02 6499 2222 council@begavalley.nsw.gov.au
Bega Valley Commemorative Civic Centre South East Centre for Contemporary Art (SECCA) Bega Valley Shire Library Sapphire Aquatic Centre Sapphire Coast Tourism
Have your say

Mayor's Message - 27 February 2025 - Mayor Russell Fitzpatrick

Welcome to our new fortnightly Mayor's Message update. Each fortnight, Mayor Russell Fitzpatrick shares his insights on his community conversations, ongoing project progress, events and activities. Stay connected and collaborate to share the future of our community.

Russell Fitzpatrick.

Authorised by Mayor Russell Fitzpatrick

27 February 2025

Over the next few weeks Council will be undertaking resealing on some roads. Please note this is a resealing program and not a rebuild of the roads. See Live Traffic for more information.

Last week it was pleasing to visit Watergums Bridge on Wonboyn Road with Federal Member Kristy McBain and see the end result – a new bridge actually Built Back Better. The new bridge is three metres higher than the previous wooden structure and now the residents of Wonboyn will not be stranded when it rains. This is a great example of what can happen when the three levels of government work together.

Mayor and bridge.

A big shout out to the volunteers at Cruise Eden, with a cruise ship coming in basically every day over the last week, including the huge Ovation of the Sea carrying 4,500 passengers and 2,000 crew on Saturday. All enjoyed the Taste of Eden Festival at the Seahorse Inn at Boydtown.

Russell and eden cruise.

Speaking of volunteers, it was great to present Bob and Judi Hearn with a Certificate of Appreciation for their 25-year contribution to the Bermagui community, particularly the Montreal Goldfields. We have many great volunteers with long dedicated service to our community. We wish Bob and Judi the best in their return to Western Victoria.

Through the Country Mayors Association I have been actively requesting the Federal Government return the Financial Assistance Grants for regional councils to 1% of federal taxation revenue. It was this figure in 1996 but with various governments since the figure received by local government is now only half of 1 per cent. For our Council, this in dollar terms is a reduced income of around $8 million.

It would be great if both sides of politics committed to returning to this level of funding and thus stopping the large rate increases in almost all regional councils. Positively, the NSW State Government inquiry on this has recommended this should occur immediately.

Finally, it’s great to see the Bega Regional Sporting Complex coming along and running to the scheduled completion toward the end of the year, as well as the handover of the Pambula Sporting Complex occurring soon.

I can’t wait to see the community enjoying these facilities!

 

© Bega Valley Shire Council 2025

Our council websites

Contact Us

Follow us

Sign up for newsletters