It has just released a report on 2015-16 figures and Dungog Shire Council has the dubious honour of being the worse affected rural council in the state, with close to 10% of our income being lost to cost-shifting.

The report identifies the top five issues in rural areas as the mandatory emergency services levy; library funding; the companion animals act; the waste levy and the pensioner rebate scheme (which in all other states and territories is 100% subsidised by the government, whereas in NSW it is only 55% subsidised).

Dungog’s situation, of course, is further complicated by the transfer of responsibility for roads previously under RMS control to Dungog Shire Council in the 1990s, which has added considerably to our burden to fund on-going maintenance and renewal costs as well as depreciation. This is one of the points that we are strongly impressing on both the State Government and opposition in the lead up to the election.

Measures advocated by LGNSW include putting an end to cost-shifting; return 100% of the Waste Levy to councils, rather than the 18% that is currently returned; sustainable funding for libraries; reimburse councils for mandatory pensioner rebates in line with other states and territories that fund 100% of pensioner concessions; introduce fairer emergency services funding and give councils greater financial independence. I call on all of our residents to get in touch with the Premier, the deputy premier, ministers, our local member, the opposition and all candidates for the seat of the Upper Hunter and demand action on this.

Make them give you a reason for you to vote for them. Demand action on equity in road funding for Dungog Shire. Enough is enough.      

Along with other Councillors, I have been asked by a Facebook group where I “stand as an individual” and for my “personal opinion” on Tillegra Dam. I have answered this question here rather than reply to the Facebook group because I thought there would be benefit in it reaching a wider audience, and to ensure that you received an unedited version.

My individual and personal opinion is irrelevant. It is not State Government policy to build Tillegra Dam, it is not Hunter Water Corporation’s policy to build Tillegra Dam and building Tillegra Dam does not form part of the soon to be released 20-year Regional Water Strategy for the Hunter.

The Department of Premier and Cabinet has reinforced this in writing to Dungog Council’s General Manager.  Managing Director of Hunter Water Corporation, Dr Jim Bentley, recently advised Council that the Board of Hunter Water have formally resolved on this matter and that Tillegra Dam is not a priority for any future work.

Hunter Water Corporation’s direction is in concentrating on demand management and the disruption that may occur there, in better asset management to avoid leakage and in decentralised supply solutions. And finally, Tillegra Dam has not been identified as a potential project under the Snowy Hydro Legacy Fund.

As for decisions on which I do have a say, that is decisions of Council, while I always consider my values in the decisions I make, it is not a councillor’s role to make decisions based on their individual stance and personal opinion of an issue. 

The role of a councillor and the mayor is enshrined in the Local Government Act 1993.

I am guided in my decision-making by legislation, by council policies that have had the benefit of community input, by advice from the professional staff, by evidence-based discussion and by what members of the community have strongly indicated matters to them through the Council adopted Community Strategic Plan.