My predecessor Ian Gosper has left some big shoes to fill, but I vow to do the best I can to represent everyone equally.

I wish to thank fellow councillors for their faith and support. I will need the help of all councillors, staff and the community.

Being the Mayor was the last thing on my mind when I was elected two years ago, but I agreed to take on the role after Cr Gosper decided to step down.

Implementing our $12 million roads program, the completion of the Yeoval-Cumnock sewerage scheme, the efficient delivery of all council services and guiding Cabonne through the Local Government reform process are my highest priorities.

In these times of austerity, Council also needs to provide ratepayers with the best value for every dollar we spend.

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WHEN A THIRD OF COUNCILS are said to be operating in the red, Cabonne Council has returned a surplus for the eighth successive year.

Cabonne's audited financial statements showed a net surplus of almost $7.3 million in 2013-14 and an operating surplus of $814,000 before capital grants.

This underlines Cabonne's position as one of the most financially sound and sustainable councils in NSW.

I congratulate Councillors, General Manager Andrew Hopkins and his staff for balancing com-munity needs and expectations with sound fiscal management, which has been the cornerstone of successive Council budgets.

Cabonne has developed operational plans which have upgraded and maintained our 2100km roads network, provided new community facilities, maintained existing assets and continued a range of services without living beyond our means.

Announcing the latest Local Government reform proposals this month, NSW Premier Mike Baird said a third of the State's councils were facing major financial problems, collectively losing up to $400 million a year.

The Premier wants communities to have confidence their Council is financially sound, operating efficiently and in a strong position to guide community growth and deliver quality services.

The latest financial statements show Cabonne Council is delivering all the Premier's objectives.

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CABONNE HAS SAVED ALMOST $20,000 since electronically distributing Council business papers two years ago.

Supplying Councillors with iPads avoided the need to print more than 13,700 pages of content, saving $19,300 and 1.29 tonnes of paper. By the end of this four-year term, Council should save about $50,000, 2.6 tonnes of paper and 11 weeks of staff time.

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STREAMLINED COUNCIL MEETING procedures have been introduced to improve efficiencies and enable Councillors to focus on future strategic directions and business improvement.

Monthly committee meetings have been discontinued and Council will conduct one meeting on the fourth Tuesday of the month. This will enable Council to hold special sessions, workshops and inspections on the day previously set aside each month for committee meetings.

Council meetings will now start an hour earlier at 1pm, with the next meeting to be held on Tuesday October 28, 2014.

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TWO NEW SEATS AND A RUBBISH BIN will be installed along the Molong cycleway to make the popular riding and walking route more user-friendly.

Council will spend $3000 to place the new facilities near the railway crossing at the eastern en-trance to the town.

The path has become increasingly popular with walkers since a $120,000 extension provided access from the Molong Recreation Ground to Hunter Caldwell Park. Council hopes the new seats will be a welcome addition, particularly for the many older walkers who use the path.

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AUSTRALIA DAY AWARDS nominations are now open for Citizen of the Year, Young Citizen of the Year and Community Group of the Year in Cabonne's various towns and villages.

Nomination forms are available from Council's Molong, Cudal and Canowindra offices, as well as from Council's website. Forms have also be sent to all Australia Day Committees and schools within the Shire. Nominations close on Monday 13 October 2014.