RURAL AND REGIONAL
Cross border cooperation Four councils have come together to provide opportunities for improved service delivery, access to high quality community infrastructure, and positive and social economic outcomes. Mayor Libro Mustica said Moira Shire Council, Berrigan Shire Council, Federation Council, and Indigo Council had recognised, while jurisdictional lines need to exist on maps, in the day to day lives of communities they are invisible and in many cases frequently crossed. “We all recognise that at a regional level our communities have many common experiences and interests,” Mayor Mustica said. “In particular, there are townships along our borders that are entirely integrated and interdependent. “Therefore the relationships of the communities within the four local government areas vary, depending on geographical and individual circumstances. “The principles of the Memorandum of Understanding will establish the basis for the mutual commitment to and management of the agreement.” Cr Mustica said the principles were – To appreciate each council’s perspective and work towards finding common ground; Cooperation; Open information sharing; Maximising service delivery opportunities to
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meet a common community need;
· Reducing costs and eliminate duplication; and · Seek to be innovative. “There are also five key focus areas being – issues of regional and national significance; aligning services and sharing information; community infrastructure works; local transport; and regional economic development,” he said. “Some main objectives are to advocate to better inform decision making, attract investment, and adopt a collaborative approach to planning, funding, programs and projects. “We already cooperate on various services to some degree including waste, tourism, emergency management planning, and events and this memorandum is formalising and expanding this process.
Federation Council Mayor Patrick Bourke, Berrigan Shire Council Mayor Matthew Hannan, Indigo Shire Council Mayor Bernard Gaffney, and Moira Shire Council Mayor Libro Mustica.
Harmony and good food assist Planning for farms A celebration of cultural diversity culminated in a community recipe book inspired by Devonport residents and the lighting up of the city’s convention centre in support of Ukraine. Devonport City Council published the recipe book online and lit up Parnaple Convention Centre in yellow and blue during Harmony Week from 21-27 March Devonport Mayor Annette Rockliff said she hoped the fitting tribute during Harmony Week provided a visual reminder for the community to reflect and appreciate our country’s cultural diversity and freedom. The Ukraine flag also featured on the outdoor TV screen in Market Square each evening during the week. The Mayor said Harmony Week was a fantastic annual celebration of the diversity and coexistence of cultures in Australia. Cr Rockliff said the recipe book contains contributions from Devonport residents who have shared a dish from their home country, a country they have lived in or simply a dish they love. “Devonport is home for many cultures and it’s important as a community that we celebrate and support significant milestones such as Harmony Day, particularly at a time when some cultures are suffering globally,” Cr Rockliff said. “Food is a great way to bring people from all walks of life together, so what better way to do this than to provide a community collection of recipes that reflects the different cultures in our great city.” Devonport residents Sachet Devkota and Deepa Bhattrai have shared one of their favourite Nepalese recipes of fried goat in the Harmony Week Devonport Recipe Book. Mr Devkota said since the couple relocated to Devonport last year from Sydney for his role as a Civil Engineer at Devonport City Council, they had enjoyed sharing their traditional Nepalese recipes with friends and work colleagues. “Sharing food from our home country of Nepal is an honour and I hope the residents of
The Market Square Screen. Devonport enjoy our fried goat recipe, which is a favourite in our family,” Mr Devkota said. “Goat is the most consumed red meat and is the preferred choice of 63% of the world’s population, it’s a delicacy in our country.” Mr Devkota said the first time the couple had been to Tasmania was the day they relocated to Devonport for his new job, and they have loved the move. “We love living in Devonport and exploring what Tasmania has to offer. We find the community friendly, and our jobs have helped us meet more people,” he said. “Celebrating culture is important and we are pleased to share something from our country with the Devonport community.” Cr Rockliff said Council also held a Citizenship Ceremony during Harmony Week. She said seven residents from countries such as India, Taiwan and Malaysia and Taiwan will officially become Australian Citizens.
Devonport City Council employee Sachet Devkota with his wife Deepa Bhattrai and Council’s Eleanor McCormack with the new recipe book, which was part of this year’s Harmony Week celebrations.
Armidale Council (NSW) resolved unanimously to make changes to local planning laws that make it easier for farmers to use their land in new and innovative ways. This includes tourism activities such as farm experiences, cellar doors and farm stay accommodation. The reforms allow farmers wishing to renovate and operate old workers cottages and shearers quarters for overnight stays or let small groups camp on the property for a few days at a time obtain fast-tracked Council approval. Councillor Paul Packham spoke strongly in support of the proposed planning reforms and requested Council make a further commitment to delivering a promotion package and planning concierge services to inform farmers of the new opportunities and assist farmers with the required approval processes. “Agri-tourism is on the rise and these reforms provide opportunities for generating another source of income and will assist the farming community to become more resilient to seasonal highs and lows,” he said. “It bodes well for our regional aspirations for jobs and boosting the economy, but unless promoted there may be a lack of awareness and lost opportunity.” Recognising that approval processes are often a disincentive to take up such opportunities, especially for busy farmers, Cr Packham concluded ‘Promoting the opportunities and guiding the hand of farmers through the process is a win-win outcome for our farmers and our region.’ The council will now refer the proposed reforms to the NSW Government to seek their endorsement prior to them coming into effect.
Community improvements filtering through Capella in Queensland has received an abundance of drinking water with new ultrafiltration system filtering thirty-five per cent more water than the community requires. At the beginning of March 2022, Central Highlands Regional Council installed new equipment at the Capella water treatment plant to help keep up with increased demand seen 16 LOCAL GOVERNMENT FOCUS April 2022
over the summer months. The hired machinery will support the communities immediate need giving council the opportunity to find a long-term solution.
‘As part of council’s water sustainability projects, the system is a short-term solution that will increase residential water production to two Mega Litres a day,’ said Infrastructure
and Utilities General Manager Jason Hoolihan. ‘We thank the community for their understanding as we implemented this new system,’ said General Manager Jason Hoolihan. LGFOCUS.COM.AU
