This 10-year program of works will tackle the shire’s infrastructure backlog, provide increased maintenance for key infrastructure and ensure we meet the NSW State Government’s ‘Fit for the Future’ Local Government sustainability indicators.

During this time, council will commit more than $97 million towards improving the shire’s network of roads and infrastructure, drainage, public parks and buildings. Of this amount, $51.4 million will be directed towards roads, shared pathways and associated infrastructure.

The SRV program builds on council’s existing Infrastructure Recovery Strategy (IRS) which together will deliver the largest injection of capital into infrastructure projects this council has ever undertaken. But it’s important to remember these SRV projects are carried out in addition to our regular capital works and maintenance schedules.

The current sealing of Ferndale Road in Bundanoon, the realignment of the Colo Street Bridge in Mittagong and the improvements to the intersection and signals at Railway Terrace in Willow Vale are just a few examples of projects underway that are supplementary to our Special Rate Variation agenda.

The full schedule of our IRS projects to be undertaken this year can be seen in council’s 2016-2017 Operational Plan and Budget at www.wsc.nsw.gov.au/integrated-planning-and-reporting. So while the countdown towards the end of the year continues, here at council we’re already busy preparing our schedule for 2017 and beyond.

As I write this column, staff from council’s environment and sustainability team are busily packing up this year’s School’s Environment Day, held on Tuesday.

The event was again staged on the foreshores of beautiful Lake Alexandra and we were again blessed with glorious weather. As per previous years, this annual event is funded via Council’s Environment Levy. We hope all the Year 5 and 6 students from across the shire had a fantastic time and hopefully they even took some green tips away from the day to share with family and friends.