The 2016 year has certainly proved to be a significant year for the Boorowa Business Chamber.

In the first part of the year we were offering support to the Boorowa Councils initiatives for our shire, before being thrust headlong into a contentious amalgamation process.   

Having the Amalgamation forced upon us made us fight for what was best for Boorowa and thankfully the three town Amalgamation of Boorowa, Harden and Young prevailed to produce the Hilltops Shire Council

This placed the BBC in a very different role, we have now become the strong voice for not only Boorowa, but the outlying villages of Rye Park, Rugby, Reids Flat and Frogmore.

We now not only represent and support business interest, but also that of every ratepayer within the old shire.

In the latter part of 2016 we attempted to lift the membership of the BBC by raising awareness to business and ratepayers that a strong voice will be required under the newly formed Hilltops Council.

We targeted all business including farmers and residents alike, the response was not great and showed a definite apathy.

The BBC will continue to keep a high profile through regular newspaper articles and look to other forms of media to stimulate awareness, after all, we are all pulling the same way, for Boorowa and the Hilltops improvement.

With Wendy Tuckerman’s position as Administrator for the new Hilltops Region coming to conclusion in September this year, the first Mayor and Councilors of the Hilltops will be voted for.

With the population base clearly in Young’s favour, both the old areas of Boorowa and Harden are likely to be under represented.

The BBC will play a significant role in supporting our elected Council members and insisting that our local requirements as part of the Hilltops Region, continued to be met using our strong voice and if need be, our legal clout.    

We will continue to seek solid support from and represent our local business and ratepayers.

There are some major challenges to overcome;

Despite the exceptionally wet winter, we have not forgotten that Boorowa township during the summer of 2016, came within three weeks of having to truck water into the town for local consumption.

In this the new millennium, it is unacceptable that this situation arises.

We are aware that a solution for a reliable, quality water source for the town, through hard work by the Hilltops Shire is being worked on.

The members of the BBC Executive have worked hard in each of the portfolios that they administer, these issues include;

With the work of some very dedicated locals and the previous council administration, Boorowa gained the “All Day Care Centre” in 2016, this is indeed a sign of growth for the town.

Looking forward we are facing an exciting future with CSIRO coming to Boorowa, they have sold at Gungahlin and are investing significantly here in Boorowa having already purchased a large tract of land on the edge of town.

This alone is a clear message to big business: have your H/O in Canberra, but have your warehousing and feet on the ground in the satellite city of Boorowa!

Throughout the 2016 year, the BBC has been privileged to have some exceptional visitors come and speak very openly to our members.

Wendy Tuckerman and Anthony McMahon fitting us into their busy schedules and answering every question put to them in such an open manner. I thank Wendy and Anthony for giving us their time.

Also Mark Eastward, one of the Hilltops Senior engineers who happily kept us informed of local road solutions after the very wet winter.

I look forward to the excitement that Hilltops presents and believe under good consistent management, the new Hilltops Region will thrive. 

Again, it has been a solid year and my thanks to members who were able to attend meetings, the guest speakers at General Meetings that we have enjoyed and the Executive committee for their hard work and diligence.