It is one of the most important tasks of the council and so the process is not rushed and not taken lightly.

I've made the point before that we have a population of 7,961 (2018 estimate) and an area of 7,102 square kilometres which amounts to a lot of land, and a lot of roads, to cover and very few ratepayers. Infrastructure, including roads and bridges, is always a priority but we also has to look to aspirational community-building aspects.

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We have to attract businesses, we have to attract visitors and potential residents, and we have to help our many villages thrive.

Budgets rarely please everyone. If someone's road isn't prioritised, or their community event or facility isn't at the fore, it's understandable that they will be disappointed.

It's a very difficult balancing act but we always take the budgeting process very seriously and always try to look at the big picture and achieve the greatest good for the Shire.

It's very pleasing to be able to announce the trial lifting of water restrictions in Taralga. As a Taralga resident, I've seen and experienced the hard knocks the town has taken and appreciate the need for some good news from time to time.

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The council will monitor consumption and if water usage rises too high, restrictions will be imposed again, but the township has been very responsible with water consumption and I'm sure that won't change with the lifting of restrictions.

Speaking about water, the Gunning Pool shut for the season on Saturday, March 27.

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Gunning's 2020-2021 pool season was very successful with 2,600 people attending. Recruitments for pool attendants will begin in July or August, ensuring interested parties have time to acquire qualifications in advance of the next season.

The Gunning pool will reopen later this year along with stage one of the new Crookwell pool complex.

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