As I begin the last year of my term as a councillor it is worthwhile reviewing what we have achieved as a Council and I as your representative. The Council’s “big” things are easy to recall, Patpa Drive, the pool, Mayor Lewis elected president of the LGA, Hazelmere and Scarborough reserve upgrades, and Holdfast Bay joining our three bin rubbish system.

If I produced a list of  “medium” community building and development activities I would fill two columns. But, to discover some of the “small” things Council has achieved I invite you to take a walk around your neighbourhood. Within 400 meters of our house we have seen; Athol pines removed, trees planted and a path built in Gilbertson gully, a new round-about on Eyre, line markings on Seacombe, old roads surfaces replaced with hotmix , safety strips and double lines painted, many clean ups of overhanging and scraggy shrubs and weeds, footpaths repaired, kerbs replaced, and pram ramps installed and safety crossings built. Council inspectorial staff is always busy answering your calls about new developments, food outlets, parking, dogs, dangers, and general concerns about your neighbourhood. Most of what Council does goes almost unnoticed.

I would like to see Council move towards a triple bottom line analysis of the value of “service improvements” and to, the sharing of resources (playgrounds and libraries) with schools and private providers. Our playing fields and amenities could be upgraded to provide more opportunities for women and young people.

I wish you all a happy Chistmas