Council News 27 March 2019

COUNCIL NEWS 27 MARCH 2019

The big news of the week was the announcement in Grenfell on Friday 23 March 2019 by the Deputy Prime Minister and Federal Member for Riverina the Hon Michael McCormack MP that Weddin and Cowra Shires have both been granted $1m grant funding under the Federal, Liberal and National Governments Drought Communities Program (DCP). 

When officially announcing the funding, Mr McCormack advised that the decision to extend the program was based on rainfall deficiency recorded over the two years to 31 December 2018 as well as agricultural workforce and other economic data such as unemployment. This extension 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. Arrangements are being finalised to make sure this valuable support can become available as soon as possible which is great news.

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.

Further information in regards to the DCP will be provided in due course.

Council is also pleased to announce that after a lot of hard work and collaboration with the Caragabal Community we have received advice from the Hon Niall Blair MP that the NSW Government will provide financial assistance to Weddin Shire Council of up to $30,000 for water cartage to Caragabal up to 30 June 2019.

Potable and Non-potable water will be carted to Caragabal which will hopefully relieve some of the stress of the on-going drought for our residents, which is great news. Residents are requested to call Council before ordering water and Council will contact and place orders with the contractor engaged to cart the water. It would also be appreciated if residents could please call Council before your tank is empty as this will ensure arrangements are in place for refills.

Please contact Amy at Weddin Shire Council for further details Ph 63431212.

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 Hon Steph Cooke MP has advised a major milestone was reached last month on the project to replace the Lignum Creek Bridge on the Mid Western Highway, 60 kilometres west of Grenfell, with the concrete poured to form the new bridge deck.

Ms Cooke said the NSW Government has invested $6.7 million under the Bridges for the Bush program for the work to demolish the existing old wooden bridge and replace it with a new, wider, 72 metre long concrete bridge which would be able to better accommodate heavy vehicles.

Now this milestone has been reached, work has started on connecting the existing highway to the new bridge, and putting the finishing touches on the bridge, including the side rails and new road surface on the bridge deck.

Changed traffic conditions will continue at the work site, including reduced speed zones for the safety of workers and road users with intermittent lane closures during the construction of the road approaches.

Motorists should plan their trip, allow extra travel time and follow the direction of traffic control and all signs, including reduced speed limits.

For further information on the bridge replacement project and to view timelapse footage of the bridge being built visit www.rms.work/lignum 

Photo supplied by Steph Cooke’s Office

StateCover have advised that due to the favourable performance of the Mutual throughout the previous twelve months, StateCover has committed to rebating approximately $10m in surplus funds to their members during the 2017/2018 and 2018/2019 financial years.

The Rebate is 16% of Council’s 2016/2017 actual basic tariff premium plus GST, or $20,582.11. Council received $10,291.06, being the second instalment of the rebate.

This is a great result and a credit to all the staff concerned.

Applications are now open for the Resilient Australia Awards and the NSW Get Ready Community Award. The Resilient Australia Awards are a national program to recognise and promote initiatives that strengthen community disaster resilience. Applications are judged first at the state and territory level and winners become finalists for national judging and the chance to win a National Resilient Award. Applications close 17 May 2019.

For more information visit: https://aidr.org.au/programs/resilient-australia-awards

Central NSW Business HQ retail strategist Anthony Doyle will be hosting an information forum at the Grenfell Bowling Club next Tuesday 2 April, 2019 at 6.00pm. The forum will help form the basis of ongoing help to local retailers who are encouraged to attend.

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.

The next film to be screened at the Grenfell Cinema will be “A Simple Favour” at 10.00am Tuesday 9 April, 2019.  Please see the adjacent advertisement for further details.

Dates to Note

Friday 5 April 2019 –Recycling Collection (Grenfell East)

Monday 8 April 2019 – Recycling Collection (Grenfell West)

Street Stalls

Friday 29 March -  Grenfell & District Senior Citizens Welfare Committee

Wednesday 3 April – Grenfell Rodeo

WEDDIN SHIRE COUNCIL

APPROVED DEVELOPMENTS – MARCH 2019

In accordance with Section 101 of Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979, public notice is hereby given that Council, at its March 2019 meeting or by delegation, has approved the following Development Applications; and are advertised for public information:

DA NO 1/2019 MOD Applicant: Mr LJ Howell, Property: Lot: 7 SEC: 6 DP: 758473

14 Weddin Street, GRENFELL NSW  2810, Purpose: New Shed & Demolition of existing shed

DA NO 4/2019 Applicant: Mr D Erskine, Property: Lot: 9 DP:1229401, 11 Walshs Lane, GRENFELL  NSW  2810, Purpose: New Dwelling

DA NO 5/2019 Applicant: Ms TL Allerton, Property: Lot: 111 DP: 1081488, 32 Stan McCabe Drive, GRENFELL NSW 2810, Purpose: Swimming Pool

PO BOX 125                                                                                               AUTHORISED BY

GRENFELL                                                                                                  GLENN CARROLL

                                                                                                                    GENERAL MANAGER