Last Wednesday night a group of about 40 local Canowindra community members and ratepayers attended the Q&A session at the
Services Club with the four local Cabonne Council Candidates Anthony Durkin, Cheryl Newsom, Jenny Weaver and Kevin Walker.
The candidates were given an opportunity to state what they stood for and what areas they wished to represent if elected and then responded to an array of questions which were forwarded prior to the meeting. With Ross Cleary facilitating the meeting, there was also an opportunity to ask questions from the floor.
The questions centred around Canowindra, and in particular the heritage of the village and the need for beautification if tourists are
to be incentivised to visit the village. The ongoing issue of Shep’s Corner was raised as well as other eyesores in and around Canowindra. Questions were also asked about Orana House and its ongoing role in the community and whether or not it will be sold, as well as Cabonne Council’s commitment to the regional tourism body which will include the Councils of Cabonne, Blayney and Orange, and how this commitment may affect local events.
There were also questions asked from the floor. These questions referred to what sort of infrastructure the candidates would like to
see in and around not only Canowindra, but also across the Shire and the issue of local business owners parking in the main street.
The candidates gave well rounded responses and previous Councillors were able to give further information in relation to some of the
issues. Cheryl Newsom and Jenny Weaver were able to respond to information they were able to source from Council and other avenues.
It would seem that all candidates are keen to follow up on these matters after the election as some appear to have been long standing
matters which need to be resolved. All in all a great attendance for this meeting and we are all hoping that the local Canowindra Councillors standing for the elections come in with a great result on the 9 September. Also in attendance were other candidates Ian Davison, Marlene Nash, Jamie Jones, Kevin Beatty and Peter Batten.