Council News 10 April 2019
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COUNCIL NEWS 10 APRIL 2019
Good news recently received was the announcement by the Deputy Prime Minister and Federal Member for Riverina the Hon Michael McCormack MP that Weddin Shire Council has been granted $1m grant funding under the Federal, Liberal and National Governments Drought Communities Program (DCP).
The funding will help to boost local employment opportunities, stimulate local spending and address social and community needs, help to ease pressures and share economic benefits for people living and working in these areas who have been facing tough times, due to drought. The DCP funding also enables eligible farmers, farm workers and suppliers/contractors in each Local Government area to apply for up to $3,000 per eligible drought-affected household through the Drought Community Support Initiative.
Project funding is intended to provide short-term support by boosting local employment and procurement, and addressing social and community needs. Council is required to complete the proposed local projects by 31 December 2019.
Types of projects that are able to be funded include:
Street scapes Recreational facilities Sporting facilities Road projects to rectify damage caused by drought, upgrade cattle grids, etc. Fencing to allow farm stock to graze safely on common land Network of water standpipes on Council land to provide water to farmers Water carting to provide water for drinking and bathing Events such as new or expanded tourism events (garden festivals, events in the vineyards, concerts) to bring in tourists, farmer days Develop marketing and tourism plans for the region or a township Works to upgrade public dams Flood leveesA grant funding application will be required to be submitted to ensure the projects applied for meet the grant funding criteria. The grant funding deed will then be signed after approval.
In the meantime community consultation will be undertaken to obtain community feedback on where the funding could be spent via the community survey digital panel and the adjacent advertisement. Council is required to complete the projects by 31 December 2019 so time is of the essence.
Further information in regards to the DCP can be found at www.business.gov.au/assistance/drought-communities-programme
In regards to the drought, residents are reminded that 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.
The big news of the week was that Weddin Shire Council at an Extra-Ordinary meeting held on Thursday 28 March 2019 resolved to enter into a lease agreement with Pakmed Group Australia Pty Ltd led by principal Dr Patrick Akhiwu to operate the new Grenfell Medical Centre owned by Council.
The new Grenfell Medical Centre is a joint initiative between the Federal Government and Weddin Shire Council. The Medical Centre will deliver a comprehensive range of health and medical services to the community and the region. Council engaged an independent panel of Health and Local Government specialists to coordinate an extensive process and recommend a model and operator together with other ancillary health services. The panel oversaw an open tender process and subsequently made a recommendation to Council that was adopted at the Extra-Ordinary meeting.
Dr. Patrick Akhiwu will relocate his existing service into the new Grenfell Medical Centre. There will continue to be an extensive and diverse range of health services available from the Grenfell Medical Centre, with a view to providing a central health service for the region. The facility has capacity to see the services expand and to house a variety of medical practitioner services. Council values the services provided by the existing practitioners which are extremely valuable to our community and regional residents.
The Dental facility will be separately leased and negotiations are under way on a lease of that facility and the operation of services into the future.
The official opening of the Grenfell Medical Centre will be held on Friday 3 May, 2019 at 11.00am whereby members of the public will be invited to attend.
Recently, volunteers of the Grenfell Art Gallery were treated by a visit from Bradley Hammond, Director of Orange Regional Gallery, who came to Grenfell and spoke to the volunteers in regards to engaging with visitors to our gallery.
The morning was well attended and everyone thoroughly enjoyed his presentation. Brad suggested that the volunteers see the Archibald exhibition while it is on display in Orange.
As a thank you to all of our wonderful Grenfell Art Gallery volunteers a trip was organised on Wednesday 3rd April 2019. Volunteers travelled to Orange Regional Gallery to view the Archibald exhibition. Loaders Coaches took the volunteers to Orange where a private tour by Cecilie Knowles, Public Engagement and Education Officer, of the Archibald exhibition was undertaken and enjoyed. The volunteers all commented positively in regards to the day and how insightful the trip was. Further trips have been discussed for the future.
Council would like to take this opportunity to publicly thank all the volunteers of the Grenfell Art Gallery and advise that your time and dedication to the gallery is very much appreciated.
Thank you also to Councils Arts and Tourism Officer Claire McCann who did a magnificent job organising the trip.
The current exhibition at the Grenfell Art Gallery is a local exhibition by the Grenfell Community Art & Craft Group and will run until the 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.
A reminder that Weddin Shire Council has introduced the Snap Send Solve app. Snap Send Solve makes it easy for community members to contact Council to report on any issues faster and more efficiently. Like all great ideas, Snap Send Solve was developed from a simple thought – “wouldn’t it be great if I could report this broken swing in the park through an app”. The result has been a robust, user focused, mobile app that takes all the thinking out of reporting to local authorities. The premise was simple: the app works out where you are, who manages the incident within that particular area and then using a users own email address sends through relevant information such as location, incident type and any related image to the correct contact. Simply download the free app on your mobile device – available through the Apple app store or Google Play. More information can be found at https://www.snapsendsolve.com/ This is another technological innovation that Council is introducing to assist our organisation to become more efficient and effective in our operations and delivery of services.
Residents are reminded that the Breast Screen van is operating at Grenfell until Thursday 18th April 2019.
The van is located at Vaughn Park, Melyra Street, Grenfell and there are still appointments available.
If you would like to make an appointment Ph 13 20 50.
The next film to be screened at the Grenfell Cinema will be “A Star is Born” at 7.45pm Saturday 13 April, 2019. Please see the adjacent advertisement for further details.
Dates to Note
Recycling Collection (Grenfell East) – To be advised
Recycling Collection (Grenfell West) – To be advised
Street Stalls
Friday 12 and Saturday 13 April – Grenfell RSL
WEDDIN SHIRE COUNCIL
DRAFT CODE OF MEETING PRACTICE
Residents are hereby advised that Council’s draft Code of Meeting practice is on public exhibition for comment from Wednesday 3 April 2019 to Wednesday 1 May 2019.
The draft plan can be viewed at Council or on Councils website www.weddin.nsw.gov.au
Submissions will be received up until 4.00 pm on Wednesday 15 May 2019.
WEDDIN SHIRE COUNCIL
DROUGHT COMMUNITIES PROGRAM (DCP)
COMMUNITY CONSULTATION
Weddin Shire Council has been granted $1m grant funding under the Federal, Liberal and National Governments Drought Communities Program (DCP) and residents are invited to provide feedback to Council on where the funding could be spent.
Residents are requested to provide feedback or suggestions to Council by 4pm Thursday 18 April, 2019 to Email or the address below.
Further information in regards to the DCP is available at: www.business.gov.au/assistance/drought-communities-programme
April Movies
Come and enjoy a movie or two
Free entry. Booking of seats is preferred.
FOGL will be running a candy bar.
No hot food or alcohol allowed
Bring your own bean bag or cushion for comfort. Chairs are provided.
Sessions
Saturday 13 April 7.45pm for an 8pm start – A Star is Born
Thursday 18 April 1.45pm for a 2pm start – Fantastic Beasts: The crimes of Grindelwald
Friday 26 April 1.45 for a 2pm start – Mary Poppins Returns
PO BOX 125 AUTHORISED BY
GRENFELL GLENN CARROLL
GENERAL MANAGER