The public exhibition of council’s draft operational plan for 2015/16 is an annual event, but for the first time the council is using a vacant office in Peel St as a “one-stop-shop” for inquiries, queries and suggestions from ratepayers.

The information stand was open for the first yesterday, with council staff and councillors on hand to talk to people about the important document.

Acting mayor Russell Webb said the stand was a chance for people to have their questions answered. 

“The annual operational plan ... sets out what council will do in the year ahead – the major infrastructure to be built, roads to be repaired, how much the rates will be and the fees and charges to be paid for a range of services,” he said. “It clearly shows our community what they will get for the rates they pay.”

It follows a series of public consultation activities in Barraba, Manilla and Nundle in the past three weeks, culminating in a final teleconferencing session, another first for this year, tonight from 5pm to 5.30pm.

Councillors, along with any interested residents, will meet on level four of Ray Walsh House, with community members at council’s offices in Barraba and Manilla and the Nundle Library joining by video conference.

Corporate planner Julia Farina said the first day of the Peel St stand had been well attended, with “some really good ideas” being put forward that will eventually be included in a report to council once the public submission period closes on June 1.

Roads, parks and even the King George V Ave trees had been among a variety of topics raised, Ms Farina said, the whole idea being to create a less formal way for residents to learn more about the document and have their voices heard.

The information stand is in the Tamworth Post Office building and is open every day until Friday from 10am to 4pm.