Council News 27 June 2018

Council News 27 June 2018

COUNCIL NEWS 27 JUNE 2018

The NSW Government’s $1.3 billion Regional Growth Fund (RGF) is aimed at supporting projects valued between $100,000 and $1 million, or even higher with financial co-contribution. The current status of the grant funding application within the RGF is detailed below:

Stronger Country Communities Fund

Council’s grant funding application under the Stronger Country Communities Fund which is an integral part of the RGF was successful with Council to receive $768,982 under Round 1.

The grant funding will be utilized to undertake the Main Street infrastructure project which will assist in revitalizing the Main Street and the business sector. The project will involve upgrading drainage and guttering infrastructure in the Main Street as well as improving Main Street amenities.

Council is also currently applying for Federal Government grant funding under the Building Better Regions Fund (BBRF) and State Government grant funding under the Regional Growth Funds, Growing Local Economies Fund to be allocated to the Main Street project to facilitate the commencement of the project. If the grant funding applications are successful, then the $1.537m under Round 2 of the Stronger Country Communities Fund will be able to be allocated to local sports and amenity projects. If the grant funding applications are unsuccessful half of the $1.537m will need to be utilised for the Main Street Project. The criteria for this program stipulates that 50% must be allocated specifically to sport related facilities. The Main Street project is a high priority in our Community Strategic Plan (CSP) and its commencement will see another major infrastructure project being undertaken which is also very significant for the business sector in Grenfell.

In this regard and as previously resolved by Council grant funding applications have been submitted under the Stronger Country Communities Program Round 2 in priority order as detailed below:

Henry Lawson (bottom) Oval male and female home and away rooms, officials rooms; toilets and canteen; amenities building and base spectator area Quandialla pool treatment pumps and drainage remediation Rugby Union (Bembrick Grounds and Amenities upgrade) Grenfell Tennis courts and lights renewal Grenfell Squash Court renewal Bogolong Dam entry and water access development Caragabal Country Club facilities upgrade

Supplementary applications have also been submitted as detailed below if the BBRF and the Growing Local Economies applications are unsuccessful:

Main Street beautification This will be withdrawn once the Expression of Interest (EOI) for the Growing Local Economies fund is accepted. If the EOI fails, then it is proposed to withdraw the Henry Lawson Oval Amenities Renewal Application so that the main street project can be completed. An EOI for Henry Lawson Oval can then be submitted at a later date. Henry Lawson Oval amenities spectator seating in case there are extra funds available or if any of the projects submitted do not fully meet the criteria. Henry Lawson Oval Fitness Track/Equipment submitted on the basis that if the above EOI fails additional funds will be available to expend on this project.

It is anticipated the outcome of the grant funding applications will be known by August/September 2018.

Regional Cultural Fund

It is proposed to resubmit an Expression of Interest (EOI) in Round 2 when it opens on behalf of the Grenfell Dramatic Society to upgrade the Grenfell Community Arts Centre building and on behalf of the Grenfell Art Gallery Committee to install solar power for the community hub building and temperature control for the Art Gallery.

Regional Sports Infrastructure Fund

Detailed grant funding applications for both the Grenfell Go Kart Club project and the Bogolong Dam project have been submitted.

The detailed applications will be determined under the Round 2 guidelines which require a 25% co-contribution of the grant amount and target projects over $1m. Council is aware it’s discretionary capacity to fund the 25% contribution is limited given that Council has provided funding to the Grenfell Aquatic Centre and the Grenfell Medical Centre. As a consequence, the RSIF applications were made under a ‘hardship’ provision in the guidelines. This then allows ‘in kind’ contributions to be taken into account in meeting Councils 25% contribution.

It is anticipated the outcome of the grant funding applications will be known by August/September 2018.

Growing Local Economies Fund

The NSW Department of Premier and Cabinet have advised that an expression of Interest (EOI) for an Economic Renewal and Digital Connectedness Project valued at $2.2mil can be prepared and submitted.

Council is required to contribute 25% of the grant value with Council again endeavoring to claim the hardship provision.

The Growing Local Economies fund EOI incorporates the Main Street upgrade which will provided a boost to the private sector and enhance visitors experience in the business district.

It is anticipated the EOI under this fund will be submitted in the near future.

After the Department of Human Services arrangement for the provision of Access Point Services with the Grenfell Court House ceased in 2014 the Grenfell Internet Centre stepped in to fill this void and allow the continuation of access to these services in Grenfell.

Access Points provide free self service facilities for customers to conduct their business with the Department of Human Services (Centrelink/Medicare/Child support). There is a dedicated internet enabled computer (provided and maintained by Human Services) for customers to access digital services. 

This arrangement has operated successfully since the 2014-2015 financial year with little impact on the normal functions of the Internet Centre and is another great example of where Council is collaboratively working with other government departments to deliver services to our community which might otherwise be lost.

The Department of Human Services has invited Council to again provide these services for the 2018-2019 financial year which Council has accepted.

NSWPLA is the peak body for public libraries in NSW which exists to - advocate effectively, initiate partnerships, champion the public library cause, build trust and support, provide relevant information, foster cooperation and collaboration and to strengthen the public library network.

As a member of the Central West Zone of the NSW Public Libraries Association (NSWPLA) Council have previously been invited to appoint a NSWPLA councillor delegate to ensure that that the political aspect of the Association is both understood and strengthened.

The Central West Zone typically meets half yearly at locations throughout the zone (next meeting is in Mudgee). Voting is done by Council appointed delegates and not the Library Managers. Currently there are approximately 2 – 3 of the 14 Councils within the zone with an appointed delegate. 

The NSWPLA executive has requested advice as to whether:

Council has/will appoint a NSWPLA Councillor delegate, and if so who that Councillor is? Council has not appointed a NSWPLA Councillor delegate and does not intend to do so?

Council considered the invitation at its June 2018 Council meeting, whereby it was resolved that Cr Phillip Diprose be appointed as Councils NSWPLA delegate.

The NSW Gone Fishing Day will be held Sunday 14 October 2018 with free NSW Department of Primary Industries community fishing events running at Grafton, The Entrance, Botany Bay, Huskisson, Queanbeyan and Forbes from 9 am - 3 pm.

Recreational fishing clubs, organisations and community groups are invited to apply for grants to help run community fishing events and activities in their own local area on the NSW Gone Fishing Day. 

Applications close 16 July 2018.

For further information visit https://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/fishing/recreational/resources/go-fishing-nsw

The current exhibition at the Grenfell Art Gallery is "Commonality " by local artist Brent Logan which opened Wednesday 13 June and is on display until 22 July 2018.   

Brent’s work aims to explore the human condition in an ever changing society through environmental     portraiture. He uses photography as a story telling tool to showcase diversity throughout the community, but most importantly to show the common goal of acceptance and inclusion to all that emerges through our differences.

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

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

 

Dates to Note

Friday 29 June 2018 –Recycling Collection (Grenfell East)

Monday 2 July 2018 – Recycling Collection (Grenfell West)

Street Stalls

Friday 29 June 2018 – Leisure Group OCC

PO BOX 125                                                                                                AUTHORISED BY

GRENFELL                                                                                                   GLENN CARROLL

                                                                                                                     GENERAL MANAGER