They might have talked with people with “the smarts” but all of us get the chance to have a smart say on what we want our council to build, and build on, for the next 15 years right now.
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Tamworth Regional Council has put its new regional infrastructure strategy on public display.
We saw a glimpse of it last week and it’s now been approved as a draft document by its councillors.
Basically it’s a plan, and a good plan to identify the significant capital works needed in the Tamworth region to drive growth plans and community aspirations for the next 20 years and beyond.
It is a significant document for the future and it is a substantial investment in a priority list for development and our need to meet that growth.
It’s not just a wish list, it’s a long term road map that will attempt to identify, and then decide, when the most critical infrastructure works for the next 20 to 30 years will be developed.
The new strategy lists some 58 critical projects identified by a series of workshops between council staff, councillors, private businesses and other groups over a two-month period earlier this year.
It identifies big ticket items from transport to essential utility services and community infrastructure, including triggers that will influence implementation, hurdles to be overcome, and potential funding partners.
The whole document is on public exhibition until September 8.
We all get the chance now to have a say about what we think of it.
There are nine types of infrastructure outlined, ranging from road and rail to drainage, from community to waste management, air and flood, water and wastewater, even open space and leisure and recreation.
Listed projects include a second Jewry St bridge, duplication of Manilla Rd (Jewry to Tribe streets), a truckstop/
interchange in Glen Artney, CBD car parking improvements, a regional museum, new lawn cemetery, new alternate waste minimisation technology, airport runway upgrades, flood mitigation works, a new regional stadium and a water play park.
The draft also proposes a capital works fund of some $15 million over 10 years – it’s a virtual war chest to begin with, although TRC has already said it will be looking for private equity partners and other governments to support them.
The council says it believes the public has some of the best ideas, and different perspectives, and they can marry those with a council commitment to be a region of opportunity and prosperity.
We are smart enough to have a say.
We just need to do it.