Carrathool Shire councillors gathered at Goolgowi on July 15 for their monthly meeting, with all but two members present after Councillors CM McKeon and NJ Smith were granted leave of absence.

The two-hour session covered the usual mix of infrastructure updates, financial reports and policy decisions that keep the shire ticking along.

Road improvements get the green light

The biggest spending decision of the day saw councillors approve $100,000 from the Local Roads Reserve to fix up the troublesome intersection at Milton and Cowper Streets in Hillston.

The corner has been causing headaches for drivers, and council finally decided it was time to do something about it.

Council also received updates on their ongoing culvert program and the Regional and Emergency Road Works funding, which still has two years to run with around $2.4 million available each financial year.

Water policy changes ahead

In a move that will affect local residents, council voted to put their revised Water and Sewer Subsidy Policy on public exhibition for 28 days.

The policy removes the water usage subsidy that Carrathool Public School currently receives, with the school to be formally notified of the change.

If no objections come in during the exhibition period, the policy will be automatically adopted.

Electricity bill dispute continues

The ongoing saga with Rankins Springs Sport and Recreation Ground Committee took another turn, with council firmly declining to pay the facility's electricity bills.

Councillors made it clear they expect the committee to cover operational costs from user fees and charges.

All Section 355 committees across the shire have now been asked to provide financial reports for the year ended June 30.

Water leak detection program

On the infrastructure front, council noted that an Active Leak Detection Program will roll out across the water supply network from July, with repairs to follow up any leaks the survey discovers.

Conference delegates chosen

Looking ahead to November, Councillors A-M Young and B Furner were selected as delegates to the Local Government NSW Annual Conference in Penrith, with Councillor Furner nominated as the voting delegate.

The shire's Management Accountant will also attend.

Financial snapshot

Council confirmed payment of accounts totalling $5,770,804.31 for June and noted their investment portfolio was performing in line with policy requirements.

The meeting wrapped up just before noon, with the next ordinary meeting scheduled for Tuesday, August 19 at 10am, though the venue is yet to be confirmed.

Two councillors declared non-pecuniary conflicts of interest relating to agenda item 10.17, with Mayor DL Jardine noting his wife's role as secretary of Hillston Ladies Golf Club, and Councillor HJ Lyall declaring her positions as president of the golf club and treasurer of the local CWA branch.