Kempsey Shire mayor's New Year message for the Macleay

2019 was an eventful year for Kempsey Shire Council and staff are now looking ahead to the new year and building on the work achieved to date.

"We started 2019 with so many projects and a great team of staff. We had a lot to do around the shire as well as building our team at council," mayor Campbell said.

"We knew we had a full year ahead of us at the start of 2019 and we really wanted to deliver on the projects we had planned for the community."

One of the biggest projects council undertook in 2019 was the construction and opening of the Kempsey Cinema.

"Some of our bigger projects for 2019 was the cinema, which was opened in late November. It took many years to finish this project, but I'm so glad the community now has a high quality cinema to enjoy.

"The finalising of he Kempsey Airport documents was another project council worked on in 2019 as well as upgrades to facilities at South West Rocks and Crescent Head.

"We also had funding from the State and Federal Government to upgrade our sporting facilities across the shire."

Aside from the bigger projects of the past year, council have continued to build community connections and engagement.

"Something council has also aimed to work towards is building relationships with the community through engagement and involving the community in discussions which has happened throughout the year," mayor Campbell said.

Council also had a difficult task when the Carrai East bushfire devastated communities in the Kempsey Shire in November.

"Our focus shifted to the environment throughout the second half of the year with the impacts of the drought becoming clear and then the devastating fires and the impacts that it had on the community.

"Council worked alongside a number of agencies during the bushfire emergency and in the recovery phase, which is ongoing."

Mayor Campbell said seeing the projects council has been working on throughout the year come to fruition is amazing.

"It's really rewarding to see the results of the projects we had planned and worked towards. It's great to see the projects delivering to the community.

"We're seeing results of engaging with the community and we will continue this into next year."

With 2019 coming to an end, mayor Campbell is looking ahead to 2020 and future council projects.

"Because of the recent bushfires we will be shifting our focus for early 2020 to rebuilding bridges and water management due to the drought.

"For 2020 we have a number of water and sewerage projects in the community, which aren't as exciting but are important."

Mayor Campbell is also looking forward to the Slim Dusty Festival that will be held later in 2020.

"I'm also really looking forward to the Slim Dusty Community Festival, we didn't have it this year, and I'm excited to celebrate our local history in 2020. The festival is an important part of the Macleay community.

"As mayor, I'm so proud of Kempsey and the Macleay Valley. This has to be the best place to live.

"I wish everyone in the Macleay a safe and happy New Year and all the best for the year ahead."