9 minute read
RURAL-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, 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 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.
MacDonnell’s Tidy effort
The winners of the 2021 Northern Territory Sustainable Community Tidy Town Awards have just been announced in a virtual presentation ceremony hosted by Heimo Schober, CEO of KABC(NT) in Darwin.
MacDonnell Regional Council once again dominated with much to the delight of CEO Jeff MacLeod and staff.
“These awards truly reflect the hard work and dedication of MRC’s staff, particularly those in the communities which have been recognised in the announcement,” he said.
Santa Teresa (Ltyentye Apurte) officially became the ‘Territory’s Tidiest Town’ again and is now the Territory’s Finalist after winning the overall NT Award as well as receiving the Category Award for ‘Best Medium Territory Tidy Towns Community.’
As the Territory’s 2021 Tidiest Town, the MacDonnell region community of Santa Teresa (Ltyentye Apurte) will represent the Northern Territory at the Keep Australia Beautiful, Australian Sustainable community Tidy Towns Awards this year.
Mr Schober commented that “The township’s strong culture of continuous improvement and community participation helped the MacDonnell Desert community win the competition yet again, they’re achieving ‘new norms’ all the time. The MacDonnell Council Staff, Traditional Owners and the residents of Santa Teresa (Ltyentye Apurte) all deserve this win for their efforts and dedication to ensure their community is the Territory’s Tidiest Town and Sustainable Community over the past 12 months.”
“This will be MacDonnell Regional Council’s ninth consecutive outright win. It is inspiring to see a Regional Council consistently producing Territory Sustainable Tidy Town winning communities.”
The township of Santa Teresa (Ltyentye Apurte) continues to demonstrate great community collaboration, pride and leadership in local sustainability practices and education, and sets a wonderful example for other remote Territory townships to follow.
“I congratulate the MacDonnell Regional Council for their leadership and support inspiring Santa Teresa (Ltyentye Apurte) to win this Award,” Mr Schober added.
“Again, the MacDonnell Regional Council has won majority categories at the 2021 Territory Sustainable Community Tidy Town Awards,” Mr Schober said.
MacDonnell Regional Council was the winner of 7 of the 16 categories awarded. Northern Territory Tidy Town.
Category
Overall Winner/ National Finalist
·Santa Teresa-(Ltyentye Apurte) (MacDonnell
Regional Council)
Best Medium Community
·Santa Teresa-(Ltyentye Apurte) (MacDonnell
Regional Council)
Best Regional Council MacDonnell Regional Council
·‘Dame Phyllis Frost’ Litter Control & Prevention Papunya (Warumpi) (MacDonnell Regional Council)
Waste Management
·Santa Teresa-(Ltyentye Apurte) (MacDonnell
Regional Council) · Energy Conservation MacDonnell Regional
Council · Environment Action MacDonnell Regional
Council
Two of MRC’s invaluable community members were recognised for their commitment, collaboration and hard work undertaken. Category
Community Citizen
· · Dougie Wells (Titjikala) Nanny Kingsley (Haasts Bluff)
Additionally, the M’Bunghara School, located at Dashwood Creek via the Pupunya Road, took out the Best Territory Tidy Town School Award. Category
Best Territory
· · Tidy Town School M’Bunghara School
And lastly, all of the residents of the Santa Teresa community were recognised for their efforts in making this community a model for all to follow. Category
Community Participation
·Santa Teresa-(Ltyentye Apurte)
Monaro cemetery group commits to care
The Snow Monaro Cemetery Advisory Committee last month held their final meeting for this Council term.
The committed group of volunteers from across the Snowy Monaro have worked tirelessly over the past four years to ensure that our cemeteries are cared for with the dignity and respect they deserve.
Cemeteries are open to the community year-round and the Cemetery Advisory Committee oversees all works undertaken at Council’s cemeteries, including future discussions and planned improvements.
In 2021 they oversaw construction of a new fence at the Old Adaminaby Cemetery, removal of dangerous trees from a several of the region’s cemeteries, removal of rabbit harbourage sites from a number of the region’s cemeteries and repairs to head stones and monuments caused by winter storms and wildlife. This is a Section 355 committee, a vital part of how Council engages with our community. The committee comprises community volunteers, Council employees and Councillors working together to manage and discuss our region’s assets and infrastructure.
Many of the Snowy Monaro’s cemeteries are of historic importance to the region and are located in rural areas surrounded by farm land or reserves. Council works to maintain this rural character and preserve areas of endangered, vulnerable native vegetation that are a common feature of our region’s cemeteries.
Work planned for 2022 includes continuing to improve cemetery boundary fences across the region, adding Niche walls and memorial gardens, removal of dead or dangerous trees and rabbit removal programs.
Council has focused, particularly in recent years, on the eradication of rabbits. Native wildlife such as wombats also pose a problem for the cemeteries with their fondness for digging burrows. As they are a protected native species, managing them requires approval from National Parks and Wildlife.
Snowy Monaro’s Cemetery Advisory Committee.
