From the GM's desk: Council gets a top end of term report

I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Mayor and Councillors from our previous term and all of the candidates who ran in the election, and to congratulate those who have been elected to office.

In the extended five and a bit years of their term they presided over a remarkable period in Council's history. Before each Local Government Election, an End of Term report must be tabled at the last meeting of the outgoing Council and incorporated into that year's Annual Report.

The report for the recently completed term provides extraordinary reading as it gives a summary of Council's key achievements over the last five years and demonstrates the progress made for the Macleay Valley community, under the leadership of the outgoing Council in the strategic focus areas of being healthy, wealthy, safe, and connected.

Council's achievements during the period 2016 to 2021 are considerable given the significant challenges that the Kempsey community has experienced in recent years with drought, bushfires, floods, and the COVID-19 pandemic changing how we live and work.

This Council term was one of transformation and transition for the organisation, as a new management team partnered with Councillors and the community to reshape and lead the Macleay Valley towards a more efficient, customer-focused Council.

Council's unsustainable financial position is acknowledged, and constructive steps are being taken to address this with the adoption in April 2019 of a Financial Sustainability Strategy 2019-23 and Roadmap.

Complementing these corporate advancements has been a targeted capital works and infrastructure refurbishment program to enhance the essential services and facilities Council delivers for the community; supported by an active campaign to source government funding to secure delivery of vital infrastructure projects and community programs.

We are all incredibly proud of the work that we have delivered and look forward to working with the new Mayor and Councillors to provide so much more for this community.

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