Council News 26 September 2018

Council News 26 September 2018

COUNCIL NEWS 26 SEPTEMBER 2018

Council’s Mayor Cr Mark Liebich was re-elected unopposed at the Council meeting held on Thursday 20 September, 2018 for his seventh term. Cr Paul Best was elected Deputy Mayor for his third term as Deputy. Congratulations to Cr Liebich and Cr Best who are no doubt very keen to lead Council through the challenging times ahead as well as continuing various projects as detailed in Councils 2017-2021 Delivery Program. As well as the Mayoral elections Council delegates were appointed to various organisations. Community representatives were also appointed to committees under Sec 355 of the Local Government Act 1993, as detailed below:

Heritage –John Hetherington, Denise Yates and Sandra Hughes Tourism – Warwick Crampton, Denise Yates and Alan Griffiths with Tina Cooper appointed as the village representative Art Gallery – Hugh Moffitt, Mary Moffitt and Warwick Crampton Bogolong Dam – Darren Nealon, Robert Grimm and Alan Griffiths

Congratulations to all appointees and thank you for giving your time so freely to assist the various committees achieve their objectives.

Similar to Weddin Shire the majority of Council’s are conducting their Mayoral elections during September. Council has recently been advised of the following results of surrounding Councils which may be of interest to residents:

Hawkesbury City Council - Mayor Barry Calvert, Deputy Mayor Mary Lyons Buckett Bland Shire Council - Mayor Brian Monaghan, Deputy Mayor Liz McGlynn Lockhart Shire Council - Mayor Rodger Schirmer, Deputy Mayor Cr Greg Verdon Upper Lachlan Shire Council – Mayor John Stafford, Deputy Mayor John Searl Forbes Shire Council – Mayor Phyllis Miller OAM, Deputy Mayor Cr Jenny Webb

The new 2018 Model Code of Conduct for Local Councils in NSW (the Model Code) and Procedures for the Administration of the Model Code of Conduct for Local Councils in NSW (Procedures) have been finalised and will soon be prescribed by the Local Government (General) Regulation 2005.

The Minister for Local Government has released the soon to be prescribed Model Code and Procedures for the information of councils, joint organisations and code of conduct practitioners. Copies of the new Model Code and Procedures are available on the Office of Local Government’s (OLG) website at www.olg.nsw.gov.au

Some of the requirements of the new Code of Conduct are as follows:

Mandatory reporting of all gifts regardless of value in the council gift register Councillors prohibited from accessing information about matters they have pecuniary interests in unless it is otherwise publicly available Suspensions for pecuniary interest breaches will count towards the “three strikes and you’re out” scheme introduced in 2015 where councillors face automatic disqualification when they are suspended three times for misconduct Councillors must declare new interests more regularly in official returns of interest lodged with their Council New standards relating to discrimination and harassment, bullying, work health and safety, use of social media, access to information and maintenance of Council records.

Councils and Joint Organisations cannot adopt the new Model Code and Procedures until they are prescribed as the legislative framework needs to be in place to support their adoption. OLG will provide more detailed guidance when the new Model Code and Procedures are prescribed.

In the meantime Council considered the new Model Code of Conduct at its September 2018 Council Meeting and resolved to engage Mr Glenn Inglis to undertake Code of Conduct training for Councillors as part of their professional development prior to the adoption of the new code.

With the Grenfell Aquatic Centre completed the Grenfell Medical Centre/Health Hub in progress as well as planning for the upgrade of the Grenfell Sewerage Treatment plant, the next major infrastructure upgrade on the Community Strategic Plan is the upgrade of Grenfell’s Main Street.

Council has been granted NSW Government funding of $768,982 under Round 1 of the Stronger Country Community Fund and is currently awaiting determination on its application for a further $1,200,000 grant – to assist with the Main Street upgrade.  

Streetscape infrastructure improvements are proposed to provide direct functional benefits and character enhancement for the CBD, but will also be catalysts for delivering economic and social gains for the Shire and regional community. Notwithstanding the significance of such a program, the total budget likely to be available to Council for the project requires clear design priorities and budgetary discipline for ensuring an economic and sustainable outcome.  

A summary of the key function and character features of the concept include:

footpath area and safety optimised by removing vehicle overhangs and exhaust gases increased frequency of pedestrian (shorter)road crossings provided at central islands vehicle speed reduced through narrow entrances to Main Street and car movement central ninety-degree parking, extra wide bays (3m), along the full street length parallel parking, standard size bays, along both kerb sides the length of Main Street provision of ample numbers of disabled parking bays at optimum locations incorporation of enhanced street tree planting pattern, kerb side and centrally reservation of ample green islands and road crossing refuges as median features flexible activity and events space incorporated in footpath extensions and median The proposal will be submitted to the Traffic Committee on Wednesday 3 October 2018 for endorsement prior to trials of this model being be undertaken in Main Street, allowing community use, appreciation and feedback on the Concept Design.Weddin Shire’s Council’s Digital Panel will also be circulated with similar information during the on-site trials and invited to try out the trial precincts in Main Street and make comment through the digital feedback process. During the two on site trial periods the scheme will be on public display and community feedback sought on the proposal. The Consultation period will begin with a community presentation of the full Grenfell Main Street Renewal report and Draft Design Concept. That will be followed with a public display at the Council Chambers and in the Main Street (at the Hub) of the plans of the general Concept. This will include illustrations of the key details and dimensions to assist the communities understanding. The concept aims to be most cost effective in consideration of the limited construction budget, and to maintain high car parking yields for peak usage periods, with increased disabled provisions. Overall the concept achieves this, with the added benefit of the return to pedestrian priority, with the existing wide footpath now safer, cleaner and enjoying more shade and opportunity for socialising, event pop-up or public art and interpretation installations.

At the conclusion of the trials and Community consultation process a summary report will be submitted to Council with a recommendation to Council on how to proceed with the Design Concept – in whole, in part or with some variation accommodating feedback from the community.

The National Farmers’ Federation (NFF) has welcomed the passing of legislation to extend the $20,000 “instant asset write-off” for another year.

“The instant asset write-off” is an effective way to assist farm businesses to build resilience by incentivising investment in farm equipment and machinery valued at $20,000 or less. At a time when farm business resilience is stretched to the limit managing drought, the measure is a sensible taxation reprieve for farmers.

The $20,000 write-off complements new accelerated depreciation measures announced as part of the Federal Government's drought support package. Under the measures, farmers can claim costs expended on fodder storage, such as silos and hay sheds, after one year as opposed to three.

The NFF will continue to call for taxation incentives to support farm businesses particularly through this terrible drought.  

Further information is available at www.nff.org.au

Residents are advised that all “Go Grenfell” Gift Cards will be expiring on 30 September 2018. Please make sure that if you have a “Go Grenfell” Gift Card you use it in the participating local stores BEFORE this date.

Residents can visit www.whyleavetown.com/check-card-balance to check your expiry date and balance online.

For more information, please contact either: Claire McCann @ Weddin Shire Council on Ph 6343 2855; or Natasha Coffey @ WLT Promotions on 0433 106 350.

The current exhibition at the Grenfell Art Gallery is "The Call of the Wild" by a group of creators in NSW called the Wilderists which is on display until 14 October 2018.

"Wilderism" n. represents artists that go into the wilderness to seek inspiration and connection to 'place' through direct experience. These artists then create from their heart without regard for accepted ways of creating but rather seek to develop through loose and energetic techniques the raw forces seen in nature itself.

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

 

 

Dates to Note

Friday 5 October 2018 –Recycling Collection (Grenfell East)

Monday 8 October 2018 – Recycling Collection (Grenfell West)

Street Stalls

Friday 28 and Saturday 29 September 2018 – Grenfell Rotary Club

WEDDIN SHIRE COUNCIL

DEVELOPMENT PROPOSAL

ENVIRONMENTAL PLANNING & ASSESSMENT ACT 1979

DA 49/2018

Council has received an Application for a Single Storey Ambulance Station with 3 internal parking bays and internal facilities for administration, storage spaces and amenity facilities over LOT: 59 DP: 739569 21 Sullivan Street (Cowra Road) GRENFELL 2810.

Inspection:      The application DA 49/2018 for a Single Storey Ambulance Station with 3 internal parking bays and internal facilities for administration, storage spaces and amenity facilities may be viewed between the hours of 9.00 am to 4.00 pm from 17 September 2018 and 8 October 2018 at the Council’s Office, Camp Street, Grenfell.

Submissions:   Any person may make a submission in writing to the Consent Authority within the advertised period.  Submissions objecting to the development are required to specify the grounds for objection.

Written submissions are to be received at Council by 4.00 pm on 8 October 2018

 

 

WEDDIN SHIRE COUNCIL

DEVELOPMENT PROPOSAL

ENVIRONMENTAL PLANNING & ASSESSMENT ACT 1979

DA 54/2018

Council has received an Application for Dual Occupancy (detached) over LOT: 16 DP: 710091 1 Burrett Street GRENFELL 2810.

Inspection:      The application DA 54/2018 for Dual Occupancy (detached) may be viewed between the hours of 9.00 am to 4.00 pm from 21 September 2018 and 5 October 2018 at the Council’s Office, Camp Street, Grenfell.

Submissions:   Any person may make a submission in writing to the Consent Authority within the advertised period.  Submissions objecting to the development are required to specify the grounds for objection.

Written submissions are to be received at Council by 4.00 pm on 5 October 2018.

 

 

 

WEDDIN SHIRE COUNCIL

TENDER T4/2018 – DEMOLITION AND CONSTRUCTION OF GIBRALTAR ROCKS ROAD BOX CULVERT

Tenders are invited and will be received up until 2:00 pm, Tuesday, 16 October 2018 for the Demolition and construction of Gibraltar Rocks Road Box Culvert over Caragabal Creek on Gibraltar Rocks Road, Caragabal, NSW 2810.

A compulsory on site pre-tender meeting and site inspection will be held at Gibraltar Rocks Road Box Culvert, Caragabal, NSW 2810 on Monday, 8th October 2018 at 10:00 am. Tenderers are required to attend the meeting in order to submit a conforming tender.

Tenders must be lodged in accordance with the requirements detailed in the tender documents. Tender documents are available from Weddin Shire Council’s website www.weddin.nsw.gov.au.

The Principal shall not be bound to accept the lowest or any tender.

Please direct technical enquiries by email to

 

 

WEDDIN SHIRE COUNCIL

POSITIONS VACANT

Council invites applications from suitably qualified and experienced persons for the following position: -

Loader Operator Laborer General

Please submit written applications with details of qualifications, drivers licence, WorkCover Certificates and work experience together with written references and/or the names of two people who may be contacted for work references.

Further information and a job description can be obtained by contacting Maegan Rassack or Katherine Baker during business hours on (02) 6343 1212.

Applications for the position should be sent to the General Manager, Weddin Shire Council at the address below and will close at 2 pm on Wednesday, 10 October 2018.

The Weddin Shire Council is an equal employment opportunity employer and provides a smoke free work environment.     

WEDDIN SHIRE COUNCIL

POSITIONS VACANT

Council is inviting applications from motivated and enthusiastic persons to fill the following positions:

Truck Driver Patch Truck Labourer Patch Truck Operator Apprentice Gardener Apprentice Mechanic Casual Labour for Weeds  

Appointment to the position will be in accordance with the Local Government (State) Award.

Further information and job descriptions can be obtained by contacting Katherine or Maegan during business hours on (02) 6343 1212, email or visit Council’s website at www.weddin.nsw.gov.au

Applications for this position close 4 pm Wednesday, 17 October 2018 and should be forwarded to the undersigned.

WEDDIN SHIRE COUNCIL

GRENFELL AQUATIC CENTRE

The Grenfell Aquatic Centre will open for the 2018/2019 swim season from Monday 1 October 2018 with hours being:

Monday to Thursday: 6.00am – 8.00am, 10.00am – 1.00pm, 3.00pm – 7.00pm

Friday: 6.00am – 8.00am, 10.00am – 1.00pm, 3.00pm – 6.00pm

Saturday: 6.00am – 8.00am, 10.00am – 7.00pm

Sunday: 11.00am – 7.00pm

Public Holidays: 11.00am – 7.00pm

PO BOX 125                                                                                               AUTHORISED BY

GRENFELL                                                                                                   GLENN CARROLL

                                                                                                                    GENERAL MANAGER