The lobbying of local government groups in the state's south is being credited with influencing the NSW government's decision to pay the extra costs this year for the Emergency Services Levy.

 

State member, Wendy Tuckerman this week announced that councils in the Goulburn electorate would get nearly half a million dollars to pay for the un-budgeted increases.

 

Upper Lachlan Shire mayor, John Stafford says there was a concerted campaign to get government to meet the extra cost.

While still in the early stages of planning, the Goulburn Mulwaree council intends to have quite an itinerary in place for a visit in November by officials from sister city Shibetsu in Japan.

 

The occasion will be the 20th anniversary of the sister city relationship, with the Japanese delegation to be led by Shibetsu mayor, Mer-kino.

 

An important part of the visit will be a ceremony in Victoria Park to inaugurate a new Japanese garden area which Goulburn Mulwaree mayor, Bob Kirk says is being developed with help from Shibetsu.

The Upper Lachlan Shire Council is working to address issues identified with 12 timber bridges and 3 concrete structures which are subject to temporary load limits.

 

It is clear that council is approaching the matter with an eye for detail.

 

It has engaged engineering consultants, Xavier Knight and sought the technical expertise of other NSW government agencies to ensure measures taken are carried out effectively and efficiently.

 

Council has allocated funding for urgent repairs and maintenance and is working with state authorities to source additional monies.

 

In order to provide immediate relief for bridge users, council is investigating a range of interim measures such as by pass crossings and temporary strengthening of existing structures.

 

A council spokesman says work on bypasses will be carried out in the coming weeks.