It's Local Government Week 2020, and Armidale Regional Council is using the event to highlight the broad range of services it offers the Armidale region, including some surprising and little-known services.
Armidale Regional Council Interim General Manager David Kerr said the theme of this year's Local Government was "Councils Do", and it was a succinct way of describing councils' role in ensuring the way of life of their local communities.
"Councils are the grass roots government of Australia, with people interacting with council services and infrastructure every day of their lives," he said.
"The services provided by council go way and beyond 'roads, rates and rubbish' everyone is familiar with – although those are an important part of what they do.
"Among the core services of any council are environmental maintenance and protection, libraries, parks and recreational areas.
"Councils are charged with the responsibility of balancing new development, critical for our local economy, with the preservation of local amenity, services and infrastructure for existing residents.
"Here at Armidale Regional Council we also provide a wide variety of other services that make our communities so liveable, such as childcare centres, libraries, pools, museums and even maintaining home support services for the aged.
"We want our community to know we are here for them and highlight the many ways we can help. This is not just limited to what we provide in terms of services or infrastructure projects that are lead by council, it also extends to the many thousands of dollars in sponsorships and in-kind support for community groups that go a long way to making this city a great place to live and visit."
Mr Kerr said in the past 12 months alone, Armidale Regional Council had:
- Played a key role in the bushfire response for the whole region;
- Implemented a successful strategy and critical infrastructure to prevent the region from running out of potable water;
- Extended the airside apron and developed infrastructure for the new business park;
- Commenced construction on the new playground at Curtis Park and;
- Continue to move forward with introducing cycleway lighting, CCTV instillation and the planning of a series of events to stimulate the economy post COVID-19 restrictions easing.
"We want to use Local Government Week to invite the people of the Armidale Region to explore the full range of services their council offers them."
To reflect on the services Council offers, a social media campaign will commence from today to showcase the work our organisation does in the region and celebrate our staff who continued to ensure council services were maintained during one of the toughest 12 months, particularly through the COVID-19 closure period.
