Council News 25 July 2018

COUNCIL NEWS 25 JULY 2018

TAFE’s Development Application (DA) to construct a new, modern vocational education campus, called a Connected Learning Centre (CLC) was considered by Council at the July 2018 Council meeting and was subsequently approved subject to various conditions.

The development of this State-of-the-Art facility in Grenfell will allow local students access to a flexible learning and assessment model that will provide personalised and connected learning experiences, better access to teachers both on and off site, and the skills they need for real life jobs in regional communities. In addition to providing local students with access to a greater range of learning and course options, the CLCs are designed to be easily reorganised to suit a variety of community needs.

This approach, supported by the NSW Government, will allow TAFE NSW to significantly enhance its service and presence across regional NSW, with a focus on communities where TAFE NSW doesn’t already have a presence or where out-dated facilities are not meeting the needs of students, employers and local communities.

It is anticipated construction of the CLC will commence in the near future.

Another significant decision made by Council of the July 2018 Council meeting was the decision to fly the Aboriginal flag all year round.

The flying of the Aboriginal flag will assist in the reconciliation process which promotes and facilitates respect, trust and positive relationships between the wider Australian community and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

Residents are reminded that Council has prepared a draft Weddin Wellness Plan to assist in better facilitating coordination of health services in the Weddin Shire and to better understand the future health needs of our ageing community. 

The plan is also seen as being important to provide data for informed advocacy and improved health service delivery. The plan is seen as an important way of communicating to potential investors in health related services from medical to aged care, from suicide prevention and support to improved access to services such as the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). The development of the Draft Plan involved a wide range of service providers. This engagement has highlighted a number of opportunities to capture resources to improve wellness outcomes for the community.

The Weddin Wellness Plan responds to Council’s concern for the health of the community and an increasing ageing population, increasing numbers presenting with chronic disease, high suicide rates, a significant number of people requiring assistance or with a disability. Weddin Shire Council is determined to ensure that community amenity across all areas is the best it can be to support our community.

The draft Weddin Wellness Plan is currently on public exhibition for comment prior to the plan being resubmitted to Council for formal adoption. The draft plan is available at the Council Chambers and on Councils website.

Local sports groups across the Cootamundra electorate are being encouraged to apply for the latest round of funding under the NSW Government’s Local Sport Grant Program.

Member for Cootamundra the Hon Steph Cooke MP advised $4.6 million was now available across the state for upgrading or creating new sports facilities, new sport programs, community events and projects that improve sport participation.

Thousands of local clubs can apply with up to $50,000 set aside just for the Cootamundra electorate.

For more information visit sport.nsw.gov.au/clubs/grants/localsport or phone 13 13 02.

The NSW Government is working directly with telecommunications service providers to improve mobile and digital connectivity in regional and rural parts of NSW through the $50 million Connecting Country Communities Fund. This fund incorporates the Mobile Black Spots Program and the Regional Digital Connectivity Program.

In order to maximize the chance of investment by telecommunications service providers in infrastructure and solutions within our shire we urge residents to share your experience with mobile coverage or internet/digital connectivity by completing the questionnaire available at the following website before 15 August 2018.

https://www.nsw.gov.au/improving-nsw/regional-nsw/regional-growth-fund/connecting-country-communities/

The questionnaire includes a map to outline the area where the issue is occurring. The more people we have that complete the questionnaire the better our chance of being seen as a priority area for investment.

If you have trouble completing the questions online, you can print the attached questions and return them to PO Box 5106 Wollongong NSW 2520 or call 1300 679 673.

Again residents are urged to take the time to identify issues being experienced in the Weddin Shire area.

Weddin Landcare/Grenfell Urban Landcare have advised they would like to conduct a slow burn on Vaughn’s Dam TSR (also known as Grenfell Common).

The burn will be held in conjunction with a workshop to be held on Thursday 26th July, 2018 run by Dr Milton Lewis. The group will then travel to the TSR to conduct the burn and be given a brief overview of the site, its ecological characteristics and the work that is planned for the site.

All residents are invited to attend and further information is available by contacting Mikla Lewis Ph 0499 199 016 or email

Round 2 grants are now available to assist sporting clubs across NSW to purchase and maintain Automatic External Defibrillators (AED) in NSW.

The first eight minutes after a person has a cardiac arrest are the most critical and early access to CPR and defibrillation can increase the likelihood of survival by up to 75 per cent. More than 2500 AEDs will be rolled out over four years, under the Local Sports Defibrillation Program, which will also see community members trained in how to use them.

Further information is available from the Office of Sport website: https://sport.nsw.gov.au/clubs/grants/defibrillator

The new exhibition at the Art Gallery is " Art and Science: The Nature of Documentation" in a joint exhibition by artists Matt Georgevits and Lanny Mackenzie. The exhibition opened yesterday 24 July and is on display until 2 September 2018.   

Matt’s work explores his fascination with birds, and the different interpretations that artists have taken to a supposedly emotionless art form of documentation in ornithology. Matt is exploring how people in this area approach the plight of the artist - taking what they see around them & bringing a little something extra to it.

Lanny uses past memories to create her bespoke, woven art using all materials available to her, both natural and recycled. Using intricate weaving techniques, she attempts to explore the space between concept and expression to bring to life her colourful whimsical creations.

Residents and visitors are encouraged to visit the Art Gallery to view the new exhibition.

The Art Gallery is open Monday to Friday 10am - 4pm, Saturday 10am - 3pm & Sunday 10am -2pm.

Dates to Note

Friday 27 July 2018 –Recycling Collection (Grenfell East)

Monday 30 July 2018 – Recycling Collection (Grenfell West)

Street Stalls

Friday 27 July 2018 – St Josephs P&F

WEDDIN SHIRE COUNCIL

SERVICE NSW

PO BOX 125                                                                                                   AUTHORISED BY

GRENFELL                                                                                                   GLENN CARROLL

                                                                                                                        GENERAL MANAGER