Cycling in Albury

Albury is blessed with a “Mediterranean – type” climate and is an ideal place for cycling.  This is shown by the rates of cycling in Albury being significantly higher than the NSW average.  We are also fortunate that the Council has a dedicated plan looking at cycling in the city and future increases in the amount of dedicated bike lanes and trails and parking and storage facilities.

On the downside we also have a higher than average “crash” rate caused by a number of factors.  Council has considered many of the factors and their analysis has guided them with cycle planning in the city.  The Albury Bicycle Plan 2009 – 2014 is due for review in 2013 and this will give cyclists a great opportunity to have a direct input into the future of cycling here.

What things need to be done?

The Bike Plan envisages a continuing increase in off-road bike paths as well as an increase in dedicated bike lanes on existing roads.  The Council has been progressing steadily with the construction of paths and the path to the east towards Hume Dam is slowly progressing.  The Wagiarra trail linking Mungabareena and Wonga wetlands provides an opportunity for a path along a very scenic route.

Bike paths also provide a great opportunity for regional councils to work together to integrate the various paths and provide a unique cycling experience in the area.  Cycling should be used as a drawcard to attract tourists to the area if the cycling experience can be linked to the other attractions we have.

Safety

Safety rates highly in the Bike Plan and we must continue to focus on this.  Good signage is critical to warn motorists and cyclists of potential hazards associated with shared use of roads and paths.  Maintenance of road shoulders is very important and cyclist’s needs must always be considered in the design of facilities and “traffic – calming” devices.  The use of “pinch points” at a school crossing in Thurgoona is a good example of where the position of cyclists was not considered.

About me

I am 65 years of age and am a regular cyclist for both recreation and commuting.  I have competed in 5 Around the Bay rides and will do my 6^th in October this year raising money for The Smith Family.  I have ridden in the Great Victorian Bike Ride and Bike SA’s Annual Tour.  I am frequently out on the roads training.  When I first moved to Albury in 1980 I was inspired by the sight of Dr Allan Hogan grinding his way up the Jindera Gap and now Ioften grind my way up the same hill on training rides.  From my home in Glenroy I use my second bike for small shopping trips at Lavington and business in Albury.

I am keen to support the development of further cycling infrastructure and if elected to Council would also lobby for joint action with Wodonga Council to establish an integrated area cycling network.

Albury 2030 plan and higher rates

We read in the Border today that higher rates are here to stay based on community feedback to the Councils' 2030 plan.  Apparently the community's feedback to the 2030 plan has given the Council a mandate to move forward.  I guess that means that we approve of what they are doing and are quite happy to pay for it all.

Of course people want things (who doesn't?) but we should always ask the supplementary question.  How much are you prepared to pay for it?  Then we might get different feedback.

Why not set a budget in which some of these big projects are clearly costed for the community so that they can see the impact on their rates when they choose certain projects.  Then we might get some clearer view of how much the community wants these things rather than just the motherhood statements that come when you ask questions in the following form:

Would you like to save the Uiver?
Would you like to save the Cumberoona?
Would you like to save the old flour mill?
Would you like an upgrade of the art gallery? and so on.

All of these might be admirable projects but can we afford them and are we prepared to pay by way of higher rates.  Are there ways we can save money so that we can have some of these things or are there other funding avenues?

As I am intending to stand for Council in September I would appreciate any feedback you might have to my comments here.

Group voting system

If the present Councillors don't like the voting system why haven't they worked hard to have it changed to a more appropriate system for a regional Council.  They could have lobbied the minister for Local Government or taken the issue to local government conferences and get like-minded councils on side.

As I have said before it is a system that might be appropriate in large cities like Sydney, Newcastle and Wollongong where political parties operate.  But in a regional city it discourages individual members of the community from having a go. We need more individual voices on Council not groups voting in blocs and doing deals.

We need independent councillors who can represent the ratepayers with respect and reason.

Council committees

Very interesting night at some Council committee meetings last night.  The Finance and Administration committee is fascinating.  It would appear that the Council has something like $3 million of investments on their books which could probably be best described as "junk bonds".

Like a lot of Australian councils they bought some dubious investments and as maturity approaches we will find out how bad the situation is for our finances.  But who made the decisions and how did the Councillors get on board.

Don't get me wrong, this stuff is complicated so we all need to ask questions and I certainly don't pretend that I am perfect.  Perhaps we would still make the wrong decision but we must try.  I have always asked questions when I don't understand.  What do you do?

Make a comment or ask me a question.  I'll try to answer.

The Thurley Team

As you all know it's difficult, almost impossible, to get elected unless you have a group square above the line.  To do that you need a group of at least 5 people. 

I can now say that I have a group all of whom would be very able Councillors.  The most important thing is that I have a number 2 who would be a great Councillor and is prepared to back me and the group.  Ordette Mannering is standing at number 2 on the team.  I'll let you know soon who the others are but they are all credible people who can give me great feedback and advice.

We want to bring respect and reason into the equation.  Respect for all other Councillors even if we don't agree.  We should all be prepared to argue strongly for the things we believe in but when the vote is taken we need to respect the decision made democratically.

And of course reason!  Decisions need to be made with the evidence and the facts as much as possible.  Get the evidence, talk to the ratepayers and listen and then try to make the best decision on the balance of the evidence.  I know I will not be able to satisfy everyone about everything but I will be able to be honest and sincere and work as part of a team to bring about better governance than we have had for the last 4 years.

Deja vu

I've just come back from a week's holiday and reading the paper makes me feel like I've never been away.  One Councillor calls another a liar and asks a third Councillor, who she hasn't talked to for 4 years, to corroborate the story that he lies.  So another council meeting where the pressing issues for the ratepayers are secondary to the personal attacks and vitriol.

Isn't it time to change and that means we need some new blood on Council.

I can tell you that I have a good second member on my team and we will soon announce the group that will stand in September.  Now I will have a group voting square and you can vote for me and my team with a vote above the line.  I would also encourage you to vote below the line where you must number 5 boxes to cast a valid vote.  My suggestion is that you number 9 boxes and make it clear to Councillors where they stand in your estimation.  Who you want, who you will have and who you don't want.

If you send me a message I will listen so send a strong message to the other candidates to show that you are fed up with the way things are.

More shenanigans

I went on holiday for a week and when I came back it was deja vu.  One Councillor calls another a liar and asks another Councillor who she doesn't talk to to corroborate a story!  I really don't know how much business was discussed at last Monday's meeting.

Cr Betteridge has a team and he wants to see "an end to the brawling".  Perhaps he could arrange for our publicans to give the Councillors a drink before meetings and it might calm them down.  It doesn't seem to work in Dean Street but maybe our Councillors are more mature and can handle a quiet drink.

And now we read that candidates are struggling to get teams together.  I am too but people should be ready to support good experienced people who have the interests of the city at heart and are prepared to put in.  If you don't like the teams then vote below the line and choose the people you want to represent you and get things done for Albury.