The annual cost of gorse management in Australia has been estimated at $7million. Biological control is a long-term process that is not expected to eradicate gorse. It is hoped that once all biological control agents become widespread their combined impact will eventually result in a reduction in gorse vigour, seed output and rate of spread. This will in turn make it more susceptible to grazing, weather stresses and herbicides as part of an integrated management program.

At Tuesday night’s meeting we reallocated $120,000 from other capital expenditure items to urgently replace the lights at Carr Confoy Sporting Fields, we moved to adopt a fee for replacement of lost Rural Waste Cards, we adopted the Draft Regional Community Strategic Plan and received a report on the relocation of McDermott Centre users. These items and a number of other decisions are available to view online now.

As councillors we are guided by the information and data available to us. In this regard the findings of the community based working party set up to examine the CBD Parking found that Goulburn has more than adequate CBD parking  in comparison with other regional centres of NSW. You are welcome to receive an electronic version of this report – contact me directly at bob.kirk@goulburn.nsw.gov.au.

Congratulations to the Goulburn Charity Rodeo which occurred last weekend at the Recreation Area. The weather was great as it was not too hot, and the event drew a big crowd who witnessed plenty of skill, thrills and spills from the competitors.

The Goulburn Rodeo Club does a fantastic job organising this event, and contribute much to local charities.