“The big news is we’ve started stage one of the main city levee upgrade, which will be completed by April,” councillor Conkey said, taking a moment to reflect on the year-that-was. “I expect work on stage two will start around the same time stage one finishes and hopefully by this time next year we’ll have completed the main city levee.”

Council was in the spotlight for all the wrong reasons at the start of the year, with general manager Alan Eldridge standing aside amid claims of impropriety – claims he refuted – before he was finally sacked in May. 

Riverina library chief Robert Knight filled in as general manager for several months before handing the role of acting general manager over to former council director James Bolton in August. Tamworth council talent Peter Thompson was eventually recruited in October and took on the task of providing long-term stable leadership at the end of November.

“I certainly thank James and Robert for their work, they stepped in at a difficult time and did a lot of hard work during their terms as acting general manager,” Cr Conkey said. “The new general manager has hit the ground running… we’re looking forward to working closely with him for the next five years.”

There was also controversy surrounding council’s decision to change household rubbish collection – a move many saw as going against the public’s wishes. Despite the backlash, the changes were pushed through, but the key organic waste collection appears increasingly unlikely to be ready before the changes begin.

Despite the controversy, council also managed to deliver on long-awaited projects, from the $3.4 million upgrade at the saleyards to completing the Bomen Enabling Roads and working toward building the Riverina Intermodal Freight and Logistics hub.

According to Cr Conkey, 2018 would also be a big year for council, with the Eunony Bridge design on the way and the Bolton Park multipurpose stadium set for completion before Christmas after years of delays. 

“Work should start on January 29 and be completed by November,” Cr Conkey said. “The $9 million project will have three indoor netball courts and can be converted into an entertainment facility to accommodate 3100 people.”

It’s a very exciting time for the city, as Cr Conkey is fond of telling everyone.

“We’re rock-solid,” Cr Conkey said. “This is the most exciting time the city has ever had.”