At a meeting of Council last week, Councillors voted to allocate $25,000 from the Built Asset Replacement Program for the upgrade of the downstairs kitchenette in the Civic Centre. 

Director of Infrastructure and Operations, George Ridley, said the upgrade would mean the food service area downstairs would be brought up to health standards and that work was needed on flooring, shelving and benches. 

“It’s not unreasonable to ask ourselves to be at the same standards,” Mr Ridley said. 

He also noted that $20,000 would be needed to upgrade the upstairs food service area in the future. 

Councillor Bruce Miller echoed the Director’s statements, saying every restaurant and cafe and has been under scrutinyand the Civic Centre needed to be brought up to scratch. 

“We need to practice what we preach,” Cr Miller said. 

Councillor Peter Wright however noted that upgrades to the Civic Centre would be taking place in the next few years and that $25,000 was a considerable amount of money for a “facelift”. 

Cowra Mayor, Councillor Bill West argued that this was a matter of urgency as community groups use the facilities on an ongoing basis. 

“The real issue is the food service area does not comply,” Cr West said. 

Councillor Wright then agreed the upgrade was a “necessary thing to do”.