PORT Macquarie-Hastings Council general manager Tony Hayward was a welcome guest at last month’s meeting of the Port Macquarie District Combined Probus Club.
In his interesting address, Mr Hayward outlined his career in local government and spoke of the challenges facing councils both in the Hastings and throughout NSW.
Mr Hayward said the challenges of an ever-increasing population was putting pressure on Port Macquarie’s road system, in particular the congestion in Lake Road, Ocean Drive and Hastings River Drive.
He said the upgrade of Port Macquarie Airport meant the increase in traffic along Hastings River Drive was inevitable.
Mr Hayward also spoke of the need to refurbish many of the timber bridges in the area. He said 19 of the 54 timber bridges in the area needed replacing or refurbishing at a cost of many millions of dollars.
He also urged everyone to vote “yes” in the coming referendum to have local government recognised in the Australian constitution.
