Three schools, three different towns, five meetings and 230 kilometres all in one day – that’s the challenging schedule awaiting Cabonne councillors early next month when they attempt what may be an Australian local government first.
To mark NSW Local Government Week, Cabonne Council will travel the length of the Shire on Tuesday August 5 to hold its monthly committee meetings at three high schools.
Councillors will board a bus at Molong and travel to Yeoval Central School where they will hold the Economic and Development and Tourism Committee Meeting at 9am before driving 115km south to conduct the Community Services Committee Meeting at Canowindra High School at noon.
Two hours later the roadshow rolls into Molong Central School for the Environmental Services and Sustainability Committee Meeting before councillors return to the council chambers at Molong for the Works and Quarry Review Committee meetings.
“It’s an ambitious program and a logistical challenge,” Mayor Ian Gosper said. “But we wanted to do something unique for Local Government Week.”
Cr Gosper said the road trip was inspired by the annual visit to council by student leaders from the three schools.
“Each year the school leaders address council about projects and improvements they and their fellow students would like,” he said.
“It is one of our most important and enjoyable exchanges of ideas. The students bring a different and extremely valuable perspective to our community consultation and councillors and staff are always impressed by their professionalism.”
Cr Gosper said the school visit not only presented an opportunity to respond to the students’ request, but a chance to give students an idea of how council meetings are conducted and decisions made.
“Maybe the visits will also sow the seeds for a younger generation of councillors. You never know some of these young residents may be inspired to enter local government in the future,” he said.
The Mayor said councils are closest form of government to the people.
“Here’s an opportunity for Cabonne to establish an even closer connection with our younger citizens,” he said.
Cabonne Council will also announce a postcard competition for primary school pupils during Local Government Week.
All primary school-aged children living in the Shire and all children attending primary schools in Cabonne are encouraged to enter. The theme will be A Day in Cabonne.
The competition will have two categories – Kindergarten to Year 3 and Years 4-6.
Winners in both categories will receive $50 gift cards, with $20 for second and $10 for third.