Your issues, vote counting and recognition

The answers were varied however there were a few key topics raised by the majority of respondents.

Most, said council's culture and governance needed to be improved. They said they no longer wanted to see a 'dysfunctional' council but councillors who worked together 'harmoniously' as a team.

A high percentage of respondents also said the mall needed to be revitalised. "We need to make Armidale more lively with more businesses; build up the mall so there aren't so many empty stores. It's depressing," one person commented.

Water was also a hot topic. "Lower water rates," someone said. "Fix the creeks to reduce flooding when it rains," another added. One resident called for "Dumaresq Dam improvements" while Malpas Dam was also mentioned a number of times.

One resident asked for community cohesion and collective visioning for the town in to the future.

"We need investment in the region and to grow the population," they said.

So the council has a few critical tasks ahead of them, and the vote count so far indicates there will be some familiar faces around the table along with a few new faces to refresh the team dynamic.

But whatever the outcome, it is guaranteed that a large percentage of the work that needs to be done to keep our community healthy and thriving will be done by the wonderful volunteers in our town.

Armidale Regional Council recognised some of them last Thursday for their contributions to the community at an International Volunteers Day presentation ceremony and lunch at Armidale City Bowling Club.

I hope you have a great week ahead of you.

Vanessa Arundale

Acting editor Northern Tablelands and North West