Long-time councillors Brian Ingram and Tony Flanery were last week elected to the leadership positions of Mayor and Deputy Mayor of Hilltops Council. Photo: Hilltops Council.
Here, there and everywhere is shaping up to be the motto of Hilltops Council’s new old Mayor Brian Ingram as he ponders his return to office as a result of the recent 2024 NSW local government elections.
Of course, he’s not really old, as in years, but this being his third stint as mayor, first of the former Young Shire Council and second and third in charge of the broader Hilltops local government area, he’s acutely aware of what the job entails.
But for now – as the new team of 11 councillors is inducted into the world of local government – Cr Ingram has his eyes peeled as he traverses the 7140 square kilometres that take in the towns of Young, Boorowa, Harden-Murrumburrah and the jewel in the crown that is Jugiong.
“We need to instil some pride of place, really need to pull our socks up in that regard, because as I drive around I’m not liking what I am seeing, it’s just not good enough,” he told Region.
By that he also means the council’s towering historic civic offices and town hall in Boorowa Street, Young.
“I stood there when the pre-polling was underway and thought, ‘Surely I’m not the only one who sees the inch of dust everywhere’,” he said. ”This is the heart and soul of this town, as are the other civic buildings in each of the towns, and they all need to be at least presentable.”
He’s not alone in that: the town’s social media pages are often peppered with comments criticising the pink-and-blue facade of Hilltops’ admin hub and its increasingly greying appearance thanks to the population of pigeons who’ve made the ledges, bell tower and war memorial statue their home.
“Council and staff do a great job, but the people want their communities looking like they’re proud of them,” Cr Ingram said.
His deputy is Galong farmer and long-time councillor Tony Flanery, whose father Ross also served for many years in local government, and it’s Cr Ingram’s view that under their watch the council will run more efficiently and effectively.
Seasoned councillors Matt Stadtmiller, Mary Dodd, Joanne Mackay and Alison Foreman are now joined by newcomers James Blackwell, Michelle Gallo, Neil Langford, Fiona Douglas and Jake Davis.
“We have a very diverse council,” Cr Ingram said. ”It’s a blend that’ll take a bit of gelling. We’ve got some councillors with a bit of experience and others who are new and it’ll take them a bit of time to ease into it.”
However, there will be changes, he says.
“I’ve said this before, I campaigned on it: I’m after some internal efficiencies,” he said. “I’m sick of documents and talking, I want action.”
That includes improving the council’s financial sustainability, roads, rubbish and rates.
No department will escape his attention, Cr Ingram says, and no meeting will go ahead without him and the council general manager scrutinising the business papers beforehand.
“In my view, that lack of scrutiny resulted in a proposal for a 30 per cent increase in waste charges just before the election,” he said.
“That should never have gone before council, that should have been addressed and debated beforehand. “Cr Flanery and I knew the community would not tolerate it and thankfully were able to overturn the decision.”
The farming community can expect to see some joy ahead too.
“We survive on agriculture; we’ve had four or five really good seasons lately and the towns are bouncing and it’s good,” Cr Ingram said. ”So let’s not forget the people who put money into our local economy and what they get for their rates – all they want is a decent road.”
Hilltops Council will hold its first ordinary meeting next Wednesday, 23 October.
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