Council News 11 December 2019

The Federal Government has recently announced they have committed to provide an additional $1 million each to 122 drought-affected councils under the Drought Community Programme – Extension which is great news. The government also committed $1 million each to 6 new drought-affected councils. These measures are designed to provide an immediate economic stimulus to drought-affected communities. This latest extension to the program provides total funding of $250 million over three years from 2018-19 to eligible councils.

Types of projects that are able to be funded include:

Street scapes Recreational facilities Sporting facilities Fencing around facilities Events that will enhance employment opportunities and support mental health Purchase of equipment Works to upgrade roads

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. Project funding is intended to provide short-term support by boosting local employment and procurement, and addressing social and community needs.

A 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 2020.

Further information in regards to the DCP can be found at https://www.business.gov.au/Grants-and-Programs/Drought-Communities-Programme-Extension

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.

As previously advised Council took a significant step into the technological world on Thursday, 21 November 2019 with Council’s Monthly meeting being webcast on Council’s website for the first time. 

The Model Meeting Code of Practice provides that all meetings of Councils and Committees whose membership comprises only of Councillors should be webcast to increase the transparency of Council decision making and to allow access to those who may not be physically able to attend meetings. This does not apply to parts of meetings that have been closed to the public under section 10A of the Act.

The meeting was live streamed and subsequently uploaded to Council’s website with many residents tuning in. This is certainly very exciting and a major step in Council becoming a modern and progressive organization.

Grenfell’s Main Street will be renewed in the first half of 2020 and these works are likely to affect the ability to plan and stage the upcoming Grenfell Henry Lawson Festival of Arts. There will be significant risk management limitations associated with the Main Street as a venue for the Festival if it is still a construction zone.

A survey was recently conducted to obtain feedback on various options and the future direction of the Grenfell Henry Lawson Festival of Arts. The survey is now closed and a meeting of the Festival committee will be held on Tuesday 17 December 2019 to review the results and make various decisions regarding the 2020 event.

NSW Office of Sport is working with NSW Ministry of Health in supporting communities affected by drought, through the Mental Health Sports Fund.  $1.2 million is available in the fund, with grants of $10,000 to $75,000 being available.

NSW based sporting bodies can apply for funding to run a sport-linked mental health program in a regional area in partnership with a mental health service provider or charity. Applications should demonstrate a focus on improving mental health or awareness of mental health and wellbeing in regional communities.

Further information is available at https://sport.nsw.gov.au/clubs/grants/Mental-Health-Sports-Fund

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.

The Quandialla Pool Committee recently held their Annual General Meeting and advised Council of their appointed executive which is as follows: -

President: Mrs Angela Sweeny

Vice President: Mrs Kim Broomby

Secretary: Mrs Bronwyn Morley

Treasurer: Mrs Francesca Taylor

Apart from a Council subsidy the pool is operated from funds raised solely by the committee. To be able to provide an excellent recreation facility for our Quandialla and Caragabal residents in this manner is a remarkable achievement and the committee should be congratulated.

The next movies at the Cinema will be held in December and arrangements are in progress. Please see the adjacent advertisement for further details.

Dates to Note

Friday, 13 December 2019 - Recycling Collection (Grenfell East)

Monday, 16 December 2019 - Recycling Collection (Grenfell West)

Street Stalls

Thursday, 12 December 2019 – The Salvation Army

Friday, 13 December 2019 – The Salvation Army

Advertisements DROUGHT COMMUNITIES PROGRAM (DCP) EXTENSION COMMUNITY CONSULTATION

Weddin Shire Council has been granted $1m grant funding subject to the submission and approval of a grant funding application under the Federal, Liberal and National Governments Drought Communities Program (DCP) Extension.

Residents are hereby invited to provide feedback or suggestions to Council on where the funding could be spent as per the funding guidelines by 4pm Friday 31 January, 2020 to Email [email protected] or the address below.

Further information in regards to the DCP is available at: https://www.business.gov.au/Grants-and-Programs/Drought-Communities-Programme-Extension

DECEMBER 2019 COUNCIL MEETING

Residents are hereby advised that due to extenuating circumstances the above meeting to be held on Thursday, 19 December 2019 will commence at 9.30 am.

Council apologises for any inconvenience caused.

REQUEST FOR QUOTATION (RFQ) RFQ Q4/2019: INSTALL SEWER REUSE MAIN TO BEMBRICK OVAL

Closing time and date for quotation: 2pm on Monday 23rd December 2019

Quotations should be titled as “Install Sewer Reuse Main to Bembrick’s Oval - RFQ Q4/2019” and submitted

1) by post to: “The Tender Box, Weddin Shire Council, PO BOX 125, GRENFELL NSW 2810” or

2) electronically to: [email protected]

OR 3) in person at the Counter (Weddin Shire Council’s Administration  Building, Corner of Weddin and Camp Streets, Grenfell).

Further information can be found on Council’s website:

http://www.weddin.nsw.gov.au/council/public-notices/request-for-quotation-rfq-q4-2019-sewer-reuse-main-bembrick-oval

DEVELOPMENT PROPOSAL ENVIRONMENTAL PLANNING & ASSESSMENT ACT 1979 DA 48/2019

Council has received an Application Shed over LOT: 4 DP: 857827 Berrys Road GRENFELL 2810.

Inspection:           The application DA 48/2019 for Shed may be viewed between the hours of 9.00 am to 4.00 pm from 5 December 2019 and 20 December 2019 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 20 December 2019.

DECEMBER MOVIES

Come and enjoy a free 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 14 - 7.45pm for an 8pm start – Downton Abbey

Friday 20 – 1.45pm for a 2pm start – A surprise Christmas movie. Rating will be G/PG

PO BOX 125

GRENFELL

AUTHORISED BY

GLENN CARROLL

GENERAL MANAGER