Council held the second Community Opinion Group (COG) Meeting on Tuesday 5 July, with more than 100 residents attending alongside Councillors and Senior Council staff.
Residents were asked to submit agenda items for discussion with several topics submitted.
Griffith Mayor, Councillor Doug Curran said he was pleased with the outcome of the first meeting.
“While the COG has been operational since 2015, it was predominantly an online service providing updates to subscribers through an e-Newsletter,” said Councillor Curran.
“Councillors saw the opportunity to expand the COG and improve consultation and communication with the community through quarterly meetings, the first having been held in Yoogali on 5 April this year which saw over 30 agenda items submitted.
The meeting held this week at the Hanwood Catholic Club was very well attended and I would like to thank those who took the time to not only submit agenda items, but to come along to the meeting and engage with Councillors and Staff,” added Councillor Curran.
Members of the Hanwood Football Club were in attendance lobbying Councillors to upgrade facilities at the Hanwood Sports Complex to bring it to a competition level.
Beverly Road residents also put forward their position, along with Council providing an update on the upcoming works on the Hanwood Stormwater Pump and Levy Upgrade, and the potential land release options for the Hanwood area.
“It is wonderful to see so many passionate Hanwood residents in attendance to raise issues with Councillors so that we are aware of community concerns. Some matters, including the Hanwood Public School crossing and bus shelter will require us to lobby State and Federal Government to provide the facilities and services required,” said Councillor Curran.
“Councillors will be looking at the road sealing priority list which will include an assessment of Beverly Road.
“Council is constrained by the budget and relies heavily on grants and funding from both the State and Federal Governments, but Councillors and staff will work hard to secure as much funding as possible to deliver as many projects as we can,” he added.
Designed to complement the already established monthly Council Café and weekly Council Catch Up newsletter, the COG Meeting will allow community matters of concern to be documented and if appropriate, championed by a Councillor through a Notice of Motion procedure to Council for formal consideration.
Meetings are scheduled to take place four times per year, the location of the COG Meetings alternating between Yoogali, Griffith, Yenda and Hanwood.
Council will also have the opportunity at COG Meetings to present open for Public Submission for further community input if required.
The next COG Meeting will be held Tuesday 4 October in Yenda.
If you would like to subscribe to the COG, please visit griffith.nsw.gov.au/subscribe
