Cabonne and Blayney shires have both completed the first drafts of vital strategic plans for the future development of their areas and are now looking for community comment on their key needs.
Both plans are being put up for public exhibition for further comment and feedback after months of community consultation and workshops.
Cabonne’s 2025 Community Strategic Plan, identifying the shire’s main infrastructural and social priorities for the next 14 years, focuses on roads, aged care, employment, water management, access to information and technology and maintaining a balance of rural and village communities.
“It’s a general strategy at this stage, rather than specific proposals,” says the council’s media officer, Dale Jones. “It’s also separate to our strategic plan for tourism, establishing directions we can take to boost our tourist attractions.”
Cabonne mayor Bob Dowling says the draft plan has been developed with the community “to look at real views and issues from residents.
“It will enable the council to streamline its planning for the services, facilities and infrastructure that the community regards as its priorities for the future.”
The plan is on show at the council’s offices in Molong, Cudal and Canowindra, at post offices in Cargo, Eugowra, Cudal Yeovil and Cumnock and libraries in Manildra, Canowindra and Molong.
It can also be viewed at the Age of Fishes Museum in Canowindra, the Central West Business Enterprise Centre at 124-128 Summer Street in Orange and on the council’s website at www.cabonne.nsw.gov.au. The deadline for comments is January 13 next year.
A “FIT AND HEALTHY” BLAYNEY SHIRE
Blayney Shire’s Community Draft Strategic Plan is on public exhibition until December 13 on the councils’ website and at the council chambers, library and post office, and follows the same form and procedure as Cabonne’s.
“It’s a comprehensive but broad draft of community issues at this stage, and we’ll get down to the specifics at the next stage,” says the council’s corporate services director, Anton Franze. “Its basic focus and goal is a fit and healthy Blayney shire community.”
Anton Franze says the draft plan identifies five proposed directions in which the shire needs to move in the coming years, taken from the views of 74 members of the community at two consultative workshops.
“One of the key priorities is health services,” he says, “reflecting the difficulty we’re having in Blayney attracting medical staff and doctors.”
The draft also highlights the need for a balance of mining and agricultural development, “well established and prosperous” tourism development, close connection between villages, preservation of heritage and rural landscapes – including sustainable land practices — and the development of sports and cultural activities.
“The shire has been aiming to be a regional centre for arts, performance and entertainment,” says Anton. ”We present a music scholarship each year, for example, and we have diverse artistic talent in the shire.
“We now need to develop a well-resourced calendar of cultural and sporting events.”
One very notable point that’s emerged from the draft planning is a proposal to set up a community and tourism development officer on the shire council.
Another proposal aims at a need for umbrella public liability insurance for local organisations and events, simplifying what can be a nightmare for community groups and committees having to obtain their own for meetings and events.