Our plans for next year Where we are now, challenges for tomorrow, what we are spending on and specific actions that will take place in 2010/2011 are just some of the major items themes in The Hills Shire Council’s Draft Operations Program. The plan shows how Council intends to deliver a range of services, upgrades and events across Proactive leadership, Vibrant Communities, Balanced Urban Growth, Protected Environment and the Modern Local Economy. Council’s financial position is strong and is projected to remain so. This is the result of strict adherence to Council's Financial Charter, prudent management and fiscal responsibility.

Other challenges for tomorrow include how Council intends to accommodate a population of about 250,000 people by 2031 and how Council will secure affordable and accessible public transport for our community to reduce dependency on cars. Future actions will include the introduction of signature events such as food, sport and music festivals to promote the Sydney Hill. We have also planned to develop a library strategy to identify the future delivery of Library Services across Council.

The Sydney Hills is at a significant point in time and the next two decades will bring with them much growth and change for the area.

Build it Now
In the time since Kristina Keneally became Premier, the State Government has released two important documents. One is a five-year review of their long-term plan for Sydney: "Metropolitan Strategy Review" and the other is "Connecting the City of Cities" or the Metropolitan Transport Plan.    It should concern us all that while Council has finalised the planning for new homes, new land releases and new jobs outlined in the long-term plan for Sydney, the State Government admits they are falling behind with the transport projects and infrastructure to support these targets.   It should also concern us all that while Council has completed comprehensive transport planning for our growing region, the State Government has only just released its own Metropolitan Transport Plan.

This provides no financial modelling to support the delivery of the plan; no commitment to fast track transport to the North West growth region, and no details of the work required to complete their promised bus corridors.   If together we can push to get the North West Rail construction date to commence prior to 2017 there is hope that we can get the Sydney Hills growing and moving much faster.

 I hope you will get on board with my new campaign to lobby the State Government to “Build It Now”.