Council News 27 February 2019

Council News 27 February 2019

COUNCIL NEWS 27 FEBRUARY 2019

The Weddin Shire Drought Information Night was held at the Grenfell Bowling Club on Monday 25 February 2019 with approximately 150 residents in attendance.

The Member for Cootamundra the Hon Steph Cooke MP and James Cleaver from the Rural Resilience Program were in attendance and also assisted in the organisation of the event.  A number of speakers from different organisations discussed what is available in terms of funding, assistance, counselling services and answered questions from community members.

John Beer from the Rural Financial Counselling Service, David Rothschild, Department Human Services, Anne Worrad the General Manager of Grenfell Community Health, Chad White from the Weddin Suicide Prevention Project, Sue Baxtor from On Farm Support, Phillip Diprose from Grenfell Men’s Shed and William Morrow from the Grenfell Food Hall all spoke in regards to the type of assistance they are able to offer.

It was an excellent night whereby attendees were able to know who to contact if assistance is required.

The Rural Financial Counselling Service NSW Central Region have advised that Financial Counsellor, John Beer is available to visit Grenfell. The Rural Financial Counselling Service provides free impartial and confidential services to farmers and small agricultural businesses.   They also provide information and assistance with farm innovation funds, natural disaster assistance and can assist in helping clients with a better understanding of their financial position.  Appointments are necessary and can be made on Ph 1800 940 404 or mobile 0408 973 723.

Central Tablelands Water (CTW) have recently implemented Level 2 Water Restrictions from 1 January 2019.

Level 2 restrictions consists on an “odds and evens” system under which watering of gardens and lawns is permitted only every second day between the times of 6am to 9pm, not with the use of fixed sprinklers.

All information pertaining to the requirements of Level 2 Water Restrictions are available on CTW’s website www.ctw.nsw.gov.au or by contacting the CTW administration office on Ph 6391 7200.

CTW will continue to closely monitor the inflows into Lake Rowlands and long term rainfall forecasts of the Bureau of Meteorology to determine when the restrictions can be removed.

Member for Cootamundra the Hon Steph Cooke MP has welcomed the National and Liberal Government’s investment in local agricultural businesses, following the announcement that the Farm Innovation Fund will be boosted to $1 billion.

Farmers will be eligible for low interest loans of up to $1 million to help identify and address risks to their farming enterprises, improve permanent farm infrastructure, ensure long-term productivity and sustainable land use and prepare for challenging seasonal conditions.

Key changes include:

An additional $5 million for emergency water supplies to ensure towns have access to safe and reliable water; Increasing the amount farmers can claim on Drought Transport Subsidies from $30,000 to $40,000; and An additional $2 million to connect people to support services through the Rural Resilience Program.

For more information on the Farm Innovation Fund, visit www.raa.nsw.gov.au/assistance/farm-innovation-fund.

The NSW Government’s Business Bus will visit Grenfell to provide specialist advice to small business owners looking to become more productive and profitable. The Business Bus visits regional communities across NSW, connecting small businesses to their local Business Connect service and provides information and referrals to other programs and services for small businesses.

Book a time to visit at www.industry.nsw.gov.au/businessbus or go and visit the Bus anytime between 9am - 3pm. If you can’t make it to the Bus on the day, register to speak to a Business Connect local advisor at https://business-connect-register.industry.nsw.gov.au/    

Business Connect is a dedicated and personalised NSW Government program that provides trusted advice to help you start or grow your small business. 

The Business Bus will visit Grenfell – 67 Main Street between 9am and 3pm, Tuesday 5 March 2019.

National Families Week will be held from the 15 - 21 May, 2019.   The aim of National Families Week 2019 is to celebrate the vital role that families play in Australian society. The theme 'Stronger Families, Stronger Communities' has been embraced as an enduring theme for National Families Week as it encapsulates the important role families play as the central building blocks of our communities. Community wellbeing is enhanced by family wellbeing. National Families Week is a time to celebrate with your family, make contact with your extended family and friends, and share in the enjoyment of family activities within the wider community. Organisations, businesses and individuals are encouraged to celebrate National Families Week by planning and holding a National Families Week event. It can be a morning tea or something that is suitable.   Further information regarding the week is available on the following website: https://familiesaustralia.org.au/events/national-families-week/  

Council lodges an annual report in regards to food inspections undertaken within the Shire and has received positive feedback from the NSW Food Authority.  

The Food Authority analysed the activity report data submitted by all Councils in NSW and decided upon 11 key measures to benchmark recommended practices and to compare each Council to their state-wide counterparts.  An analysis of the data submitted by Weddin Shire Council shows that no areas of concern were identified which is a great achievement by our local businesses.

Council’s works program is continuing and the following works have been completed, are currently in progress or about to commence:  

New Forbes Road strengthening and widening Grading of Berendebba, Hancock, Flynns, Kangarooby, Thuddungra, Major West Roads and McCallisters and Scotts Lane Firebreaks commenced and completed Sucker control and table drain maintenance commenced on Sandy Creek Road Medical Centre construction continuing Emu Creek rehabilitation continuing Roadside spraying program continuing Caragabal Park upgrade works continuing

These works are all part of Councils works programme and are vital to ensure our assets are upgraded and maintained for the benefit of our residents.

The coming months will continue to be very busy with a number of events taking place, detailed in the updated events schedule below: 

Grenfell Art Gallery Exhibition - 26 February Grenfell Tennis Centre Quiz Night - 1 March Small Business Bus -5 March Grenfell Speed Shear- 31 March Grenfell Picnic Races- 14 April Millinery Workshop 21 April 2018 Weddin Business Awards- April 28 Grenfell Rodeo- 26 May Henry Lawson Festival of Arts- 7 - 11 June

There is certainly a lot happening in the next few months which is excellent as these events are very important to the economic and social fabric of our Shire.

The new exhibition at the Grenfell Art Gallery is a local exhibition by the Grenfell Community Art & Craft Group and will run from the 26th February, 2019 to 14th April, 2019.

The Grenfell Art Gallery is proud to showcase the recent works of our highly regarded local arts group. For many years they have been meeting at their Rose Street Rooms and enjoying friendship and art tuition.

This collection showcases their more recent works. These include still life, landscapes of local scenes in pastels, watercolours, acrylics and oils. Depending on the work in progress, there may also be some fine sketches and possibly charcoal works.

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

The next film to be screened at the Grenfell Cinema will be “A Star is Born” at 8.00pm Saturday 9 March, 2019.  Please see the adjacent advertisement for further details.

Dates to Note

Friday 8 March 2019 –Recycling Collection (Grenfell East)

Monday 11 March 2019 – Recycling Collection (Grenfell West)

 

Street Stalls

Friday 8 March 2019 – FOGL

WEDDIN SHIRE COUNCIL

ROADWORKS

Weddin Shire Council proposes to carry out road works on the Mid-Western Highway at the Greenethorpe Bumbaldry Road intersection with preliminary survey works to commenced on the 25th February, 2019. The works involve the clearing of land for sight distance purposes followed by drainage structure widening and intersection widening to allow for the safe movement of heavy vehicles.

Council expects that roadworks will be completed by the 30th June 2019 with speed restrictions and traffic control in place for the duration of the work. The works are subject to satisfactory weather conditions. Working hours will be between 7am and 6pm.

Possible delays may be experienced during the road works. Council apologises for any inconvenience and will endeavour to act as promptly as possible particularly if you need access to property gates throughout the worksite.

Please contact Shahab on 0417 808 276 or Phil on 0439 980 098 if you have any enquiries.

 

March Movies

Come and enjoy a movie or two

Free entry.

FOGL will be running a candy bar.

No hot food allowed

Bring your own bean bag or cushion for comfort. Chairs are provided.

Sessions

Saturday 9 March 7.45pm for an 8pm start – A Star is Born

Tuesday 12 March 10am for a 10.15am start – Tully

Booking of seats is preferred.

PO BOX 125                                                                                              AUTHORISED BY

GRENFELL                                                                                                 GLENN CARROLL

                                                                                                                   GENERAL MANAGER