Message from the Mayor – March

Published on 02 March 2026

Message from the Mayor – March

The start of 2026 has been hectic.

With a busy holiday period, we have experienced some challenging heat conditions, the ever-present threat of bushfires and the very real continuing dry conditions. Our children have all returned to school, and those heading to university and TAFE are well on their way.

The heat has provided great conditions for our local pools - Learn to Swim and school swimming carnivals have seen lots of children engaged, which is a vital community and school responsibility.

Our roads have been busy with holiday makers and the ramping up again of our trucks after a brief respite at Christmas. No matter how often we plead with the State and Federal  Governments, there just doesn't appear to be enough money in the roads bucket. It sits clearly in our priority list for continuing advocacy and speaks to our drive and engagement with both the Newell and Sturt Highway Taskforce Committees.

Our three communities hosted and celebrated Australia Day on 26 January 2026. It was an incredibly hot period, and I congratulate the committees on drawing together three unique events under some challenging circumstances - my thanks also to our Council staff who support these committees.

Council’s Australia Day Ambassador, Geoff Coombes, was a warm and engaged Ambassador and was very visible in the 24 hours he spent with us. His humble and human approach makes him the ideal person to drive both of his initiatives - The Tour de Cure and STRYDE4.

My congratulations to all of our Australia Day Award recipients - our communities are certainly the richer for your generous contributions.

The Darlington Point community once again hosted the Riverina Fishing Classic at the beginning of February.  With amazing registrations and favourable weather, this event goes from strength to strength.

A hardworking committee and community support ensure that this event is a premier tourist and recreational attraction in the Riverina.  A very generous donation of $25,000 was made to the Darlington Point Early Learning Centre’s Development Project.

At the end of January, Council held its Annual Strategic Planning Workshop in Albury.   This annual 2-day think-tank enables us to review the Council’s position in relation to finances, development and planning updates, infrastructure assets and maintenance deliverability. It acknowledges our key responsibilities and our ability to deliver within budget and in a timely manner.

Key issues to come out of the weekend were:

• The renewable energy overload Council finds itself navigating, while being cognisant of this unwanted imposition and trying to maximise our legacy for Council and our wider communities as well
• The ongoing issue of water insecurity and our need for increased engagement and advocacy 
• Ensuring our major projects proceed on time and budget, so essential services are delivered as expeditiously as possible, including the Darlington Point Early Learning Centre, the Jerilderie Water Filtration Plant and the residential blocks development in Coleambally

During January/February there have been many meetings with renewable energy developers and EnergyCo - it takes serious energy and time to engage with these companies and the shifting landscape, and our staff are doing an admirable job at navigating this.

The closure of the Licensed Post Office in Coleambally on 6 February has left the community feeling vulnerable and perplexed.  The Pharmacist, Ross Myers, has generously provided a Community Postal Agency opportunity, which the community welcomes.  However, the reality is that it is a downgraded service, and Council continues to engage and advocate in this space for a return to the original service.

Regards

Ruth McRae OAM