ROAD upgrades and battling a local skills shortage are at the top of Gunnedah mayor Jamie Chaffey’s wishlist ahead of Tuesday’s state budget.
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The Gunnedah mayor told The Namoi Valley Independent he was hopeful the ongoing support from the state government would continue for another year.
“There are many things that would make a difference, such as funding for much-needed road upgrades like those for Rangari Road and Grain Valley Road,” he said.
“In fact there are several unsealed roads within the shire that would benefit greatly from any state level funding, especially in the dry conditions we are currently facing as these conditions take a significant toll on our unsealed roads.”
But it’s not all about roads. Cr Chaffey said he’s got plenty more he’d like to see realised for his shire.
“I’m hopeful something may come through to help us with our aspirations for a koala park in the shire,” he said.
“Whether that is in the form of a tourist park in our shire, a specific site for koala rehabilitation and treatment or more habitat related funding, I’m hopeful that we may see something come from the budget to help us with our aspirations.”
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Within his role as chairperson of Namoi Unlimited Joint Organisation (JO), Cr Chaffey said funding to help keep the region competitive on a national scale was a top priority.
“From a JO’s perspective I suppose our main hope is that funds remain available in the budget for the region,” he said.
“Funding for road infrastructure upgrades is also crucial from a JO perspective and not just a council perspective, as there are many projects such as our limiting of pinch points on the region’s roads that could benefit from state government funding.
“While those types of projects make up part of the JO’s road strategy, water infrastructure upgrades for the region are also important as water is a vital part of our region’s agricultural sector and given current conditions it remains crucial for that infrastructure to be the best it can be.
“So in all, these are just some of the things that will help our region compete nationally in terms of investment and business, but as a JO we would certainly welcome any funding that would help to keep our region competitive.”
Cr Chaffey will be attending the National Local Government Conference in Canberra until Wednesday.
“It’s terrific and quite inspiring to hear people so passionate about local government share that with local government representatives from around the country,” he said.
“There’s set to be motions discussed and more speakers of the coming days, which I’m really looking forward to, but I will be back in Gunnedah in time for Wednesday’s council meeting which is good.”
The 2018-19 budget is set to be announced at 12pm on Tuesday.
Billy Jupp
Billy is a Senior Livestock Journalist for the Queensland Country Life based in Toowoomba. He has worked for a variety of different ACM mastheads during the past five years including the Namoi Valley Independent, Northern Daily Leader and The Land.
Billy is a Senior Livestock Journalist for the Queensland Country Life based in Toowoomba. He has worked for a variety of different ACM mastheads during the past five years including the Namoi Valley Independent, Northern Daily Leader and The Land.
