Glen Innes Severn Council

EMERGENCY BUSH FIRE INFORMATION

Bush Fire Information Line: 1800 679 737 (1800 NSW RFS)

Fires Near Me NSW App

www.rfs.nsw.gov.au

facebook.com/nswrfs; twitter.com/nswrfs; Local radio, TV and news.

WHITE ROCK WIND FARM (WRWF) SEEKING COMMITTEE MEMBERS

WRWF is seeking one (1) new committee member to help with applications for the fourth round of funding from the White Rock Wind Farm Community Fund. For full information please go to the application form at this link: 

WRWF Committee

EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST

Bushfire Community Resilience and Recovery Fund (BCCRF) Community Grants Program – Total Value: $78,012 Excl. GST

Council is inviting Expressions of Interest from the community for small-scale community projects that meet one or more of the Disaster Recovery Outcomes. Funding is provided through the Commonwealth Government Bushfire Community Resilience and Recovery Fund. The total amount of this Community Grant program round available is $78,012 Ex GST. All projects submitted need to be completed by 29 June 2022.

Full information is available at this link on this website: 

https://www.gisc.nsw.gov.au/economic-development/economic-development/grants-funding-opportunities

Expression of Interest Closing date: 5.00pm, 28 February 2021.

Applications can be submitted by email to council@gisc.nsw.gov.au or by post to PO Box 61, Glen INNES, NSW, 2370. Attention to Craig Bennett, General Manager, Glen Innes Severn Council

For further details please contact Richard Quinn at rquinn@gisc.nsw.gov.au

PRESENTATION OF AUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

In accordance with Section 418 (3) of the Local Government Act 1993, Glen Innes Severn Council advises that the Ordinary Council Meeting held on Thursday, 17 December 2020 included the presentation of the audited Financial Statements and the Auditor's Reports for the financial year ending 30 June 2020.

A summary of the Financial Statements is provided at this link: 

PRESENTATION OF AUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FEBRUARY 2021 ORDINARY COUNCIL MEETING

The February 2021 Ordinary Council Meeting will be held at the Glen Innes Severn Library and Learning Centre on Thursday, 25 February 2021, starting at 6.00pm. The Business Paper will be available for viewing on Council's website from approximately 5.00pm on Friday, 19 February 2021.

Council is continuing to practice Social Distancing as recommended by the NSW State Government during the Coronavirus pandemic. Therefore, Council meetings are not open to public attendance until further notice. The provision of a Public Forum before the start of Council meetings has also ceased until further notice. 

However, in lieu of the Public Forum, members of the public may lodge an “Application to Speak at the Community Consultation Session Held Prior to the Ordinary Council Meetings” form and provide a written submission which will be distributed to Councillors prior to the Ordinary Council Meeting. Please note that any submissions to Council are not read out aloud at the meeting.

The application form must be received by Council by 12 noon on the Tuesday before the Council meeting. Therefore, for the February Council meeting, the form must be received by 12 noon on Tuesday, 23 February 2021. 

Please also note that Council meetings will continue to be live streamed and viewable on Council’s website for a period of twelve (12) months from the date of the meeting. There is no Council meeting in January 2021. 

COUNCIL HAS FULLY REOPENED FOR BUSINESS

Council reminds residents that Council services and facilities are fully operational subject to satisfying the requirement to adhere to COVID-19 guidelines from the NSW State Government. Council’s Town Hall and Church Street Offices are open from 8.30am to 4.30pm on weekdays. However, please observe social distancing requirements such as only two customers can be in the foyers at any one time. Where possible, please conduct business with Council online or by phone.

Please note that the conditions of operation of Council services and facilities are frequently changing. Therefore, Council recommends that residents check for information up-dates about the opening hours and conditions operating at the Glen Innes Severn Library and Learning Centre, the Glen Innes Visitor Information Centre (V.I.C.), Life Choices – Support Services (LC-SS) and Glen Innes Landfill, on the Council website and the websites for the library, the V.I.C. (Glen Innes Highlands) and LC-SS.

Glen Innes Saleyards

Council would like to remind residents that sales scheduled at the Glen Innes Saleyards are strictly limited to agents, their nominated staff and potential buyers. The sales remain closed to vendors and the general public under current COVID guidelines. The 1.5 metre social distancing guidelines still apply to those in attendance at sales. Transporters are reminded that access to the saleyards is for drop off or collection of livestock only. Council thanks everyone for their assistance in adhering to these guidelines.

Glen Innes Landfill Tip Shop

The tip shop is open again to the public. 1.5 m distancing will still apply and it will be open during the same trading hours as the Landfill.

This means: Monday to Friday 8.30am to 4.30pm and weekends 11.00am to 4.00pm

15 MINUTE PARKING ZONES INTRODUCED

From Friday, 26 June 2020 there will be new 1/4 hour (15 minute) parking zones effective on Grey Street applicable to four (4) parking spaces on the south side and three (3) parking spaces on the north side of the Bourke Street / Grey Street roundabout. These zones are applicable from 8.30am - 6.00pm, Monday to Friday and from 8.30am – 12.30pm on Saturday.

In April 2020 Council received a request from a resident for short term parking near the two (2) local pharmacies on Grey Street, to enable scripts to be easily picked up without leaving the vehicle. Due to COVID-19, the local pharmacies were delivering scripts to customers in their vehicles. In response, Council contacted both local pharmacies and both suggested that designated short term parking would be beneficial. Grey Street had short-term parking in the past however this was not re-instated after the Grey Street up-grade.

WATER RESTRICTIONS

Council advises that effective from Friday, 26 June 2020 the Glen Innes local Government Area has moved to LEVEL ONE (1) water restrictions.

Restrictions apply to the use of town water carted to rural properties and villages. Council encourages residents to refer to information on water saving tips at: www.nejo.nsw.gov.au/water-saving-tips/

Any changes to water restrictions will be communicated through Council’s website and Facebook page as well as through local media.

Further information on levels of water restriction can be found here.

COMMENTARY ON FACEBOOK POSTS

Council’s Facebook page is an important platform for information to be communicated from Council to residents. Council advises that any commentary posted on Facebook posts which does not relate to the subject of the post will be removed. The reason for this is so that the information in the post is not confused by unrelated commentary.
Council also advises that any commentary that is abusive, bullying, illegal or misinforms residents on any issue will also be removed. Any persons who regularly post abusive, bullying or illegal commentary, or who regularly misinform residents will be reported to Facebook for further action by Facebook and will be blocked from Council's Facebook page.
Council also reserves the right to take any legal action as may be required regarding the misuse of Council’s Facebook page and the interference of Council’s use of this platform for the communication of information to residents.

ALTERNATIVE METHODS FOR PAYING COUNCIL RATES

INFORMATION ON CORONAVIRUS FROM NSW DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH

Council urges residents to check up-to-date accurate information on Coronavirus at this website link:

https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/Infectious/diseases/Pages/coronavirus.aspx

Council also urges residents to practice easy hygiene steps which may assist in staying healthy during the up-coming flu season:

https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/Infectious/diseases/Pages/protect-yourself.aspx  

If you have any other concerns, please call the National Coronavirus Health information Line on 1800 020 080.