RURAL AND REGIONAL
Work addresses crossing danger Following extensive lobbying after a significant near miss at the Williams Railway Crossing in 2013, Greater Hume Council formally opened the new Olympic Highway Intersection and Railway Crossing at Grubben Road, Henty late last year. The $7.93 million project was jointly funded through the Federal Government’s Heavy Vehicle Safety and Productivity Program, the NSW Government’s Regional Communities Development Fund and a Greater Hume Council project funding commitment. The project included several components including: Construction of a new railway crossing Realignment of approximately one kilometre of the Olympic Highway Construction of a new intersection between Grubben Road, Orange Flat Lane and the railway crossing Construction of a new private property entrance Closing of the existing Williams Rail Crossing,
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approximately one kilometre north of Henty. “This vital project means that the new alignment allows safer and more efficient access for grain trucks, which will deliver major economic benefits to the region through reduced truck operating costs and haulage times and improved safety for all road users,” said Cr Doug Meyer OAM. “Additionally, there are major benefits to safety and amenity of our Henty community, with the reduction of trucks travelling through the township.” In conjunction with the rail crossing project, Council completed the reconstruction and widening of 1.8 kilometres of Grubben Road, from the new rail crossing to the boundary with Lockhart Shire, Transport for NSW and Australian Rail Track Corporation.
This further enhances the safety of grain trucks traveling to the Grain Corp site in time for an anticipated bumper harvest season. This $800,000 project was funded through NSW Government’s Restart NSW Fixing Country Roads program along with a Council contribution of $200,000. The $543 million Fixing Country Roads program provides funding to regional NSW councils to repair, strengthen and improve strategic freight routes, creating a reliable and more efficient road freight network. Regional NSW is forecast to produce up to 286 million tonnes of freight per year by 2036, projects like the Grubben Road upgrade make it safer and easier for trucks to transport produce across NSW and reach markets here and overseas.
No Sharks in this think tank A new tourism innovation fund, ‘Turtle Tank’ has been designed to support the Gladstone Region through the challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic and assist with the recovery of the tourism industry. The purpose of Turtle Tank is to fund innovative ideas, campaigns and initiatives in the tourism space that benefit the region now and into the future. A total of $100,000 will be available, made up of $50,000 from Gladstone Regional Council and $50,000 from the Together Gladstone Fund. Financial contributors of the Together Gladstone Fund include Boyne Smelters Limited, ConocoPhillips as downstream operator of Australia Pacific LNG, Queensland Alumina Limited, Rio Tinto Yarwun, Santos GLNG, Shell’s QGC Business and other local industries. Gladstone Region Acting Mayor Kahn Goodluck said the Turtle Tank fund is loosely based on the hit Network Ten show Shark Tank and involves a three-step application process. “The final step in the process will see applicants invited to attend the ‘Turtle Tank’ to pitch their initiative to a panel of ‘expert investors’ made up Gladstone Regional Council, Together Gladstone and GAPDL representatives,” Councillor Goodluck said. “Prior to sinking their teeth in – or in this case, sliding into the Turtle Tank – applicants must attend the upcoming Tourism Innovation Fund information session. “From there, they must submit a written application outlining the basics of their initiative to the panel for assessment. “This is an exciting concept and one we hope will stimulate the tourism industry, while also increasing liveability and visitation in our region by growing tourism offerings.” Applications opened from Monday 10 January with a Tourism Innovation Fund information session to be held at Gladstone Entertainment Convention Centre on Thursday 20 January. The Turtle Tank fund is an initiative of Gladstone Regional Council, Together Gladstone and GAPDL.
Turtle Tank think tank for Gladestone.
New Warrumbungle councillors Results have been released and confirmed by the NSW Electoral Commission for the nine new Councillors that will make up Warrumbungle Shire Council’s Council for the next three years. The following councillors have been declared elected for Warrumbungle Shire Council (LGA): Kathryn Rindfleish, Dale Hogden, Ambrose Doolan, Aniello Iannuzzi, Denis Todd, Carlton Kopke, Jason Newton, Kodi Brady and Zoe Holcombe. The councillors were due to attend the Extraordinary Meeting in Coonabarabran, where 16 LOCAL GOVERNMENT FOCUS January 2022
a Mayoral Election would occur Warrumbungle Shire Council, General Manager, Roger Bailey said. “The newly elected councillors are also required to first take an oath or affirmation at or prior to the Extraordinary Council Meeting in January 2022, as well as deal with other matters.”
“The Executive Services team has been working to make the transition for the newly elected body as seamless as possible, and we have a comprehensive induction program planned for the new and returning councillors. This program will ensure the new councillors and the community can have confidence moving into this next term of council,” said Mr Bailey.
Councillor Davis
Cooma makes history History was made in Cooma this month at the first meeting in the new Snowy Monaro Regional Council’s term. Elected to the positions of Mayor and Deputy Mayor (through to September 2023) were Mayor Narelle Davis and Deputy Mayor Tanya Higgins. This is the first time the region has had all-female leadership plus a majority female led Council (six of the 11 Councillors). Despite the torrential downpour and a late venue change in order to maximise social distancing in a COVID-safe manner, the region’s new Council met at the Cooma Multifunction Centre to start the induction process, followed by their first Council meeting where they took their Oath or Affirmation of Office before electing Councillors to be Mayor and Deputy Mayor. Councillor Bob Stewart was the other nominee for Mayor, with Councillors Chris Hanna and Louise Frolich nominated for Deputy Mayor. The new Snowy Monaro Regional Council is: Narelle Davis - Mayor Tanya Higgins – Deputy Mayor John Castellari (returning Councillor) Peter Beer (returning Councillor) Bob Stewart (returning Councillor) John Last (returning Councillor) Christopher Hanna Tricia Hopkins Karlee Pateman Lynda Summers Louise Frolich There was a shorter agenda than normal on the night due to the constraints of the election and Christmas/New Year periods. Councillors also voted to send CEO Peter Bascomb, Mayor Narelle Davis, Deputy Mayor Tanya Higgins and Councillor Lynda Summers to the Local Government NSW Special Conference from Monday 28 February to Wednesday 2 March 2022. This is an important networking and educational event for Councillors, many of whom are beginning their local government political careers or resuming them after some time away.
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