The decision follows a rescission motion moved by Cr John Searl JP and seconded by Cr James Wheelwright at last week’s Council Meeting to rescind Council’s decision, made on May 18, 2017, to hold future Council Meetings at the Crookwell Memorial Hall.

Cr Searl moved the rescission motion at last night’s Council meeting after feedback from the public gallery in attendance at the June 15 Ordinary Council Meeting indicated the venue was cold and the acoustics made it difficult to hear the proceedings of Council.

Councillors in favour on the motion said the move was only a trial. Councillor Opie said to give it time as we have only had the one meeting at the Hall and that was no real indication.

In the discussion, Councillors said that Council needs to remain flexible and if there is a large item on their agenda which will attract a large gallery then they should be able to advertise at short notice and move the meeting back to the Memorial Hall to accommodate the interest.

The gallery has also raised the question on many occasions as to why the gallery can’t ask questions to the Councillors at the end of each meeting.

Absent from the meeting were Cr’s Kensit and Cummins.

Ordinary Council Meetings will continue to be held at 6.00pm on the third Thursday of the month.

It is important that our town centres reflect the vibrancy and beauty of our Shire and contribute to making the Upper Lachlan an attractive place to live, work, invest and visit.

This project will guide the future look and feel of our towns and villages, so it is essential that we get it right.Everyone with an interest in this project is encouraged to complete the survey by Monday August 21.

To further inform the project, Fresh Landscape Design will hold discussions with key community groups and local representatives across the Shire during August. Many of these groups are already holding meetings to collate community ideas ready for discussion with Fresh Landscape Design.

The ideas of the Shire’s young people will also be canvassed through a competition for school- aged children. The survey is on Council’s website.