communitynow NEWSLETTER
Autumn 2017
FI N DI N G
right
THE
pmhc.nsw.gov.au
path
> Our upgraded website > CHILDREN CROSSING >3 0 years a ferryman
From the Mayor
W
elcome to the autumn edition of the Community Now newsletter. This year we experienced one of our hottest summers on record, with Wauchope’s official temperature reaching an incredible 46.6 degrees on February 12. The weather has certainly been challenging for us all, particularly for Pappinbarra and surrounding communities who experienced catastrophic bushfire conditions. Our thoughts are with you as you recover from this horrific event. To the Rural Fire Service, Emergency Services, volunteers and various local fundraising groups across our entire local government area, our sincerest thanks go to you all. It's at times like these that the true meaning of community certainly comes to the fore.
As we leave an eventful summer behind us and the weather cools down, there is no better time to be out and about enjoying everything our region has to offer. We are an active community, and in this edition we’ve focussed on how we get around, and the importance of providing safe, accessible and efficient transport infrastructure and facilities. Council has an ongoing commitment to improving our transport network, including continuing our investment in new infrastructure projects, renovating and rejuvenating our existing transport and road network, and providing paths and cycleways to help us all stay connected and get around safely. As you can see on the opposite page, we’re continuing to deliver for our growing community, and we look forward to keeping you up to date with the many projects that are happening right across our region. A great way to stay connected is to like our Facebook page, where you’ll receive lots of useful information on projects, events and activities happening in your community, every day. And don’t forget to check out Council’s upgraded website, where you can ‘have your say’ on Council projects and activities, and you can also subscribe to our email newsletter to have the latest events and activities delivered directly to your inbox. There’s no better time than autumn to be enjoying everything our region has to offer, and I look forward to joining you out and about. Peter Besseling Port Macquarie-Hastings Mayor
Have Your Say on Council's future plans Councils future draft budget and plans are now on display and submissions are open until 18 May. Have your Say at haveyoursay.pmhc.nsw.gov.au or at any Council Office or Library.
> Cover: Googik Track, Port Macquarie.
Delivering for our growing community We’re focussed on renovating and rejuvenating our many community assets, continuing to deliver major infrastructure projects and ensuring our region remains the best place to live, learn, work, play and invest.
Port Macquarie Indoor Stadium
Kew Waste Transfer Station
> The $7.2 million expansion of the Port Macquarie Indoor Stadium is now complete. Drop in and enjoy this fabulous renewed facility.
> Waste and recycling practices are being improved, with construction of the new Kew Waste Transfer Station soon to be completed, replacing the Dunbogan facility.
Houston Mitchell Drive Reconstruction
Wayne Richards Park 2nd Multi-Purpose Field
> The $7 million reconstruction of the ‘ghost road’ is due for completion May 2017, improving safety and road conditions.
> Construction of the second multi-purpose playing field is nearing completion. Check out the drone footage of the surface being laid at pmhc.nsw.gov.au/wayne-richards.
Bridge Replacements
Pavement resealing
> Hyndmans Creek, Bulli Creek and Hartys Creek bridges are being demolished and replaced with reinforced concrete bridges.
> More than 130,000m2 of road reconstruction will occur at various locations across our region. Pavement resealing and rejuvenation has commenced in Wauchope.
M
ore than 12,000 Port Macquarie-Hastings residents ride a bike each week. It’s one of our most popular past times, and whether it’s for recreation, family bonding, getting to work or sporting pursuits, cycling is a great way to take a break from the hustle and bustle of life, get some fresh air and stay active. On a recent ride of our own, we (literally) bumped into avid cyclists Alisha and Simon Bank, who share their love of cycling with their daughters Ella, aged 8 and Katie, 6. “The kids love cycling – it’s fun and gives us all a sense of freedom and independence. Not to mention, riding is a great family connector for us all, we just feel energised and happy after a ride together,” Alisha told us. The Bank family’s passion for riding has taken them on cycling adventures right across the Port Macquarie-Hastings, as they experience the great outdoors in search of the best cycling tracks and trails. Their favourite, set in a gorgeous natural environment, is the Googik Track that extends from Port Macquarie through to Lake Innes. “There’s no traffic to worry about and it’s mostly flat for the
right
pa
‘
‘
Finding the
Whenever I see an adult on a bicycle, I have hope for the human race HG Wells
kids. At the pace we go, we notice wildlife, take in the scenery and chat to fellow bike riders and walkers”, added Simon. “Cycling has been great for our social life; we’ve made many new friends through the Port Macquarie Cycle Club where we catch up with like-minded families”. The Bank family also love the Town Beach foreshore paths for the breathtaking views and the important post-ride coffee, ice-cream and family chit-chat. You don’t have to be Liam Magennis to enjoy cycling, and with hundreds of kilometres of cycling paths across the Port Macquarie-Hastings it’s a great way to get out and about, get some fresh air and enjoy our gorgeous natural environment.
portmacquarieinfo.com.au/see-do/day-trips-walk-cycle-trails
The Bank family at Breakwall HQ
th
Thanks to the Bank family for the chat, they’re certainly one family who’ve found the right path and connected through their love of cycling. Where will cycling take you?
Looking for a place to ride? > Check out bicycle paths in your area at pmhc.nsw.gov.au/cycling.
GoING
WITH
N
ot many people would describe their working environment as ‘going with the flow’, but 30 year ferry veteran, Ian Workman, says his work is exactly that. The ever changing view across the Hastings River is all part of a day's work, and according to Ian it definitely beats sitting in an office. Ian is part of a dedicated team of 11 ferrymen who are contracted to operate the Settlement Point and Hibbard Ferries on behalf of Council. They provide safe and efficient passage across the Hastings River to the North Shore; more than 250 times a day, 365 days a year. Many will recognise Ian’s smiling face and friendly nature, he’s used to having a good yarn and with no plans to retire yet, who knows we may see Ian for another 30 years!
THE
flow
Ian told us of the many seals and turtles he’s seen, and even the dugongs that used to frequent the river some 25 years ago. There have been two Settlement Point ferries since Ian started in 1987. The ferries have lots of stories, and Ian can tell you many of them, including the times when people try to jump the queue by claiming that a baby was about to be born to later reveal the old ‘pillow up the jumper’ trick. There always seems to be someone who tries to get out of paying their fare, but Ian runs a tight ship and you never get a free ride on his watch. There are many interesting tales from our ferries’ past, and Ian certainly has some beauties. Whilst we can’t print some of them, we’d certainly recommend a chat with Ian next time you take the ferry; it will definitely be an enriching experience.
Find out more about our ferries at pmhc.nsw.gov.au/ferries
our
UPGRADED
website > Easier to navigate > Larger font > Mobile friendly > Have Your Say > News and events > Pay Council bills Check it out at pmhc.nsw.gov.au
Ferrymen Ian Workman and Tim Rich
Did you know? > Over the lifetime of the ferries, they would have travelled the equivalent of 43 times around the globe
KNOW YOUR EMERGENCY CONTACTS Recent weather events have kept our local emergency service teams and other volunteer groups extremely busy. Please ensure you keep these emergency service contact details handy.
> Life Threatening Emergency 000 > State Emergency Service (SES) 132 500 > Rural Fire Service (RFS) 1800 679 737 > Disaster Welfare Assistance Line 1800 018 444 To make a donation, or offer other assistance to the Pappinbarra community after the February bushfire disaster please visit: facebook.com/RebuildPappinbarra chuffed.org/project/rebuild-pappinbarra-farms Council’s website also has information on what to do before, during and after an emergency:
pmhc.nsw.gov.au/emergency-advice
C H I L D R E N
E
crossing
L-R Rear – Heather Nikitin, Cameron Osborne, Dave Kates. L-R Front – Ellie Raymond, Kohan Pepper, Max Hill, Evie Durose.
nsuring our kids get to school and home again safely is a huge responsibility, and two dedicated volunteers who play an important role in ensuring the safety of our children are Wauchope Primary School Crossing Supervisors, Heather Nikitin and Dave Kates.
schools", Mr Osborne told us.
A new school crossing has recently been provided at the school, and each morning and afternoon, rain, hail or shine the kids see the friendly faces of Heather and Dave as they assist our kids safely across the road.
Council’s Road Safety Officer, Pip Cox said our schools are highly sensitive areas, and crossings of this nature are important to encourage road safety for our children and the community.
Principal of Wauchope Public School, Cameron Osborne told us how large numbers of children heading to and from school use their crossing, after travelling by car or bus, or arriving on bicycles and scooters, or by foot. “Our new crossing includes ramps, balustrades and fences making the crossing safe for our students. It’s also the right time to remind drivers to be aware of our younger school citizens in and around our
“Please take care and slow down, and pay particular attention to buses setting down children. Be sure to give our crossing supervisors a wave and thank them for getting our children safely across our busy roads”, Mr Osborne said.
“Wauchope Public School’s crossing operates before and after school hours, or at other times approved by Council. Aside from these times it is not a pedestrian crossing. When in use, red flags display the words CHILDREN CROSSING. Drivers must slow down and halt before the stop line and remain stopped until all pedestrians leave the crossing,” said Pip. We all need to be responsible for keeping kids safe on our roads.
pmhc.nsw.gov.au/road-safety There’s always something happening in the Port Macquarie-Hastings – from sporting events to art festivals, concerts to exhibitions, conventions to celebrations. See what's on at
pmhc.nsw.gov.au/events
Contact us 17 Burrawan Street, Port Macquarie NSW 2444 49 High Street, Wauchope NSW 2446 9 Laurie Street, Laurieton NSW 2443
Share and connect with us t: 02 6581 8111 e: council@pmhc.nsw.gov.au
Like us on Facebook Follow us on Twitter Watch us on YouTube