Guest speaker was Frank Zaknich, General Manager with Albury City Council.  He has joined Albury City from Broken Hill City Council where he had been General Manager since 2006. He brings with him a wealth of local government experience during a career that’s included senior positions in rural and metropolitan councils across NSW and South Australia.  Mr.Zaknich presented an informative outline of proposed investment in infrastructure supporting growth in Albury …   “Future-proofing the City”. He said there are a number of projects on the horizon for Albury that he was looking forward to delivering and there were certainly some exciting times ahead for this community in which he was  pleased to be involved.  Some 2013-2014 budget highlights …

The Budget proposes a $3.65M road and drain rehabilitation program. Approximately 40 local roads will be resealed and rehabilitated in 2013-14. Rehabilitation projects include:
– Gerogery Road, between Wagga and Hub Roads, and between Winchester Lane and Himalaya Drive;
– Table Top Road, from Old Sydney Road to Somerset Road;
– Wagga Road, between Henry Drive and the Freeway;
– Urana Road, Heathwood Avenue to McDonald Road, and McDonald Road to Schneider Street.

AlburyCity has also planned a $9.1M investment to fund essential sewer upgrades and improve water quality and supply across the city.

Other highlights of the 2013-14 Draft Budget include:
– $4M to fund the runway overlay at the Albury Airport
– $1M to fund environmental improvements at the Albury Waste Management Centre
– $810K* towards the Murray River Experience – Wagirra Trail Project
– $801K* to begin detailed design of the Albury Regional Art Gallery Redevelopment
– $675K for the Kerr Road realignment
– $143K to continue the upgrade of Mate Street
– $109K to continue the sportsfield renovation program.

He mentioned that he was fortunate to be joining a very talented and capable senior management team delivering great things for this city. He said one his priorities would be continuing to work towards the delivery of the Albury 2030 Community Strategic Plan. He appreciated the warm welcome to the position and added that he was excited to be part of Albury City which has a great reputation and is well known as one of regional New South Wales most progressive and innovative organisations.