Following amalgamation, Council has regularly engaged in community consultation highlighting the need for a greater focus on resources and maintenance. Director of Engineering Services, John Zannes, said Council has introduced a 50/50 initiative, working with the community to complete roads and other infrastructure maintenance.
“As a result, Gwydir is building great communities that people want to live in,” he said. “Council’s 120 outdoor staff have made change happen by continually looking for better ways of working. Community feedback has indicated that the Shire has never looked better. This is a credit to staff and the pride they take in their work.”
A number of halls in the Shire were identified as needing restoration. Crooble hall, the only community facility in that area, was restumped, the floor replaced and new guttering installed. The Hall Committee provided in kind support and $7,000 towards the cost of the work. Through this joint effort Council’s Tharawonga Mobile Preschool is now able to operate from the hall.
John Zannes said another effective and innovative way Council has implemented the 50/50 initiative is through self help programs for local road works.
“Through in kind support from local farmers and residents, via use of their heavy equipment or carting materials, this cuts costs for Council so work can be completed sooner and funds stretched further,” he said. “This community contribution not only gets work done quicker, but cost savings allow Council to carry out more work for the benefit of the Shire in the following year.”
Gwydir is one of four or five Councils in New South Wales qualified to tender for Main Roads contracts from the Road Traffic Authority (RTA).
“Council is eligible to tender for Single Invitation Maintenance Contracts valued between $800,000 and $2 million,” John Zannes said. “These contracts, as well as revenue generated from works undertaken for neighbouring Councils, are the keys to our rapid improvement in asset management.”
Council is currently trialing sections of road with two coat bitumen sealing. This has proved to be $8,000 per kilometre cheaper than traditional methods, which means Council can use these savings for additional road works.
John Zannes said Council constantly encourages staff to share ideas and undertakes maintenance reviews to ensure it is delivering the best possible service.
“We look at what we have learnt, what didn’t go well, and share our skills and resources across the organisation,” he said. “Ongoing training for staff is also a contributing factor to our high level of staff morale. People work and live in the area so take great pride in their work.”
