This hospital opened earlier this year, built from funding from the previous federal Labor government after lobbying by former MP Mike Kelly for $160million. 

The state government contributed a measly just over $10million.

Now it seems the NSW government is trying to solve its budget problems by cuts to vital health services in regions such as Bega.

It’s just not on.

When building construction, extensions or renovations take place, council requires inspections at various stages during work and at completion to ensure building codes have been adhered to. 

Not so, apparently, when it comes to road repairs. There would appear to be no standards at all. 

Sections of the Candelo-Wolumla road, which had repairs made less than six months ago, are worse now than they were before the repairs were made. 

Recent work on the Candelo-Bega road has loose gravel left behind on corners. A hazard for car drivers and a real danger for motorcyclists. 

Road building seems to be a lost art.

The community of the Bega Valley Shire has been consulted and has chosen the nine people to make up the 2016/20 council.

May I sincerely and with heartfelt thanks acknowledge the wonderful support I was afforded on polling day, Saturday, September 10. To achieve a 1001-vote win was a very humbling experience.

To record 2675 votes and out-poll the combined votes (2555) of two eliminated former mayors, Britten (907), Taylor (720) and Deputy Mayor Seckold (928) was an even more humbling experience.

The voting public of the shire have clearly and decisively rejected both the leadership and the direction of the 2012/16 council.

Failing to listen to the message sent via the ballot box is always a fatal mistake.

Congratulations to Mayor Kristy McBain, the new councillors and the returning councillors. I am looking forward to the next four years with renewed enthusiasm and will continue as I have always done to represent our shire-wide community to the best of my ability.

Notwithstanding my long years as a Liberal Party voter it is obvious to me that there was covert Liberal Party influence in the recent BVSC election.

The history of local government representation was always to have elected members from the community who genuinely worked for their community without political preference and the self aggrandisement that was clearly evident in the recent council elections and despite people standing as “Independent”.

Negativity throughout the campaign by some opportunistic candidates and three-word slogans put a somewhat dark cloud over the whole process and for what end? The apparent influence of political parties at this level of government is, in my opinion, a disgrace to those parties involved.

I congratulate Cr Kristy McBain on becoming mayor and I am pleased there is at least a glimmer of hope that good does prevail – yes it may take a while but it does happen. I am also not a supporter of popularly elected mayors. Popularity does not equate to leadership, honesty, trust, integrity and a genuine selfless commitment to community.