Members of the Public are invited to attend the next Council Meeting which will be held Thursday 23rd July in Council's Chambers at 6.30pm. On the agenda are the following matters;

The Draft 2015/2016 Municipal Plan which contains the budget and rates for this financial year. General rates are budgeted to increase by 5% or $32.74 and waste management charges by 13.9% or $40.26 which is overall an increase of 7.7%. There are a significant amount of roads that will be resealed this year. Details of the roads are available on council's website.

The Thorak Regional Cemetery Master Plan has been on display for public comment. It is included in the agenda for adoption. It will be used as the guiding document for the future development of the cemetery.

Council is placing more of a focus on planning matters within the municipality. Myself and staff have been attending community meetings and getting to know the stance of residents on a number of planning matters. We are building a special page on our website which will outline development applications and Council’s response to them, together with Council policies and positions related to planning, and I encourage residents to check this out and provide us with feedback. The website should be updated in the next week or so.

The Girraween/Anglesey Road Roundabout Project is a progressing according to schedule. Updates are available at www.litchfield.nt.gov.au.

My report to the Minister for Local Government and Community Services, the Hon Bess Price on the affairs of the council has now been provided to the suspended members for comment. Once the Minister receives any submissions from the suspended members she will make a decision to either reinstate the members or call fresh elections. The Minister should make the decision around mid to late August.