We are facing several important issues in our region at the moment. From our biggest employer cutting jobs to the council going through a recruitment process for a new general manager, important decisions need to be made.
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They are decisions that will have an impact on the coming years.
At the University of New England, the restructure announced last month has caused some concern.
Nearly a month on from the announcement of the massive redundancy program union spokesperson Bea Bleile said nothing she had learned since had convinced her it was a good idea for UNE.
The university is vital to our community, and the VC Brigid Heywood said forced redundancies would be unlikely.
With the coronavirus pandemic dominating 2020, last summer's bushfires could seem a distant memory, but the devastation is still being felt. And they do raise concerns looking forward.
In the event of a power outage during a bushfire that could mean dire consequences.
Meanwhile we continue to deal with the pandemic restrictions, which fortunately have not been as bad here as in other parts of the country. But it has meant less visitors to the New England region.
While they are not expecting the visitors to return in the numbers they did before the coronavirus restrictions were introduced, an art gallery that sits beside the New England Highway at Glen Innes has found a way to adapt in these times.
We reported some good news last week that Uralla is set to be home to the country's largest hybrid solar and battery facility.
Lastly, at Armidale Regional Council the work continues to recruit a new general manager, and the community are getting a say.
Earlier this month the council put a call out for interested residents to register to be part of an informal workshop to discuss what the region needs in a new GM.
I'm confident some community input will lead to a good decision.
Thanks for reading and have a great week.
Laurie Bullock
Editor
