ONE year, $15 million of funding and 82 merger projects across Council has set the scene for a successful merger between Guyra and Armidale, council administrator Dr Ian Tiley says.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
“The amalgamation … has been the catalyst to drive a new strategic direction delivering customer focused service delivery and a strong high performing council,” Dr Tiley said recently.
TIMELINE:
And on a community level – an ideal platform to drive Guyra into the future, residents say.
“It’s a positive move,” local business owner Dave Mills told The Argus this week.
“Certainly noone wanted an amalgamation because they are scary and it is the unknown,” he said.
“It’s a significant change for our community and trying to accept that change when there is so much historical value to a council.
“But I think I’m one to try and embrace change and I think it’s extremely important for us as a community to work with the new council and the residents in Armidale.”
In the past 12 months, community grants aimed at addressing our infrastructure backlog have included $11,323 to the Polar Bears, $25,000 for a new fence at the Sportsground and over $28,000 to the Historical Society and Machinery Group.
Mr Mills said now was also the time for residents to band together and “create vibrancy”.
“It’s very important that we look at our local opportunities and focus on what we do best,” he said.
“That includes promoting our agricultural products – we’ve got to showcase our community.
“We need to become positive, lose the negativity and focus as a community because you need a whole community to prosper.
“We don’t need to lose anything else – we’ve lost the trains, we’ve lost the council, we’ve lost the abattoirs – it’s time we started gaining.”
He said that means working with council, and each other to move forward.
Mr Mills said becoming prosperous was more than just having cash.
“It’s important to be a cohesive council and work on our assets,” he said.
“We have some fantastic produce. We have the best lamb, beef, tomatoes, mushrooms, fish (trout) and geese and we’ve won some really major awards.
“We should be promoting that and we’ve got the ability, the smarts and the people to do that.”
The Guyra & District Chamber of Commerce are also keen to work together with Armidale – to forge a strong bond for the future.
Chamber president Aileen MacDonald said it was time to make the most of the opportunities now available as a result of the merger.
“It has given us financial stability and sustainability,” she said.
“We’ve been able to address the infrastructure backlog and use the bigger regional council to capture economic opportunities because of the funding that was there – and that’s only the start.
“Being part of a bigger council also means we have the ability to attract people with multiple skill sets.”
Before the merge, the Chamber presented Dr Tiley with five major items Guyra wanted on the agenda of the new council.
One of these included the main street upgrade which has now secured over $2 million.
“I think Guyra and Armidale should now focus on working together,” Mrs MacDonald said.
“I’ve found the Chamber has become stronger and I think it’s because people see value in us being an advocate for business.”
As for the future, perhaps the elections will mark the first step. Candidate nominations officially open on Monday, July 30.