is complete and we have planted (196) crepe myrtle trees on Albury Street to announce the shopping centre. Thanks must go to all Council Staff for their involvement in a job well done.
NATURAL GAS. Council is negotiating with gas authorities to provide infrastructure and natural gas to Harden. Confidential quotes have been received, so the next steps are to find the money (Govt. grants etc) and source a supplier. Our Shire must have natural gas if we are to attract industry who provide job opportunities (such as an abattoir) and be competitive with other Shires in this ever changing World. Our neighbours already have natural gas. The benefits to our residents apart from low cost heating are numerous.
GRAIN RAIL TERMINAL CUNNINGAR. Council’s grant application for $2.5 Million was successful and construction of a $ 8.5 Million grain terminal shall commence 2016. The new grain terminal will offer the fastest delivery in NSW, to Port Kembla export terminal ( A new $ 600 Million export terminal has been built there ) and save farmers money and time in the process. Grain producing farmers, Grain Corp and Council shall provide the additional finance to make the project a reality. This facility shall benefit all within the Shire.
PEPE’S DUCKS. Progressing as planned, creating new jobs and I am told they shall be the largest duck producers in Southern Hemisphere, if indeed that is not the case already.
SIBELCO AUSTRALIA. The new lime kiln has been completed at the Galong mine and some $ 20 Million has been spent on this project and on improvements to the operation. Additional jobs have been created.
MULTI PURPOSE HOSPITAL ( MPS ) The new Hospital is getting closer, the site, plans and even interior colours have been selected. Once money is allocated the State Government will be in a position to commence development immediately. I believe still a few years away, however, it will become a reality.
RURAL FIRE HEADQUARTERS. An independent committee has been delegated the responsibility by RFH, to report back to them with a recommendation regarding the best location for a new headquarters. We all know why it should be built adjoining the racecourse , however I believe the strongest reason to justify this location is because the big majority of volunteers want the new RFH to be constructed in Harden. NO
VOLUNTEERS –NO RFH. POLITICIANS. Met with local members throughout the year including Federal members, Angus Taylor and Michael McCormack at Parliament House Canberra, discussed a range of topics pertaining to our Shire and built on our already good working relationships. Met with Katrina Hodgkinson, NSW State Government, throughout the year and also discussed appropriate topics. I thanked all for their continued support of our Shire and it’s residents.
HARDEN LOOKOUT. A small group are advancing the possibility of Harden having a lookout on the Western side of the Town. The view to the East, overlooking the Townships of Murrumburrah and Harden and the surrounding farmland is spectacular.
LIBRARY. Our Library has taken on a new look following the upgrade during 2015, numbers of patronage increased during the year and Manager Sharon Hawkins is very pleased with the progress being made. SES. Extensions to the SES offices were completed during 2015 and officially opened by Katrina Hodgkinson our NSW State member-
SISTER SHIRE. Sutherland Shire is our Sister Shire and recently appointed a new GM. I attended the send off for previous GM John Raynor and met with the new GM. Deputy Mayor Neil Reid and I shall again travel to Sutherland this Month taking cherries and local produce as Christmas gifts for the new GM and Mayor. Again fostering good relationships with our Sister Shire who in the past has done a lot for Harden and are always there for us. The following are some new additions / planned projects within Harden Shire Scene during 2015 /2016. There are too many to list all here. JACKSONS. Bakery expansion to include Al Fresco dining.
BARNE’S GOLD TRAIL MUSEUM. Open. GYMNASIUM. State of the art Gymnasium now open. Brian Dunn’s Museum is on the drawing board.
TOILET BLOCK. Constructed in Newson Park, open. SKATE PARK. Construction planned to commence 2016. DEVELOPMENT LAND. Planning continues, to provide blocks of land for Commercial , private and small acreage usage. In order to attract newcomers we must have a selection of available sites for sale. Council is working hard to complete this project in the lifetime of this Council, i.e. by September 2016.
ROADS. Millions of dollars again spent on Shire roads. Generally speaking they are the best in the South West Slopes and Council’s outdoor staff are to be congratulated. VILLAGES. Out three Villages Galong, Jugiong and Wombat are in good shape, thanks go to the various Committees who work hard throughout the year in conjunction with Council for the betterment of their Communities. 2015 has been a full on year for Councillors, indoor staff and outdoor staff and I want to take this opportunity to thank ALL for your support and hard work throughout the year. I am very proud to be your Mayor and at all times work hard for the betterment of Harden Shire. I thank you for giving me this opportunity. In politics there are always the knockers, for many reasons. Some people cannot let go of the past, some criticise to try to improve the situation of one or two existing Councillors, for now and in the future, others have vested interests and so it goes on. I was taught at a very early age to brush aside the criticisms and focus on the positives.That is what I do. My thanks go to my many supporters for all your support and confidence in me over the past year. I want to wish Harden Shire Community, ”
A VERY JOYOUS AND HAPPY CHRISTMAS ” AND ” MAY 2016 BE OUR BEST YEAR EVER ” “CHEERS” John Horton Mayor JP HARDEN SHIRE.
