Cr Di Bell: Kannamaroo resilience on show

Published on 30 November 2021

Cr Di Bell

How great to see all the activity returning with WMT Black Friday promotion, the launch of the HRCC Christmas Shopping Bonanza promotion for December, and a huge weekend of activities in another modified version of the annual Kannamaroo Festival.

The first Kannamaroo Festival was held in 1980 and has been modified over the years due to drought, risk management changes, (which ceased some of the very popular activities on the river), and now a pandemic. Great to see it is continually modified and hasn’t missed a year.

However, like many events, Kannamaroo is now in desperate need of new committee members. It would be great if community members put there hands up to help an event that they are interested in, even in a small way.

Sun shining and lots of smiling faces, spread along our amazing natural river front in the Showgrounds and Maydale Reserve to offer the greatest area for Covid safety. Topped off with the stunning MIXXFM pyromusical fireworks.

It’s starting to feel we are easing into a new way of managing our life to develop a “new normal”.

In Council we are now starting to develop the budget process for 2022-2023, and it’s a good time for Councillors to hear from community members.

What do you believe are the most important projects, service and maintenance needed to improve the lives of our community across the municipality?

Is it big projects like the City to River? Is it more toilets and upgrading existing? Is it footpaths? Rural roads or Horsham urban roads? Is it improvements to the area north of the railway? A community centre (for community groups like U3A, and other community groups)?

Is it a museum, cultural centre or indoor/outdoor sporting precinct? Is it upgrading Apex Island, finishing the rowing club area from stage 1 of City to River? Is it upgrading and building more playgrounds? Is it upgrading the CBD?

Please list and number, what you think is needed, in order of importance.

So much to consider, so it’s important we hear from you.  Please email your ideas to di.bell@hrcc.vic.gov.au or phone 0437 949 186. Other Councillors may wish to hear from you too, as I am only one of seven representing you.

As this will be my last column prior to Christmas, I wish you joy being out and about, reconnecting with family and friends, and picking a spot to holiday that explores new horizons. 

Wishing you a wonderful Christmas and New Year, with many special shared moments with those close to you.