COMMUNITY CONNECT
APRIL 2015
Port Macquarie-Hastings Council Newsletter
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this issue A P R I L
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Our Mayor Peter Bessling Message from the Mayor
2 External view of reservoir at max. height under construction
Dunbogan Flood Access
SANCROX RESERVOIR drop 3 EvEry UPDATE counts W
Water Conservation
3 What’s Council planning to deliver?
3 New Free Wasteinfo App
PMHC ListENing
orks on the new 20 mega litre Water conservation Sancrox Reservoir are underway measures are in place. with the construction of the telemetry and chlorination building, the associated pipe work to the reservoir, and the planning for the roof construction well progressed. This new water reservoir will cater for the current and future demands of urban development west of Port Macquarie including the Thrumster Urban growth area, the Sancrox Employment Precinct and any future development in the Sancrox area. The project is forecast to be delivered under budget and on time with Council works completed by June 2015, and the contract works (Hornick Constructions) completed by August 2015.
Parks, planning and projects - we are always striving to make our community a better place. We would love to hear your thoughts and ideas at www.pmhclistening.com.au
Internal concrete columns within the reservoir
Reservoir interconnection water mains
A Message From
the Mayor Peter Besseling The Fit for the Future reform requires all NSW Councils to assess their current status against seven set criteria in order to prepare a submission for the NSW Government by June 2015. The assessment will indicate our performance financially, in infrastructure management and service delivery and in efficiency. Our Council has been undertaking work of this nature for some time, particularly in the area of improving the data we have about the standard of our assets and identifying efficiency improvements across our services. The reform has simply placed a deadline on Council’s work to review, debate and analyse how we are serving our community. While assessing performance in financial criteria has value, of significance is the action plan we will develop to determine our future direction. Continuing to engage with the community in the longer term will be an important step in implementing our ongoing actions to ensure we are efficiently delivering the services that are required and represent sustainable financial management. To stay informed as more projects are completed follow me on Facebook/MayorPMHC.
An example of the proposed works activity at Dunbogan
DUNBOGAN FLOOD ACCESS
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onstruction of the initial stage of the Dunbogan flood access road is about to begin. The initial works are on the gravel Tip Road, extending 800m from the intersection of gravel Tip Road and The Boulevarde. Works include relocation of services including water, sewer and Telstra and the raising of the existing roadway by up to 1.5 metres.
Proposed stage of Flood Access upgrade
During construction the gravel Tip Road will be closed, with a detour in place via Scarborough Way and Camden Head Road. It is estimated the $2.2 million project will be complete by the end of 2015. The project is a critical component of Port Macquarie-Hastings Council’s commitment to improve flood and evacuation access at Dunbogan. Development and Environment Services Director Matt Rogers said the project formed part of the Camden Haven Flood Plain Management Plan - adopted by Council in 2004 following extensive community consultation. The initial stage is part of an overall upgrade of the Dunbogan Flood Access Road. This upgrade will result in three sections of road raised to remove low points and to provide a constant grade to higher ground from the Tip Road to Dunbogan Bridge. Completion of all 3 stages of works will result in: >A shared pathway from the Bridge to the Tip Road intersection to improve pedestrian safety and access; >E xisting water and sewer assets being upgraded to serve both residents and business owners at Dunbogan; >D unbogan Tip Road being sealed to better service the increased volume of heavy traffic; >E xisting lighting from the Bridge to the Tip Road intersection being upgraded to improve night visibility for both road users and pedestrians. The total cost of for all 3 Stages is in excess of $4.5 million. In the longer term future stages will involve upgrading of the Boulevarde from the gravel Tip Road intersection through the Dunbogan Village.
Water CONSERVATION MEASURES now in place
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ater conservation measures are now in place to help lessen the impact on our water supply and the environment.
EvEry drop counts
>W atering of gardens only on ‘Odds & Evens’ days according to days matching house number (no watering on 31st of the month), and BEFORE 10am and AFTER 4pm.
Water conservation measures are in place.
> Hoses must be fitted with a water cut-off trigger or control nozzle. >W atering cans and buckets can be used at any time. > Vehicles, houses, boats and outboard motors can be cleaned on any day and at any time, preferably on a lawned area. > Brooms, vacuum cleaners or air blowers are to be used to remove loose material on driveways, paths and hardstand areas. Do not use chemicals or cleaning products. No hose
can be used unless; as a result of accident, fire, health hazard or other emergency; or an approved water efficient nozzle or high pressure cleaner unit is used. A full list of measures and additional information is available from Council offices or our website. Council rangers will monitor compliance and fines can apply for breaches.
NEW FREE WASTE INFO APP WHAT’S COUNCIL PLANNING TO DELIVER?
PROTECTING OUR NATURAL ASSETS
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he draft 2015 - 2016 Operational Plan currently on public exhibition outlines all the activities and programs Council will conduct during the next financial year and the related budget forecasts. General Manager Craig Swift-McNair describes this plan and budget as “focussed on getting the fundamentals right, providing value for money and securing our future financial management.” Councillors have again prioritised continued investment in roads and footpaths maintenance with $1.8 million dedicated to road resealing and resurfacing in addition to the rural maintenance program. A further $350,000 has been allocated to footpath and cycleway projects across the region. The capital works program of $104 million includes replacement of Stingray Creek Bridge, construction of the multimillion dollar small town sewerage scheme and redevelopment of the Wauchope pool. Have your say online at www.pmhclistening.com.au or view plans at any Council office and library. Submissions close 1 May 2015.
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ownload Council’s new free WasteInfo app now via iTunes, Google Play or pmhc.nsw.gov.au/bins. Never miss bin night again or wonder what to do with your waste. The app has useful hints and tips plus an A to Z guide with colour coded photos and descriptions showing you which bin to use. You can set notifications to remind yourself when to put your bins out and which bins are being collected that week. The app also has information about other Council waste services including items for free drop off, disposal fees and charges, your closest waste facility with contact details and opening hours, and how to use the kitchen bin system or book a bulky waste collection. You can even report a problem to Council by taking a photo via the app.
ouncil manages over 1250 ha of native bushland which is home to many important plant and animal species. The reserves act as important wildlife corridors, enabling animals to move about the landscape to breed and feed. Council has a dedicated six-person team of Bush Regenerators who actively manage these reserves by removing noxious and transforming weeds, and by planting native vegetation. Council is legally required to remove noxious weeds from its land due to the high risk they pose for the economy, environment and community. Transforming weeds dramatically alter the environment where they become dominant and can smother plants, change soil chemistry, outcompete native plants and increase the risk of fire. The work undertaken by the Bush Regeneration team is therefore of immense value for environmental, social and legislative reasons.
Photo above L to R: Matt Bell, Mark Thomas, Helen Ward, Stephen Friederich (absent are Peter Michael & Leah Fontyn).
ERTH’S DINOSAUR ZOOTM Friday 3 July, 1pm & 3pm. This internationally acclaimed show, Erth’s Dinosaur ZooTM, will take you into a new dimension of theatre. Erth’s dinosaurs are unmistakably “alive” and mostly friendly in this fun and educational performance that will delight all audiences from ages five years and up. Experience the thrill of this extraordinarily imaginative work. www.glasshouse.org.au
WAUCHOPE RAILWAY: CENTENARY OF RAIL On view until 26 April 2015. This photographic exhibition explores the economic prosperity experienced by the Hastings Valley as Wauchope transformed from a bush village to a ‘railway town’. www.glasshouse.org.au
SLICE OF HAVEN Let your senses be enticed with a dollop of indulgence and a dash of quirky on Sunday May 24. Slice of Haven is Camden Haven’s 8th annual food and wine festival by the river. Bring the whole family and taste the finest food and wine from local producers. So pack a picnic blanket and be prepared to be indulged. www.sliceofhaven.com.au
TOYOTA IRONMAN AUSTRALIA On Sunday 3 May, Greater Port Macquarie will once again be host to one of the longest running IRONMAN events on the global circuit. Celebrating 30 years of this event, and 10 years in Port Macquarie, the 2015 Toyota IRONMAN Australia also incorporates the Australian IRONMAN TriClub Championship. Competitors will endure a 3.8 kilometre swim, 180 kilometre bike course and 42.2 kilometre run, while taking in the best of the Greater Port Macquarie region. www.IRONMANAustralia.com
Port Macquarie Office Corner of Lord & Burrawan St Phone: (02) 6581 8111 Port Macquarie NSW 2444
Wauchope Office High Street Phone: (02) 6589 6500 Wauchope NSW 2446
www.pmhc.nsw.gov.au
Laurieton Office Laurie Street Phone: (02) 6559 9958 Laurieton NSW 2443