Improvements are on the way for the main street of Hay.

Work is set to start next week on improvements to the main street to provide a stronger road and a smoother and safer journey for up to 5000 vehicles that drive through the town each day.

Hay Shire Council General Manager, David Webb welcomed the announcement made on Monday afternoon.

“Council staff have been working with TfNSW on the Lachlan Street surface upgrade works for the past two years and we look forward to the works finally being undertaken.,” Mr Webb said.

Two requests for financial assistance by waiving fees and charges have met with a firm no from Hay Shire Council, and community and sporting organisations and groups can expect this to continue, at least for the current financial year.

“We do not have any money left in the budget,” General Manager, David Webb said. “Council is not immune to economical pressure.”

Hay and Carrathool Shire Councils are joining forces to develop a 10-year roadmap outlining practical actions councils, business, industries and communities can take to diversify their economies.

This includes building economic, social, cultural and environmental resilience.

The Resilient Economy Roadmap for Hay and Carrathool Shires is being developed as part of the Regional Drought Resilience Planning Program.

“The roadmap is for the future of our region, to be developed in collaboration with community, industry and government members,” Hay Shire Council General Manager, David Webb said.

Concern was raised at Council last week over safety issues if a Development Application for a service station on the Sturt Highway was approved.

“This proposed development is just a stupid idea. It’s dangerous,” one of the objectors, Judy Jarratt told Council.

Mrs Jarratt, who lives next to the proposed service station between Russell and Moama Streets in South Hay, said she has witnessed near misses due to the speed vehicles travel past her house.

Hay Shire Council has confirmed its support to the local Rural Fire Service in the face of an inquiry into NSW RFS arrangements with Local Government.

With the bushfire season underway, the upcoming inquiry into the effectiveness of NSW RFS's asset management and operations will be undertaken by a parliamentary committee.

Hay Youth Taskforce has identified the need for a safe place for young people to gather and socialise.

The community building at Park, which is close to all three schools, is considered underutilised and has the potential to redevelop into a modern youth and community indoor/outdoor space.

Hay Shire Council has successfully applied for funding under the Regional Youth Investment Program to develop concept plans to redesign the space, consult with stakeholders and develop detailed building plans and cost estimates.

Hay Shire Council and Hay Lions Football and Netball Club partnered again for the annual native fish restocking in the river around Hay, and 8000 Murray Cod and Golden Perch fingerlings were released west of Sandy Point on New Year’s Day.

Hay could have its own university by as early as next year.

A pilot campus for Country University Centre in partnership with TAFE Connected Learning Centre has been proposed, and to be known as CUC Hay.

As reported by Hay Shire Council in October and in The Riverine Grazier on November 15, Hay had been identified as a good fit for CUC Southern Riverina which would also include the Councils of Berrigan, Edward River and Murray River.

Hay Shire Council and Hay Plains Landcare Group have formed a partnership to address the beautification of the South Hay roundabout precinct.

And the Landcare group is keen to recruit volunteers.

Council has back-flipped on its final Murrumbidgee River Masterplan adopted two years ago which included the redevelopment of Sandy Point Reserve, particularly around the beach and boat ramp.

A Notice of Motion was received by Council for the recent October meeting from Cr Martyn Quinn, calling for the return of the beach as it was before last year’s flood event.

Council’s unrestricted cash remains sound with a balance $8,648,000 showing in the financial statements.

Even allowing for prepaid grants of $6,133,000 which are included in this figure, this still a very satisfactory result for the year and gives Council sufficient cash moving forward.

“Good financial management would be to try to keep this figure around this mark, although there is scope to use some of these funds if required,” Director Corporate and Community Services, Mark Dowling said.

At the recent Hay Shire Council meeting, the updated Investment Attraction Strategy was presented to council. The 2022 – 2027 IAS was adopted in 2022 and has guided the economic development function of Council.

The community of Hay turned out to celebrate 50 years of Hay Bridge. Story and photo gallery.

A former councillor and employee of Hay Shire Council, Roger McGrath has labelled the draft Lachlan Street Upgrade Master Plan as one which will stifle existing businesses and restrict future development in the main street.

An amended application for the demolition of the former ANZ Bank building was approved by Council at its recent meeting, which will see the entire structure being pulled down.

This comes after Council imposed a condition that the remaining front wall be subject to engineer designed support.

“I considered this condition to be unnecessary,” the applicant, and owner of the building, Roger McGrath said.

A first-class restaurant facility, The Drunken Ram, has been approved for Lachlan Street, and demolition of the adjacent former ANZ Bank building will enable the developer to increase the footprint.

A proposed Hay Resource Recovery and Eco Park initiative is moving ahead slowly, with strong interest being shown.

General Manager, David Webb has been authorised by Council to actively seek potential proponents for stages two, three and four of the park.

Council Staff have developed a concept plan for the establishment of the project, with full development of the park estimated to be $740 million.

A 3-bin system is expected to be introduced in Hay Shire by July 2024 to replace the current weekly single bin collection.

Industrial land, freight movement and housing development are all included in Hay Shire Council’s updated Aerodrome Master Plan.

The plan is now ready for community consultation and also includes general aviation and biodiversity offsets.

Deputy Mayor Lionel Garner received little support when he mentioned there was an “easier” way to solve Hay’s problem with abandoned dogs.

Image: Stock