Council Comment

with Merv King

Keen St upgrade

The long-awaited major upgrade of Keen Street will begin on January 2.

Council has set aside $1.5m for the upgrade, which will see the pavement replaced and new parking bays and street trees established.

The plans are based on the successful changes in Molesworth Street and I have been pleased that the feedback from retailers and shoppers has been positive.

The upgrade is about planning the kind of CBD we want for the next 40 years - and it is not to hard to imagine that in the future Lismore will have a much cooler and more inviting streetscape than at present.

Although constructing the central rank of car parking and street trees will reduce the parking by 30 spaces, a further 60 car parking spaces are being created within the critical 200-300m walking distance from shops.

A further 60 spaces will become available in January with the relocation of school buses from the Crowther car park, which is within easy walking distance from Keen Street.

The major works for January have been timed for the quietest part of the year - Council has held several meetings with retailers to discuss this and other ways of minimising disruption for retailers.

Council committees

At the Council meeting this week, councillors have moved a step closer to bringing our important community committee system up to date.

I have been to Council committees for many years and I know first hand that the citizens who devote time make a valuable contribution.

I also hear that many people want a change to the way committees work.

The changes to be put in place will ensure that councillors have a greater say in how policies are made at Lismore Council as part of the new 'Strategic Plan Steering Committee' - which in turn will work closely with new 'policy advisor groups' - made up of citizens. The councillors steering committee will determine the make up of the advisory groups in the new year.

I'm confident that this arrangement will ensure that Council can still draw on the valuable advice of community members.

RSL Future

It was with a measure of sadness that we all learned that the RSL Club on the riverbank is to be sold. It has been a valued part of the community for many years and the range of services and facilities it contains have been well-used over the years.

It contains many meeting rooms, a kitchen, a swimming pool and a large auditorium. It would be a great shame if the building was lost to the public.

Recently it has been proposed that it could be refurbished as a community centre or other public building - ideas that are worth exploring with the assistance of both the State and Federal governments.

Australia Day 2005

A reminder that Australia Day Awards are open for 2005. Lismore City Council recognises the efforts of our citizens through awards in categories of Young Citizen, Citizen, Reconciliation, Sporting (Junior and Senior), Art/Cultural, Community Services and Environment.

Applications can be sent to Sue Wade, PO Box 23A, Goonellabah, 2480 or phone 6625 0403.

Finally, a Merry Christmas

It has been a busy year for the councillors and staff of Lismore City Council. I take this opportunity to thank all residents of the Lismore Council area for their contribution to our city in 2004, and I wish you all a safe, merry and holy Christmas.