Mayor's New Year Message

Lachlan Shire Mayor Clr John Medcalf OAM, would like to wish the Lachlan Shire community all the best for the New Year and, despite the tough drought conditions, is looking forward to many positives in the year ahead.

The Mayor expects 2020 to be a busy and productive year for Council with a robust outlook for capital projects and community development.

He also said that, whilst we are experiencing our own difficulties, we can count our blessings and be thankful to have been spared the devastation suffered by victims of bushfires which have decimated other parts of the country.

“Council sends its thoughts and prayers to the bushfire-affected communities and has offered to provide support for the recently formed Bushfire Recovery Support Group in the form of in-kind support,” he said. “The support offered will depend on the nature of any requests received and could generally involve staff and machinery. Council’s registration with the Support Group is being co-ordinated by the Office of Local Government to match up Council’s offered support with bushfire-impacted communities.”

Council has a significant program of works planned across the shire in 2020 which will help stimulate tourism, develop community infrastructure, enhance water security and improve the road network. More information about these projects can be found on Lachlan Shire Council’s website in Council’s Delivery and Operational Plan. Further details on each project will be provided prior to work commencing.

At its December meeting, Council resolved to include several potentially suitable projects of public benefit in its funding application for Round Two of the Drought Communities Program.

Councillor Medcalf said suitable projects includes the “employment of a rural support worker to help drought-affected residents apply for government funding assistance, and payment of rental assistance to bring a mental health councillor into Lachlan Shire.”

Also being proposed for the Program are the delivery of previously identified projects in Council’s Village Enhancement Plans.

“There are many of these projects which could be undertaken by local residents within each of our towns and villages,” the Mayor said. “They could provide short-term employment for drought-affected people while delivering enhancement-plan outcomes.”

Council is also busy preparing further applications for the Building Better Regions Fund Round Four.

“If successful, we will use the funds to pay for further work at Utes in the Paddock and to construct a new amenities building for the Lake Cargelligo Swimming Pool,” the Mayor said.

The Mayor would like to thank residents for taking notice of the water restrictions, asking that Tottenham, Albert and rural customers along the B-Section Pipeline continue to be particularly mindful of water usage. The ongoing drought has led to little water being available from Leg O Mutton dam to supplement the water supply from the B-Section Pipeline, creating critical water shortage for Tottenham and Albert.

Council is working closely with Parkes Shire Council to maximise the water delivery through the pipe and to develop uniform water restrictions for all water users along the pipeline. Currently, water restriction levels are set and implemented independently by each Council with no statutory obligation on adjoining Councils to co-ordinate restrictions across local government areas. Lachlan and Parkes Shire Councils recognise the inequity of this situation and are seeking to develop common water restrictions for consumers along the B-Section Pipeline.

Discussions are also being held with officers from Infrastructure NSW to determine ways of accelerating the delivery water infrastructure improvement projects which have already been approved. These include the Condobolin Borefields II development project, Tottenham Water Supply Improvement project and the Effluent Re-use Project for Lake Cargelligo, Tottenham and Condobolin.

Work is continuing on the Tullibigeal Recreation Ground irrigation project, water bore development and delivery water pipeline. At this stage it is expected that the successful contract will be onsite from late February or early March 2020.  

“I ask that everyone take care of each other during these tough times, and I encourage those affected by the ongoing drought to seek assistance.”

Government financial assistance can be applied for on the following websites:

·         https://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/climate-and-emergencies/droughthub/drought-assistance

·         https://www.raa.nsw.gov.au/

·         https://www.business.gov.au/Grants-and-Programs/Drought-Assistance-Fund-NSW

 “Also, if people are having trouble paying their rates they can request assistance under Council’s Financial Hardship Policy,” the Mayor said.

“If anyone is struggling mentally with the drought burden, there is help available so please don’t be afraid to reach out. Local services are being provided via the Condobolin Health Service whose number is 02 6890 1500.”

Condobolin Health Service hosts a mental health worker every Thursday and a social worker fortnightly on Tuesdays. Bookings to see these specialists can be made through Parkes Health Service on 02 686124 00.

For urgent crisis support, contacts are:

·         Lifeline 13 11 14   Lifeline.org.au

·         Mensline 1300 789 978   mensline.org.au

·         Beyond Blue  1300 224 636   beyondblue.org.au

·         1800Respect  1800737732   1800respect.org.au

·         Kids Help Line 1800 55 1800   kidshelpline.org.au

·         Suicide Call Back  1300 659 467

 RELEASE ENDS

For any enquiries please contact MAYOR JOHN MEDCALF OAM on 0429 937 248.