Tom Clyburn lighting update still possible

At Council's March meeting, Cr Jenny Weaver requested a report on the possibility of Council assisting the Canowindra community with the upgrade of its community bus.

The report was presented to this week's May council meeting.

Canowindra Rugby Club currently owns three aged buses that are regularly used by community groups and hired out for private use.

Groups that currently hire the buses are mainly for the senior residents of Canowindra and include Home and Community Care, the Gentle Exercise group at the hospital, Happy Wanderers and Golden Oldies.

The Community Building Partnership (CBP) program is an avenue for the Canowindra Rugby Club to update its fleet. The CBP program opened on 4 May 2020 and closes on 12 June 2020.

Council's Grants Coordinator has offered to assist the Canowindra Rugby Club with their own application if required.

Discussing the matter at this week's council meeting, Cabonne mayor Kevin Beatty cautioned: "If we (provide funding) for the rugby club of Canowindra it then opens the door for requests from nearly every group in the shire to do exactly the same, as in sporting groups, and we have a lot of them".

Council general manager Brad Byrnes told Tuesday's meeting: "If we get into community transport in this way it could have an impact financially on us in a big way".

Canowindra councillor Jenny Weaver told the meeting that the buses are used for seniors trips as well as for rugby away games.

"They're certainly well used and I'd hate to see the seniors of Canowindra misss out because they haven't got a bus," Cr Weaver said.

"This report flags there are grants there to repair the situation short term but longer term there are clubs and all sorts of other groups that could expect that service delivery from council," Mr Byrnes said.

"It doesn't preclude us (from assisting) at all but is one thing we have to consider," he said.