Trail well worth a look
I often walk the Yindyamarra trail from the Kremur Street boat ramp. The extensive paving of the area is greatly appreciated by walkers, bike riders and the like. There is regular seating along the way. Animal and bird life are plentiful, The art works and almost completed sculptures are truly magnificent. I will be taking regular walks to see the finished works. I urge those who have not undertaken this experience to do so. You will not regret it Well done Albury City.
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Jill Wooding, Albury
Confidence in council hits new low
Congratulations to councillors Gaffney and Horne for not supporting the Indigo Council budget - $3.61 million for cycleways and only $129,000 for footpaths. The footpath budget is about the same each year despite several of us writing submissions complaining about the state of existing footpaths as well as the lack of suitable surfaces for those with mobility issues, even the fit people around our communities are fed up. The council continues not to listen, so much for the Community Engagement Policy. There are so many questions to ask including; Where is the viability re the Beechworth & Chiltern Railway Goods sheds which were meant to be cycle hubs, it hasn't happened - total spend of public money around $2 million? The still vacant Beechworth shed was going to create 21 jobs and turnover $6.5 million in 3 years (Council media release March 2018). Multi million dollar regional cycling marketing campaigns plus recovery grants that have not produced the pie in the sky economic returns. Figures used to build up the cycling hype include quotes of $483 spend per person per day for overnight stays in 2006, it is now down to $141. What figures were used to secure funding? Beechworth's largest bike hire business has shut down until September. Cycling is a seasonal business. Questions about how many cyclists visit Beechworth go unanswered. An independent inquiry is long overdue on cycle tourism including; any perceived conflicts of interest, price paid to purchase property from land holders to provide cycleways; public funds that have not delivered the results and capital works budget blow outs particularly the Beechworth to Yackandandah cycleway, going to cost way more than the $6.2 million budget. Stop the madness, listen to the ratepayers who will be up for huge ongoing maintenance bills. In the meantime residents and our visitors will have to make do with our dirt-gravel footpaths. How can we have any confidence in the Indigo Shire Council and its budget?
Christine Stewart, Beechworth
Winter Appeal generosity humbling
I'm writing to express my deep gratitude to everyone across NSW who supported The Smith Family's 2021 Winter Appeal. Times of uncertainty can make giving difficult, but our supporters have demonstrated a level of generosity that we've found truly humbling. During tough times, The Smith Family's out-of-school learning and mentoring programs help keep children engaged in their schooling and on-track to complete Year 12. And thanks to the tremendous generosity shown towards our Appeal, The Smith Family will be able to support more than 15,000 additional students with our evidence-based educational programs. Our programs equip students with essential skills.