Council Works – Week ending 31 May 2019

“For the week ending 31 May, the following key works were completed by Council staff”, noted Council’s Mayor, Cr. Ray Thompson.

“Within the urban Lithgow area last week, Council staff continued working towards maintenance improvements throughout the area,” said Mayor Thompson. “Firstly, the renewal of the John Street water main is continuing, with hotmix asphalt reseal scheduled for this asset, including Enfield Avenue and Bridge Street, later in 2019 once these projects are complete. Secondly, staff have been asphalt patching throughout Lithgow in response to action requests placed by the public. Third, in addition to maintaining Council’s sports fields for junior football and soccer, staff have mowed and maintained Hassans Walls Road, Enfield Avenue and Chifley Road.”

“In the last week Council’s rural works staff have continued their focus on the maintenance of unsealed roads but have commenced works on sealed assets also,” noted Mayor Thompson. “The maintenance grading of Marsden Swamp Road and Wolgan Road is complete. Staff have since moved to Ben Bullen and the Kanimbla Valley and once completed, will move machinery to Dark Corner. Alongside this maintenance, asphalt patching has occurred widely including Portland Cullen Bullen Road, Vale Street, Portland, Cullen Street, Portland and Baaners Lane, Hartley. Significant works on Magpie Hollow Road have also occurred to best maintain the road before proposed renewal works in 2019/20.”

“Outside of the external renewal and maintenance of Council’s assets, staff have been working diligently to make ongoing improvements on how Council manages its assets,” said Mayor Thompson. “Work has been ongoing over the last year to visually inspect and map each of Council’s assets according to their characteristics, location and condition. Over time, once this information has been collated and the data made live across the organization, Council will be able to make better, more informed and holistic decisions regarding asset maintenance and renewal. To date, all of Council’s roads have been inspected, including bus shelters, carparks, kerb and gutter and buildings, amongst others. Inspections and mapping is ongoing and will continue as part of a rolling program into the future.”

“This is part of Council’s ongoing effort to improve how it operates and the level of service provided to the community with regard to transport assets,” said Mayor Thompson. “It is unreasonable to expect immediate improvements across the whole LGA as with all organizations, resources are limited. However, with better processes defining decision making and staff moving toward best practice asset management, adopted projects will directly reduce renewal backlogs and this information will be better communicated to the community.”