27 minute read
COUNCILLOR PROFILES
COUNCILOR PROFILES Cr Karen Chappel
Morawa Shire WA
Morawa is a Shire with a scenic beauty and ambiance of a truly agricultural district and located only 4 hours drive from the city of Perth, Western Australia. The Shire of Morawa has many attractions, both historic and modern, that make it a wonderful and welcoming place to visit.
Morawa is dependent on broad acre Agriculture, with a strong history of Mining. Iron Ore was first mined at Koolanoooka Hills (20kms east) in 1961,and the first shipment of Ore left Geraldton in 1966.
Our district is a tourism destination from May to September as we have the most beautiful display of Wildflowers. We are often in summer months the hottest place in Australia, always in the top five.
My favourite part of living here is to see our farmers have a bountiful year, our community thrives on good years and struggles on those that are dry. I love watching the seasons change, to me the seasons are defined by our cropping programs. It starts with watching the dust as many farmers are dry seeding to the first rains when you can smell the richness of the soil through to seeing the little shades of green come through. The greatest pleasure is to see these glimmers of green grow into beautiful crops that then turn golden in September /October.
Second generation Local Government
I was first Elected to the Shire in May 2005. I had been the Licensee of the local Australia Post for 11 years therefore had a deep knowledge of the community and its challenges. My father had been a Shire President and Councillor of a neighbouring LG so I understood the commitment and value of the role.
In my daily life I am the Accounts Manager for both our farming partnership and our daughter’s law firm in Perth. I act as relief manager at the Post Office when required, these Post Office days are so valuable in keeping me in contact with the community. I continue to serve the community as a Board Member of Rural West and Desert Blue Connect, organisations that offer free mental health and financial service support.
If I was to have a down day I love to read but one of my greatest loves is cars, I really like a car with grunt, nothing quite like the meaty sound of a V8. I often say if I was to have my life again I would love to be Peter Brock or Daniel Riccardo. It is fortunate that I have a love of driving and cars as I spend much of my life travelling between Perth and Morawa.
Infrastructure Maintenance critical
Our Council like many others is struggling to maintain assets and a high level of service delivery with limited resources. We have more than 800 kms of roads, our agricultural industry is dependent on road transport so the maintenance of this infrastructure is critical and has to be balanced by investment in community infrastructure to meet liveability expectations of the whole community.
The Shire of Morawa is currently reviewing its Community Strategic Plan, this we hope will identify what the future will hold. Each generation sees the world differently and must take responsibility for their communities future needs, having vision is valued but seeing that vision realised is the hard work.
Morawa has a bold plan for a Mountain Bike Trail around the Koolanooka Hills, it would be perfect for the winter months. The challenge is of course bringing all the project partners together along with the funding.
Local Government rewarding
If I was to describe my successes in Local Government, the first would be is to still have community support after 12 years as Shire President and second to be a Life Member of WALGA.
I have served Local Government at all levels with diligence, Zone President and State Councillor WALGA since 2009, Board Member of Local Govt Advisory Board 2011- 2021 and MidWest Development Commission 2018 to now.
At present I am the Acting President of WALGA after serving as the Deputy President for nearly two years and a Board member of ALGA.
A Councillor offers you as an individual the opportunity to work with others to find solutions to all sorts of issues, from ensuring that the opening hours of the swimming pool are in the best interests of all to advocating to Government for critical funding for road safety improvements.
The hardest part of the role is when you as a Cr disappoint your community and not deliver what your Council promised, even if there is mitigating circumstances it just is so awful to let your folk down.
I see my purpose is to serve and I wish to accomplish this by serving the people through Local Government by being genuine, committed and prepared to accept change. Cr Karen Chappel, Morawa Shire WA.
Mayor Mark Irwin - City of Stirling
The City of Stirling is the largest local government in Western Australia by population, and is one of the most multicultural by country of birth and languages spoken in additional to English.
Our economy includes major industry in Osborne Park, major tourism destinations like Scarborough Beach, 25,000 small businesses and one of the largest shopping complexes in Western Australia now that the $800 million redevelopment of Karrinyup Shops is complete, doubling its original size.
Coastal living plays a big role
There has barely been a day in my life that hasn’t started at the beach, so I have a particular affinity with the City’s coastline and I am very eager to see it improved and preserved for future generations.
I was first elected as a City of Stirling Councillor for the Coastal Ward in 2015, and was elected as Mayor by my fellow Councillors in October 2017 then re-elected as the City’s first popularly elected Mayor in 2019.
I’ve always loved getting involved in local community groups and sporting clubs, and as Mayor really enjoy connecting with people and discussing local issues. I’m passionate about community service and have been a member of Scarboro SLSC throughout my whole life.
I am very lucky to have recently stepped back from my other role with Surf Lifesaving Western Australia which now allows me to focus solely on the Mayoral role for the City.
I love serving my local community through Surf Lifesaving at the Scarboro SLSC,
Covid a Big Challenge
I think the biggest challenge over the last two years for all local governments is to adapt how we do things to the realities of the COVID-19 pandemic. Whether this has been in cutting down red tape to improve business opportunities, or complying with proof of vaccination requirements, we’ve had to adapt and innovate to continue delivering through this challenging time.
The City of Stirling’s main strategic projects have been the investment in infrastructure surround the Stirling City Centre Project, including over $160 million in road works to the Stephenson Avenue Extension Project and the progression of our $2 million business case into Trackless Trams.
These two projects represent the backbone of more than a decade of planning that will see us secure our position as Perth’s second CBD.
Successful Trackless Tram request
The success of our request for Commonwealth funding for a business study into Trackless Tram has been one of the most exciting developments of the last few years, as it really is a big, bold vision for the City which would represent a first for a local government, if not for the whole of Australia then certainly for Western Australia.
What makes a successful councillor and dealing with hours?
I think to be a successful Councillor you have to be actively involved and interested in the progress of your local community, and the best part of the job is being able to make a real difference whether that be fixing local problems or seeing big projects finalised.
The most challenging part is certainly the hours, which isn’t really well understood. There is rarely a night that I’m not representing the City at an event, or attending meetings and committees, but that is part of the role and certainly easier for me given I don’t have a young family with kids waiting for me to come home.
What’s next?
I would love to see the Stirling City Centre project really launch forward over the next few years, after so many years of planning and preparing. I really do feel like we are now at the proverbial ‘pointy’ end of the projects, which Stephenson Avenue Phase Two beginning this year, and a Federal Election coming up in May where we will be advocating for significant investments in Stirling’s infrastructure.
Mayor Mark Irwin.
NEWS Strategy sets privacy aim
FAISA SCCISP | Director, Ground Up Consulting | Privacy Expert specialising in smart cities and critical infrastructure, IoT and digital transformation, as Nicole Stephensen explains.
Councils have access to significant amounts of personal information; that is, information that identifies or could lead to the identification of a person.
This is important to consider as we move toward ‘smart cities’, where technology is leveraged to combine, analyse, learn from and make decisions based on data, much of which is the personal variety.
Councils working to build urban and rural centres that are efficient, safe, connected and sustainable may look to harness new technologies that promise oodles of data without considering the implications to a person’s privacy.
Most Councils are aware that privacy rules apply to them, and many consider this to be part of their ‘compliance burden’ in a manner akin to human resource management and financial accountability (albeit often further down the food chain in terms of importance).
It bears reminding that privacy, in practice, encompasses more than compliance-driven management of complaints or access to information requests.
Privacy is about trust, and upholding community expectations of fair, reasonable and appropriate collection and handling of personal information.
When conducting day-to-day business, or embarking on cool digital (or even analogue) initiatives, privacy must feature as a key touchstone in decision-making from the outset. No one is going to trust any decision of Council that treats privacy as an add-on or, heaven forbid, a spare part!
Good decisions start with having a strategic presence for what matters (in this case, privacy). For Councils, strategy is what sets apart the values and aspirations that are directed and supported by the leadership team from everything else. Mapping back to strategy is what lends credibility to projects and initiatives.
Establishing and implementing a privacy strategy:
1. Ensures Councils consider and document their views about privacy 2. Sets big picture objectives about privacy for those in the organisation to refer to 3. Provides focus and direction for Councils to make better decisions about the collection and handling of personal information 4. Ensures projects and initiatives involving personal information are tied back to something solid (the privacy strategy) 5. Enhances privacy culture and builds internal awareness 6. Encourages community trust that their personal information will be collected and handled appropriately, and 7. If published, provides transparency and openness with the community about how their Council handles personal information.
How a privacy strategy is constructed – what it looks like – must work for the size, location and resources of your Council. It does not have to be particularly sophisticated or corporate in appearance. It does, however, need to give impetus to staff and have meaning for the community you serve. Consider, for example, the City of Darwin, which recently completed a large program of privacy uplift, including making clear on a dedicated webpage their strategic ‘Approach to Privacy’ . Glossy? No. But it does walk, talk and quack like a strategy duck.
Sometimes good strategy has perks. Darwin won a Smart Cities Council ANZ award in 2020 for their privacy policy leadership in the Switching on Darwin program. City of Melbourne, too, is award-winning in respect of privacy, with their strategic approach to privacy for smart city ‘test bed’ initiatives acknowledged in a 2021 ACCOM award to Nokia and the Council jointly for use of Artificial Intelligence to improve the city experience in Melbourne’s iconic laneways.
Cairns seeks help to revitalise the CBD
Inclusive playspace
Creatives, budding entrepreneurs and startups will have the opportunity to boost their exposure through a new Cairns City Council initiative.
Renew Cairns aims connect start-ups and creatives with landlords to secure shop fronts in high profile parts of the Cairns CBD allowing them to trial their business ideas. The project is being delivered in partnership with Renew Australia, which works with owners and agents of vacant properties to borrow their spaces on a rolling 30-day license.
An information session was held for creatives, collectives, small business owners and community members to learn more, and find out if their idea or project might be eligible for space in the city.
Mayor Bob Manning said Renew Cairns would bring creativity, foot traffic and activity into the Cairns city centre while providing opportunities for new businesses and community initiatives to test their ideas at minimal cost. “By working with property owners to activate vacant or under-utilised commercial spaces, Renew Cairns can generate activity through occupancy, present these locations in a vibrant and active light, and offer spaces to people who make or create,” said Cr Manning. “The purpose of the project is to help creative entrepreneurs and community groups to trial their business, project, or ideas in a commercial setting, and increase foot traffic and interest in central city spaces from locals and visitors.”
Newly-appointed local Renew Cairns project manager, Phil Druery, said similar initiatives had been successful in other part of the country.
“We are looking forward to similar successes for Cairns creative enterprises.”
Liverpool City Council has officially opened Liverpool’s first Variety Livvi’s Place, a playspace promoting inclusivity among children of all ages and abilities, at Lt Cantello Reserve in Hammondville.
The playspace features an inclusive seesaw and custom-built embankment slide with an inclusive exit – both the first to be installed in Australia.
Mayor of Liverpool Ned Mannoun was joined by Liverpool City Councillors, Members of Parliament and Council staff for the ribboncutting ceremony which was followed by a barbecue for members of the community.
Meanwhile, local children enjoyed the new state-of-the-art play equipment for the first time, including a custom-built Bespoke tower with an eight-metre-long slide, pod swing and inclusive carousel and trampolines.
Mayor Mannoun expressed how proud Council was to deliver a playspace with Australian-first inclusive play equipment, where fun is accessible for everyone.
“Working with our fantastic partners, Variety – the Children’s Charity NSW/ACT and Proludic, every step of the way, we have brought the vision and spirit of Livvi’s Place to life in Liverpool.
“There was a huge amount of anticipation around the delivery of this playspace and many members of the community have been closely following Council’s progress.
“Through the ongoing challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic and unfavourable weather, we have worked incredibly hard to deliver this project as efficiently as possible.
“This playspace already means so much to so many families in this neighbourhood and surrounding communities across Liverpool,” Mayor Mannoun said.
Professional party entertainer and Wattle Grove mother-of-three Belinda Proctor expects to visit Variety Livvi’s Place in Hammondville at least once a week.
Her youngest Flynn is six years old and was diagnosed as non-verbal with Level Three Autism when he was just 18 months old.
She expressed that for many families in the community, like hers, who have children with additional needs, family time is often difficult and recalls many instances where Flynn has fled playspaces because he was feeling uncomfortable.
“Taking Flynn to a public playspace can be an overwhelming experience for both Flynn and I,” Ms Proctor said.
“Flynn has no true sense of danger so it can be exhausting, as a parent, to have to constantly watch, shadow and supervise him during playtime.”
Ms Proctor has visited Livvi’s Place playspaces in other Local Government Areas and said she was very excited to hear Hammondville was getting one of its own.
She said inclusive playspaces like Variety Livvi’s Place are crucial for the safety, education and social integration of autistic children but can have broader benefits for all children and families.
“It will make the world of difference for children with additional needs like Flynn who will be able to play safely with other children of all ages and abilities and not be restricted to his backyard most of the time.
“It also creates crucial opportunities for building connections and understanding among other families about the challenges faced by many families who have children with additional needs.
“If I have friends who want to catch up with us as a family, I now have somewhere safe to recommend we get together. Usually, we would have to miss out or split the family up so one parent was at home looking after Flynn at all times.”
Mayor Mannoun concluded that the delivery of this inclusive playspace is another step in Council’s journey towards making Liverpool an even more inclusive City that enriches the lives of residents both young and old.
NOT SURE WHERE TO BEGIN WITH PRIVACY IN YOUR COUNCIL?
NEWS Roper Gulf coping with biosecurity
The Australian Federal Minister for Health, Greg Hunt issued Section 477 of the Commonwealth Biosecurity Act 2015, which enforces the Covid-19 Biosecurity Zones on most of the Top End on 3 January.
The move came after the number of positive Covid-19 cases continued to rise in the Northern Territory and in a number of the remote Aboriginal communities, including the Roper Gulf region.
The Roper Gulf Biosecurity Zones were Gulf Ward. The Act restricts travel between Biosecurity Zones to essential reasons only and aims to help slow down the spread of Covid-19 in remote Aboriginal communities.
Biosecurity Zones will be in place until 17 February 2022, with potential for extension.
Roper Gulf Regional Council acting Chief Executive Officer Marc Gardner said the council was “committed to the health and safety of our people and Council wants to assure the public that all staff are taking all the appropriate precautions to ensure the safety of those who reside in the region”.
“Council has continued to restrict staff travel within the Roper Gulf region and from Katherine to essential reasons only so that essential Council services can still run in our communities and townships. “All staff must perform a Rapid Antigen Test (RAT) and receive a negative result on the day they plan to enter the Biosecurity Zone and this must be approved by Council’s management and Covid-19 Safety team.”
Mr Gardner said Council’s highest priority is the safety of the communities and importantly their staff.
“We are supportive of the measures that have been put in place and will go above and beyond the safety requirements to minimise any risk of Covid spreading to our communities,” he said.
Due to the rising number of positive cases in the region, the council was also experiencing staff shortages in a number of their communities.
The council was looking into what needed to be scaled back or temporarily closed down while staff isolate or recover from Covid-19.
“Our commitment is to ensure continuation of services, such as rubbish collection, still occurs in all our communities despite the current constraints,” Mr Gardner said.
“The current measures in place do not largely affect Council’s operations as the majority of our workforce are essential and meet the requirements of the current directives” Mr Gardner said.
Roper Gulf’s Mataranka offices.
Pledge on disaster prevention
The Australian Local Government Association (ALGA) has welcomed a pre-election commitment from Federal Labor to invest up to $200 million per year in disaster prevention and resilience.
President Linda Scott said that ALGA had asked all political parties to support such a program through its 2022 Federal Election Platform.
“Currently, less than five percent of our nation’s disaster funding goes towards mitigation and community resilience measures,” Cr Scott said.
“This needs to increase to make sure that our communities – particularly those where exposure to fires and floods is greatest – are better prepared for the increasing number of emergency events we’re seeing.”
“Aside from the spiralling human toll, the economic costs of natural disasters now far exceed insured losses.”
“However, independent analysis we’ve commissioned shows that a $200 million per year investment in disaster mitigation would create up to 1833 new jobs and add $280 million to our nation’s GDP.”
Cr Scott said that local governments around Australia would also welcome this pre-election funding commitment.
“We make a substantial contribution to disaster relief, recovery, and management, through investing in evacuation centres, fire breaks, and telecommunications improvements,” Cr Scott said.
“If local governments are to reduce and manage the impacts of future natural disaster events on our communities, we need increased support and certainty of funding.”
“Physical mitigation measures such as flood levees and stormwater catchments can be expensive, especially for small rural, coastal, and riverine councils with small ratepayer bases.”
“It is vitally important that we help our communities adapt to and address the impacts of climate change, and new disaster mitigation funding will help accelerate this work,” she said.
Law council calls for reforms
The Law Council of Australia’s pre-budget submission is calling for a full review of the resourcing needs of the judicial system.
“All Australians have the right to seek justice, but this right doesn’t count for much if it cannot be exercised. Ensuring this right for every person underpins each of the recommendations contained in the Law Council’s Pre-Budget Submission,” Law Council of Australia President, Mr Tass Liveris explained.
“We want the Australian Government to commit to this review and to providing resources if areas that require additional support are identified.
“In addition, we would like to see increased allocations in the 2022-23 Budget for our courts, commissions and tribunals to enable them to fill vacancies, appoint additional judges and reduce backlogs.
“Legal problems commonly occur in society, however an unacceptable proportion of our population are disadvantaged and vulnerable in their interactions with our legal system. “Increasing baseline ongoing funding for Legal Aid Commissions, Community Legal Centres, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Legal Services and Family Violence Prevention Legal Services by at least $400 million is critical to addressing current service gaps.
“Australians living outside capital cities are one group in particular who can face difficulties in accessing legal services. The Australian Government should allocate adequate, longterm funding for legal assistance services in regional, rural and remote communities and investigate funding for the development of incentive programs that encourage solicitors to take up employment in these communities.”
The Law Council’s submission also seeks to ensure an improved family law system through implementation of the remaining Australian Law Reform Commission’s recommendations in its Inquiry into the Family Law System, including sustained funding of court-based initiatives that aim to facilitate early dispute resolution, such as the Lighthouse Project, the Priority Property Pools under $500,000 program, and the Family Dispute Resolution program. “While still out for consultation, we hope to see funds set aside in this year’s Budget for implementation of the National Plan to Reduce Violence Against Women and Children,” Mr Liveris said.
Contact: Kristen Connell, P. 0400 054 227, E. kristen@talkforcemedia.com.au
Charity issues
St Vincent de Paul Society’s National Council has highlighted the key issues affecting Australians today as they try and cope with the Pandemic.
The group has released its submission to The Treasury ahead of this year’s Federal Budget, listing policy issues which, if addressed, they believe will significantly improve the lives of many people doing it tough, while stimulating economic growth.
National President Claire Victory said at the very least the full Pandemic Leave Disaster Payment must be reinstated, the base rate of JobSeeker must increase, there must be an urgent additional investment in social and community housing and there must be more humane help for people on temporary visas.
‘We know that over the last two years Australia’s 47 billionaires have doubled their collective wealth, while millions of others are struggling to make ends meet.
‘This growing inequity must be addressed,’ Ms Victory said. The National Council is calling on the Federal Government to:
JobSeeker and Pandemic Leave Disaster Payment
·Reinstate the Pandemic Leave Disaster
Payment to $750 a week (up from $450) · Implement all 27 recommendations made by the Community Affairs References Committee in its final report on
The Adequacy of Newstart and related payments, April 2020 · Establish an independent body to provide advice on the equity of income support system and rates of payments and pensions · Increase the base rate of working age payments from $44 to $67 a day · Index working age payments twice a year in line with wage growth and CPI · Increase the earnings threshold for income support payments from $150 to $300 per fortnight. · · People on temporary visas Make status resolution support services (SRSS) available to visa holders based on need, including for people waiting for assessments or review of their claims for protection · Review the existing SRSS eligibility criteria and reinstate funding to at least 2017-18 levels of $140 million a year (an additional $120 million a year) · Make SRSS and special benefit payments available to full time students on temporary/bridging visas · · Social and Community housing Implement all 35 recommendations in the final Report, Parliamentary Inquiry into Homelessness in Australia (July 2021) · Establish an independent advisory body to develop a cross-jurisdictional 10-year National Housing Strategy with key stakeholders, underpinned by a $10 billion Social and Affordable Housing Fund · Review Commonwealth Rent Assistance and increase the maximum rate by 50 per cent · Reinstate the National Rental Affordability Scheme or find a suitable replacement scheme · Fund the National Low Income Energy Productivity Program ($2 billion in 2021-22)
‘The impact of poverty in Australia is largely borne by people on social security payments, people who rent, single parents and people who cannot find enough work to make ends meet,’ Ms Victory said.
Winners NSW local government awards 2021
During an on-line Awards ceremony Walgett Shire Council were announced winners of the NSW Local Government “Best on-going commitment Youth Week 2021” achieving this prestigious award in front of much larger city-based Councils in Camden and Fairfield.
It was exciting to be informed mid-October, Walgett Shire Council had been named as finalists in three of a possible four categories for the Youth Week 2021 Local Government Awards. This outstanding result places the succession of NSW awards at 14 years in which Walgett Shire Council youth and Local youth events had great attendance
community teams have been awarded winners of numerous categories of the NSW Local Government Youth Week Awards. The challenges faced to deliver Youth Week 2021 activities and opportunities was an experience our youth teams had not expected to endure. However, some amazing outcomes have been achieved with the programs and initiatives engaging 2800 plus young people across the Shire in 43 individual events delivered over a three-week period this year. The final evaluation & acquittals were submitted to the NSW Government funding bodies and Council’s youth and community staff waiting anxiously for the announcement of finalists.
Plans and discussions have already begun in preparation and a commitment to improve and capture youth and young people for the 2022 Youth Week program which will be delivered in April.
New business connection vital for success
RDA Orana has been commissioned to undertake community engagement to support Walgett Shire Council to implement their Collarenebri Economic Development Program. The overarching goal of the project is to enhance business capacity and connection
Denyer Skate Park murial in the Collarenebri community achieved through the creation and development of local strengths and opportunities. Below is an image, part of a mural at Denyer Skate Park, Council discovered “Home of the Cod”... that tells the story of the fish traps in Brewarrina and of the links to Collarenebri community. If you live or work in Collarenebri and would like to participate in the project or our community survey - we’d love to hear from you... Register your interest @ https://landing. rdaorana.org.au/collarenebri-economicdevelopment-program or Phone Kerry Palmer, Project Officer M 0436 026 321.
Community health is top priority
Council continue to support and partner six months the group estimate they have with agencies and community groups supplied over 150 boxes of fruit and veg working to improve the health and to community members and countless wellbeing , skill enhancement, and general bags of other produce. capacity of the residents across our Shire They encourage any community members in their community wellbeing initiative. to drop down to the patch and come and Over several years Council has partnered engage in some purposeful activity. with Rotary and The Ridge Community Gardening Project in Lightning Ridge. The organisers of this group Ana and Nick and group of volunteers work tirelessly in an effort to supply fresh produce to the community of Lifting Ridge. Following a good season of rainfall and suitable growing conditions the group have pulled off some amazing fruit and vegetables this year. When we spoke with Ana she informed during the last A great growing season was experienced
It’s been a hard slog this past year and I would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge our amazing resilient community, it’s been a horrendous and unprecedented time for the community with Covid reaching the shire, months of stay at home restrictions, mouse plague and flooding across parts of the shire. Also, a big thank you to every-one for rolling up their sleeves and having their vaccinations to keep family, friends and the wider community safe from this insidious disease. It’s been another big year for Council with many projects continuing to roll out across the entire shire, and I thank the staff for their commitment to the on-going betterment of the Walgett Shire and its many communities. Below are some of the projects that were completed or commenced during the past twelve months.
A message from the General Manager
New picket fence around number one oval Walgett Completion of footpath/cycleway in
Lightning Ridge Council is supporting the OPA 4 community consultation process Construction of the Lightning Ridge Multipurpose Centre Construction of the Burren Junction Bore
Baths amenities Completion of the Walgett Weir Completion of the Leonard Pavilion and amenities upgrade Walgett Showground Facilitation and lobbying both the NSW
State and Commonwealth Governments for a heavy vehicle permit system in the opal fields Historic interpretive signage for Walgett
CBD New children’s playground for Gray Park
Walgett New fencing at Lightning Ridge Spider
Brown Oval New playground completed for Come-By-
Chance village Jimmy Little mural Walgett water tower Contribution to new PCYC for Walgett youth centre The 21/22 year is also shaping up to be another big one with just some of new capital work programs and general maintenance of shire infrastructure: New Artesian Hot Springs Pool in the
Collarenebri main street with an adjoining park and amenities. New Footpaths and drainage in Kaolin
Street Lightning Ridge. New toilet block and showers for Lions
Park Lightning Ridge. New playground and toilet block at
Grawin. Reconstruction of the Come By Chance
Road, this is one of the largest roadwork projects undertaken by Council in recent times. New toilet blocks and showers for
Trevallion and Apex Parks Walgett Construction of a new cooling tower and chlorination facility in Lightning Ridge. Council have embarked on a “Main Street Beautification” program which is open to all businesses in Walgett, Collarenebri and Lightning Ridge: 1. Removal of bars from shop windows and doors and installation of appropriate crim safe, or like security doors and window covers. Under this program Council will reimburse to a maximum of $4,000 per premise upon completion and presentation of receipts. 2. Shop front painting program whereby Council will reimburse the owner to a maximum of $1,000 per premise toward the purchase of paint. Labour and other costs related to painting the shop fronts is the responsibility of the owner. Lastly, our sporting ovals, town entries, parks and gardens look absolutely amazing, a real credit to the Council staff who are going above and beyond, to make sure the towns and villages are clean, tidy and presentable for local residents and the many visitors that are expected in the coming months.
