Council

Narrandera Shire Council General Manager George Cowan said this week’s decision by IPART to introduce the lowest rate cap in 20 years did not reflect reality. “It is based upon a formulae that reflects generic cost indexes that may have prevailed during the previous financial year. The real cost increase facing Councils next financial year includes wages growth, substantial increases in fuel costs and these are two of the biggest inputs affecting Council operations,” Mr Cowan said.

Tuesday, December 14 saw the official opening of the Koondrook All Abilities Playground. A dream of former councillor, Steve Tasker, to provide joy for children with limited mobility has resulted in the $592,000 Koondrook All Abilities Playground.

It was an exciting day for Moulamein as officials and locals celebrated the opening of the Moulamein Heritage Village. Situated on the corner of Cedar Avenue and Paterson Street, the former vacant land is now home to some of the district’s historical gems. Locals pursued a vision to construct the historical village for visitors and locals to enjoy with the added benefit of doubling as a venue space for events, weddings and music concerts.

South Australian based group ‘The Headstone Project’ recently dedicated the graves of 18 veterans of WWI who lay in the Port Pirie cemetery in unmarked graves with a dedication ceremony held on 20 November 2021.

Geoff Helisma. There may be fewer than 50 coastal emus left in existence, but the efforts of  Lions Club of Clarence – Environmental  (LCC-E) and its proactive relationships with government departments and Clarence Valley Council (CVC) have resulted in measures to protect the endangered bird. The speed limit along a 7.2km section of Brooms Head Road, Taloumbi, has been reduced from 100km/h to 80km/h and warning signs have been painted on the road.

Geoff Helisma. Last week, Clarence Valley Council (CVC) issued a media release stating that the Clarence Valley is amidst a building boom, based on development applications (DA) approved in the 2020/21 financial year. Clarence Valley Council’s director of environment and planning Adam Cameron said the upward trend had continued into the current financial year, with benefits being seen beyond the building industry.

The Museum of the Riverina is showcasing the link between artists and regenerative farmers in a new exhibition at the Museum’s Historic Council Chambers site. Earth Canvas touring exhibition explores the creative experiences of both regenerative farmers and artists, their respective engagement with the land, and their vision for a healthier world.

A towering moving sculpture, light shows and late night trading in the heart of Castlemaine, lead Mount Alexander Shire Council’s invitation to residents to step out and celebrate the year’s end ... From Wednesday 8 December until Tuesday 4 January Taradale artist, Alex Sanson’s towering kinetic sculpture Spherophyte, will fold and unfold in hypnotic motion in Victory Park, Castlemaine.

Sheryl Lowe. “So, you can imagine our dismay upon receiving a letter from Mr. Munivenkata Krishna Sunkappa Reddappa advising us that the rail trail has been funded and contracts let, asking us if we had any concerns. Surely it was a bit late in coming after years of design, funding applications and tenders and contracts finalised. Any concerns the affected ratepayers may have had should have been addressed long before now.”

The NSW Minister for Local Government, The Hon Shelley Hancock MP, a week out from the local government elections released a consultation paper.    The paper concerns the operation of the Code of Conduct provisions of the Local Government Act. These are contentious provisions both in their terms and in their operation ... The Code of Conduct provisions are a bureaucratic supervision of community-elected representatives.

Narrandera Shire Council appears set to welcome a number of new representatives including one of its youngest ever councillors in Narrandera Youth Council Mayor Braden Lyons, as counting continues after the local government elections on Saturday.

Rockliffe Winery’s summer events, six in all, have been cancelled, a move which both the Shire of Denmark and winery owner Steve Hall call disappointing ... Via an email he received ... from the Shire, Mr Hall was informed that 30 days was necessary for an event application to be lodged because he did not have an event-approved venue ... Mr Hall has been running events at the winery for 18 years ...

The Denmark Historical Society surprised Shire councillors with the marking of 110 years of local government in the shire recently. By tradition after every Shire election, councillors and the Shire chief executive are invited to the Denmark Museum to be shown the historical society’s work. One hundred and 10 years ago this year George Flay and JD Smith successfully campaigned for the Denmark Road Board which was gazetted in August 1911.

This years event will be a little different! We will be hosting a range of new entertainment including, jumping castles, water slides, petting zoo, mechanical bull and so much more! Join us on Friday the 17 of December from 5:00 pm for the festivities!

Aurukun mayor Keri Tamwoy was last week honoured with the National NAIDOC Award for person of the year, paying tribute to her commitment to community. In an emotional acceptance speech, recorded remotely due to the pandemic, Cr Tamwoy said the award was recognition for a lot of people in Aurukun.

After a year of lockdowns the Moooving Art herd have broken loose to explore the region and the Greater Shepparton Visitor Centre needs your help rounding them up! Wandering away from their usual sites, the cheeky cattle have left behind a list of clues to solve before they return home. The treasure hunt consists of several cow locations around the region including Shepparton, Mooroopna, Merrigum, Murchison, Tatura and Dookie.

The bottom of your kitchen draw isn’t where you would expect to find award winning art, but Darren O’Brien did. The Glenwood resident took out top spot in the open category at the 2021 Waste to Art Competition with Bitza, the junk yard dog who represented the problem of rubbish in our oceans ... Darren described Bitza as a “big pile of crap” and that creating the work had been a labour of love.

Earlier this year, Rockhampton Regional Council and Queensland Police Service Rockhampton stood united in support of women’s safety by endorsing a locally run initiative – the OzAngel program. Designed to provide businesses with support and resources, OzAngel offers patrons a discreet way to raise the alarm when they feel unsafe in bars, clubs and hotels.

Sheryl Lowe. Father Woods Park statues will be the focus of discussions between Wattle Range Council and the Penola Catholic Community in coming weeks ... Cr Price successfully moved for Council to approach the Catholic Church leaders at Penola to see if they would support the relocation of the statues to Penola due to the safety concerns at the current site.