SECURING vital grant funding for projects in Leeton shire will again be a strong focus for council in the year ahead.
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Leeton Shire Council mayor Paul Maytom has outlined some of the areas he sees as crucial to a successful 2019.
The first is the redevelopment of the Roxy Theatre, which received close to $4 million from the state government just before Christmas.
He said extensive community consultation would soon be getting underway so residents can have their input into the plans for the project.
Last year the Leeton pool was unsuccessful in securing funds from the NSW government for its own rejuventation work, but councillor Maytom hopes that won’t be the case in 2019.
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“Myself and Jackie (Kruger, council’s general manager) have met with Member for Murray Austin Evans and NSW Sports Minister Stuart Ayres in the hope that they will revisit that,” councillor Maytom said.
“We were very disappointed that grant funding wasn’t approved.
“It is an election year and there is money around, including from the sale of poles and wires, so hopefully we can be in line for that.”
Cr Maytom has promised he will be keeping his foot on the pedal when it comes to the Leeton District Hospital in ensuring no services are downgraded.
At the top of his list as being one of the most important issues this year is the Murray-Darling Basin Plan.
Cr Maytom said the plan needed to be “slowed down” in order for it to be implemented correctly.
“Leeton cannot afford to lose any more productive water,” he said.
“We will certainly be keeping an eye out on the roll out of the plan.
“It’s about making sure the money that is allocated for efficiency projects is put under more scrutiny.”
Council will also be working with the state government this year on the “purchase” of the former WCIC building in Chelmsford Place.
The building has been offered to council from the government for the price of $1.
However, Cr Maytom said there were still some kinks to be ironed out before the offer was accepted.
“We need to make sure we’re taking on the building in the right way that won’t be a drain on ratepayers later on,” he said.
Continuing to complete the “master plan” at freight centre Wumbulgal is also a priority in the hopes of attracting more industry and funding.
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