Wollomombi warms to Councillor Cuppas

Wollomombi residents enjoyed the chance to speak directly and informally with their local councillors, when the first Councillors’ Cuppa was held at Sauer Memorial Hall on Tuesday night.

Road maintenance and roadside trees were leading topics as residents from Wollomombi and surrounds had personal access to several Armidale Regional Council councillors, including Mayor Simon Murray and Deputy Mayor Dorothy Robinson.

Wollomombi Local Advisory Committee (LAC) Chair Dorianne Coventry said the Councillors’ Cuppa, the first of several to be held at locations throughout the Armidale Region during the next year, was a very positive and worthwhile experience.

“It was a great way to hear directly from the Mayor and all the councillors and to develop a relationship with the councillors,” Ms Coventry said. “It provided an excellent platform to offer feedback in a way where you felt you were really being heard.”

Discussions included an update on a campaign to improve the quality of the Kempsey to Armidale road, with Lower Creek community representative Morgan Thompson also attending last night’s Cuppa.

The forum was told the Armidale and Kempsey councils are working together to lobby State Government to reinstate the road’s State Road classification, after the section in the Armidale Regional Council area was downgraded to local road status several years ago.

Mr Thompson said he was appealing to communities along and near the road to band together in a united campaign for better funding for the road’s maintenance.

Cr Murray said last night’s forum was another positive step in the Kempsey Road campaign, as well as a constructive initiative for general engagement between councillors and community members.

“Council already has Local Advisory Committees in a number of locations, fostering very positive working relationships with Council staff, and the Councillor Cuppas will further assist by improving the bond between residents and the elected councillors,” he said.

Wollomombi LAC Secretary Sandra Moen said: “The informal gathering makes it easier for community members to get their point across effectively.

“There were a lot of points raised and some very constructive conversations.”

Published on 31 May 2018