The Shires Administrator Bob Stewart reported on a meeting he had with the NSW Minister for Local Government, Hon. Ron Hoenig and the Minister for Water, the Hon. Rose Jackson.

Bob reported that the Minister is keen to bring the Shire out of Administration however he also understands the challenges faced by Council in a number of areas, including day-today operations and financial sustainability. In regard to fincial management a team from the Office of Local Government and Consultants has been engaged to review Councils finances. Bob said that he and the General Manager are working with the Department to ‘facilitate a roadmap’.

In his talks with Minister Jackson Bob expressed concerns over the delay to the Wilcannia Weir, a previous government’s commitment to review of flooding impacts and the recent flooding at Menindee.

The Shire will also be submitting an entry onto the AR Bluett Memorial Award. Council has won this award on 2004 and this year they will be assessed on their relative progress made in the 2022/23 financial years, with a focus on projects and initiatives.

Shire rates

Due to a clerical error the Council’s ordinary meeting of the 28th June did not adopt the recommendation for the making of Domestic Waste Management Charges. This has delayed the issuing of rate notices, The recommendation was passed in the July meeting and rate notices were to be issued on Thursday 27th July.

Sale of land for unpaid rates

Due to the complexity of legislation covering the sale of land for unpaid rates by local government bodies the contracts entered into on the day of sale will need to be amended. The contracts were signed under the Corporations Act 2001, but as Council is not a corporation they need to have the Council’s seal attached in accordance with the Local Government (General) Regulation 2021 (NSW) S400. The cost of this is being borne by Council’s solicitor.

Finance

The total of cash and investments was $12,121,937.17, which looks a very healthy balance. However as Council’s Finance team reported the whole of the Federal Governments Financial Assistance Grant (FAG) for the 2023/34 year has been received. There will be no further funds available, so this has to last council for the year.

Facebook Market Place for properties for sale

Council is regularly contacted regarding land and properties for sale in the shire and as there are no real estate agents in the Shire. The Council have received legal advice from Local Government NSW which said that a Facebook Marketplace page was considered low risk, if developed and maintained well. Three Wilcannia properties will be placed on the page, are available for direct negotiation with the price based on latest Valuer General land value. Council will also be encouraging conveyancers to advertise their service and the page will be open to anyone wishing to sell land in the shire. The page is expected to be available mid to late August 2023.

Menindee Native Fish Hatchery

Following the 2018/19 major fish kill at Menindee residents and Council lobbied for capital investment to develop a Native Fish Hatchery. The Federal Government commissioned an independent review of the proposal and this review has found some significant risks:

• Capital costs forecast to be higher than original budget
• market for native fish is saturated
• no group with established governance structure to take the project on
• the complexities of establishing a hatchery at odds with the time frame of June 2024
• limited benefits for native fish recovery.

Council will be writing to the Federal Minister Hon Tanya Plibersek seeking further clarification and information.

Community recovery officer

As reported at the June Council meeting the Council declined the NSW governments offer of this position. Following enquires on possible budge increase, and being advised there would be no further allocation, the offer was again declined.

Voice to Parliament

Council will not form an opinion nor make any further public comment on this matter, however urges all eligible residents to check their electoral enrolment and be prepared for the referendum.

Council staff structure

As at 30th June 2023 the Council employ, as full time equivalents (FTE):

• 4.63 Governance staff
• 11.00 Business services
• 34.57 Shire Services
• Total 50.20 FTE

This leaves 13.57 positions unfilled.

Shire services

Director for Shire Services Reece Wilson reported there are 8 road crews working across the shire. The Pooncarie road is on track with around 11kms remaining, The White Cliffs ring road has received an extension of time for completion in September. The Roads to Recovery program has a lot of planning and work underway.

Confidential matters

The termination of the contract with Membrane System Australia. [press release in the issue]

This article appeared in the Wilcannia News, August 2023.