A delegation of Central Darling Shire Councillors and senior staff will visit the City of Ryde later this month as part of an intensive fact finding visit to further consolidate the new Partnership Alliance between the two Councils.
The Partnership aims to strengthen ties between the Councils by identifying and developing a program of strategic initiatives for staff, Councillors and members of the community to exchange ideas, expertise, opportunities and experiences.
Highlights of the tour (31 March 2 April) include:
A meeting with the newly formed Country Council Advisory Committee (made up of local business and community representatives, Councillors and staff)
Mayoral Reception at Brush Farm House
Tour of major developments at Top Ryde, West Ryde & Meadowbank, plus Macquarie University Rail Station, Lane Cove National Park, Ryde Park,
Ryde Aquatic Leisure Centre
Meeting with Macquarie University Vice Chancellor
Site visits to Optus HQ, Ryde TAFE, Eden Gardens
We are delighted to reciprocate the warm hospitality we received when our own delegation made a flying visit to the Central Darling Shire in October last year.
This fact finding tour will provide the delegation with a snap-shot of the City of Ryde of our people, our major institutions, capital works, as well as education, leisure, heritage and tourism facilities.
We hope than many social, economic and learning benefits will flow between our communities as a result of this growing relationship.
Commenting prior to the visit, the Mayor of Central Darling Shire, Clr Ray Longfellow, said: The motto of our Council is working towards making the Central Darling Shire a better place to live and visit and we see this visit and our future sharing of resources will have a very real and long lasting impact on our community.
Central Darling Shire Delegates:
Ray Longfellow Mayor (Ivanhoe)
Tim Hazell Acting General Manager
Kym Fuller Manager Community & Economic Development
Greg Stephens Director of Engineering
Mel Brown Administration Officer Executive Support
Moya Reid Councilor (Menindee)
Robert Vagg Councilor (Ivanhoe)
Barbara McMillan Councilor (Wilcannia)
Located in the far west of the State, the Central Darling Shire takes in an area of over 53,000 square kilometres, (about the size of Tasmania) making it the largest Local Government Area in NSW, but with one of the smallest residential populations. (See profile below)
By contrast, the City of Ryde is home to 110,000 residents as well as the fourth largest CBD in Australia (Macquarie Park), and its 16 suburbs are spread over a 44 square kilometre area.
Central Darling Shire Profile
Central Darling Shire is the largest Shire in NSW and yet has the smallest population. It covers an area about the size of the main island of Tasmania and yet has a population of less than 2,000 people. The Shire is extremely diverse with four main communities that are all different in their commerce, geography and cultures.
Wilcannia, the administration centre of the Shire has a fascinating history of river heritage having once been the prime port for the shipping of wool for the entire western district of NSW. It has a large number of sandstone buildings and a rich indigenous culture.
Menindee, also on the banks of the Darling River, was the stepping off point for Burke and Wills as they left what they knew as civilization and headed into the vast interior of Australia. Menindee today has a strong and quickly developing horticulture industry and is a growing tourism destination.
Ivanhoe was once a thriving rail town as the positioning point for change-over crews on the transcontinental rail line, it is now more of a stopping off point for tourists headed north and south along the Cobb Highway. It is the centre of a traditional pastoral area and still provides agricultural products and services for a large part of the Shire.
White Cliffs is an opal-mining town. Rumours abound with stories of the local that found "a big one"! It is true that there is more tourism activity than mining these days and it is a very unique experience with opportunities to stay in an underground motel or guest house, to visit a solar power station or art galleries and even a most unique jewellery manufacturer.
Ends
Media contact: Lee Kirkland, City of Ryde, T 9952 8083 M 0434 306 444
