Council News 8 August 2018

Council News 8 August 2018

COUNCIL NEWS 8 AUGUST 2018

Member for Cootamundra the Hon Steph Cooke MP recently announced a further $500 million of support for farmers through the NSW Government’s Emergency Drought Relief Package which is great.

The NSW Government has now committed more than $1 billion to support farmers through the developing drought. At this point in time Weddin Shire appears to be more fortunate than other areas in NSW particularly in the northern and western parts of the State which haven’t had rain for a long period of time and now are experiencing extreme difficulties.

The $190 million Drought Transport Subsidies will cover up to 50 per cent of the full cost of transporting fodder, water for stock and livestock to pasture, slaughter or sale, and this relief measure will be backdated so that farmers can access subsidies for costs incurred since January 1 this year.

Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW John Barilaro stated that the drought has quickly worsened across the state as June and July were drier than expected, and farmers have been forced to source fodder from interstate as local supply has deteriorated.

The relief measure has been backdated to the start of the year when the drought intensified, especially in the Upper Hunter and Western NSW, which means eligible farmers who made the decision to destock earlier this year will still benefit from this new relief package.

The three major elements of the $500 million Emergency Drought Relief Package are:

Approximately $190 million for Drought Transport Subsidies Approximately $100 million for cutting the cost of farming fees and charges – by waiving Local Land Services rates, waiving fixed water charges in rural and regional areas, and waiving class one agricultural vehicle registration costs, among other initiatives, and $150 million to bolster the Farm Innovation Fund (FIF) infrastructure program;

The package also includes funding for:

Counselling and mental health; Critical services in regional communities including transporting water and drought related road upgrades and repairs; Animal welfare and stock disposal.

The NSW Rural Assistance Authority began processing applications from Monday August 6, 2018.

More information on the NSW Government’s emergency drought relief package is available at: www.droughthub.nsw.gov.au

The Federal Government announced last weekend that they will also be providing assistance through the extension of the Farm Household Allowance (FHA) scheme which is terrific news and will help farmers through this terrible drought.

Further information on the FHA scheme is available by Ph 1800 900 090.

Council has been advised that we have again been invited to be a provider of the Department of Human Services Access Point Services via the Grenfell Internet Centre for the period commencing 1 July 2018 to 30 June 2019.

The provision of this service has been operating well and is another example how our Council is proactively collaborating with other levels of government to ensure access to and the continuation of services within the Weddin Shire. 

A reminder that 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-countrycommunities/   

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.

The Henry Lawson Festival was held from the 7 – 11 June 2018 and the general consensus was that the festival was excellent with approximately 5,000 – 6,000 people attending which was absolutely magnificent considering the weather.

The festival executive, committee, coordinators and all of the volunteers should be justifiably proud of their efforts and ultimate achievement of making the festival a great success.

A debrief session was held on Tuesday 17 July, 2018 with a full review of the festival undertaken to ensure the 2019 festival will be even bigger and better.

The committee is now having a well earned break for a few months prior to the Annual General Meeting (AGM) in October.

While the Henry Lawson Festival volunteers did a magnificent job many people these days find it very hard to volunteer due to time shortages.

If you are a person who doesn’t want to join a committee but happy to give an hour or two of your time when you can, then this method of volunteering could suit you.

Many organisations in our Shire are also struggling to find people to help, quite often they just need an extra hand for a particular task. It may be to help stand a marquee, set up some fencing, prepare food, hang signage, decorate a venue, put out chairs etc.

The Grenfell Visitor Information Centre is looking to create an email only database of people who are willing to volunteer a few hours of their time. Organisations will have the opportunity to contact the Visitor Centre and request an email to be sent out to the database with their request for help. The email will state the task they need help with, the date and time. If you are able to help with the organisation their contact details will be in the email so you can contact them directly.

If you would like to be added to this database please contact the Grenfell Visitor Centre by sending through your email address to or calling Ph 6343 2059.

Council appoints community representatives to a number of its committees and these representatives are due to be appointed at Council’s September Meeting for the period 1 October 2018 to 30 September 2020.

Accordingly nominations are currently being invited for the following committees: 

Heritage - 3 positions 

Tourism - 3 positions

Art Gallery - 3 positions 

Bogolong Dam - 3 positions 

Written nominations close on Friday 24 August, 2018. A form is available at the Council Chambers or clicking here.

It’s Girls’ Round and Holden have introduced the Holden Home Ground Advantage (HGA) program with cash grants available to sporting clubs and community organisations who embrace and promote the participation of girls in sport.

With funding available for anything from new uniforms to facility upgrades, clubs will simply need their details and project to apply.

For more information, visit www.holden.com.au/homegroundadvantage

Applications close on the 31st of August, 2018.

The current 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 10 August 2018 –Recycling Collection (Grenfell East)

Monday 13 August 2018 – Recycling Collection (Grenfell West)

Street Stalls

Friday 10 August 2018 - Grenfell PAH&I Assoc.

 

WEDDIN SHIRE COUNCIL

WEDDIN LOCAL HERITAGE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM

Council is seeking expressions of interest from owners of property who may wish to undertake conservation works on structures that could be classed as having historic or heritage value.  Conservation work includes repairs, replacement, painting or removal of inappropriate alterations additions.

Each application will be treated on its merit and all ratepayers are eligible to apply.

Applications need to be returned to Council by the 31 August 2018.

Application forms may be obtained from the Shire Office, website, by telephoning the Office on 63431212 or emailed if requested.

 

WEDDIN SHIRE COUNCIL

COMMUNITY REPRESENTATIVES FOR COMMITTEES

Council appoints community representatives to a number of its committees. 

Council’s committees are due to be reappointed at its September Meeting for the period 1 October 2018 to 30 September 2020. Accordingly nominations are invited for these committees, being:

Heritage                                  - 3 positions

Tourism                                   - 3 positions

Art Gallery                              - 3 positions

Bogolong Dam                        - 3 positions

Written nominations close on 24 August 2018.  A form is available at the Council Chambers or Council’s website www.weddin.nsw.gov.au

 

 

 

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