Glen Innes Severn Council

COUNCIL MEETINGS CLOSED TO GENERAL PUBLIC UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE
In compliance with NSW Department of Health advice and mandates about meetings, gatherings, events, functions and social distancing, Council meetings will not be open to the general public until further notice. Live streaming will continue. View Council meetings at: http://webcast.gisc.nsw.gov.au/

HOW GLEN INNES SEVERN COUNCIL IS OPERATING DURING THE CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC

Glen Innes Severn Council is taking all steps to ensure that essential Council services in the Local Government Area remain operational during the Coronavirus Pandemic, while also observing all Federal and NSW State Government requirements and mandates to keep residents safe and healthy.

As the situation is very fluid, with changes being announced almost daily, Council has to also remain flexible and adaptive as circumstances change. Council will endeavour to keep residents updated with any changes to services as regularly and as immediately as possible through Council’s website, Facebook page and the local media.

From close of business on Monday, 23 March 2020 and until further notice, the following services will be closed:

1. Glen Innes Severn Library and Learning Centre.
2. Council swimming pools at Glen Innes and Emmaville.
3. Visitor Information Centre (V.I.C.)
4. The Youth Booth (youth centre).

There will be limited access to services at the Library and the V.I.C. such as a facility to pick up and drop off books at the library, and the availability of some services on-line or by phone at the V.I.C. More detailed information will be circulated about this in the near future.

There will also be information issued about Life Choices – Support Services (LC-SS) and Children and Family Services (CAFS) services and facilities, including Out of School Hours (OOSH) and Vacation Care, as soon as possible.

The Church Street offices will be closed as of close of business on Monday, 23 March 2020 and all enquiries should be directed to either the Town Hall offices, which will remain open, or by phone to relevant personnel. Some Council personnel may be working from home, however, this should not overly impact on the services provided.

All essential Council services such as Water and Sewer, Ranger and Waste Depots will remain fully operational.

It is anticipated that Council meetings will continue but will not be open to the general public until further notice. Live streaming will remain available.

Council urges residents to observe all public health recommendations and mandates from the Federal and NSW State Governments through government websites such as https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/Infectious/diseases/Pages/coronavirus.aspx and to put health and safety for yourselves, for your families and for the Local Government Area as a priority.

Craig Bennett, General Manager

WHITE ROCK WIND FARM COMMUNITY FUND - grants commence

The third round of White Rock Wind Farm Community Fund grants commence today, Thursday, 26 March 2020.

 Applications will be considered for under $5,000 and over $5,000. 

Applications close at 4:30pm on Friday, 1 May 2020. No late applications will be accepted.

Please see attached guidelines and application forms.

WRWF CF Guidelines 

WRWF Application Form for Grants UNDER $5,000

WRWF Application Form for Grants OVER $5,000

ALTERNATIVE METHODS FOR PAYING COUNCIL

Community views on whether Councillors should receive superannuation payments are being sought by the Office of Local Government (OLG).

Currently, Councils across Australia are not required to make superannuation contributions in addition to the fees they pay to mayors and councillors.

The OLG is responding to concerns that the ineligibility of councillors to receive superannuation payments is inequitable and may be a deterrent to more women and younger people standing as candidates at Council elections.

At present, mayors and councillors can voluntarily contribute a portion of their fees to a complying superannuation fund of their choice. The question is, should this voluntary position be changed, and if so, how should it be changed.

Four options have been posed by the OLG as possible solutions to the concerns raised.

Firstly, should the status quo be maintained with mayors and councillors being able to continue to voluntarily contribute a portion of their fees to a complying superannuation fund of their choice? This option upholds that Councils are not employers of mayors and councillors and therefore under the Superannuation Guarantee (Administration) Act 1993, are not obligated to pay superannuation to them.

Another option is to mandate the current voluntary position by making it compulsory for Councils to pay a portion of the mayoral and councillor’s fees equivalent to the superannuation guarantee amount into a complying superannuation fund of the recipient’s choice.

An alternative option is to allow Councils to voluntarily pay an amount equivalent to the superannuation guarantee in addition to the mayoral and councillor’s fees. This would mean that superannuation payments in addition to the fees would be at each Council’s discretion. It would also allow each Council to take into account its resources and the local community’s views.

The fourth option is to make it compulsory for Councils to pay an amount equivalent to the superannuation guarantee into a complying superannuation fund nominated by the mayor and councillors, in addition to the mayoral and councillors fees.

Residents are encouraged to engage in this issue and to make submissions. There is a Discussion Paper on Councillor Superannuation available at the OLG website:

www.olg.nsw.gov.au

Submissions may be made to olg@olg.nsw.gov.au labelled ‘Councillor Superannuation Consultation’ and marked to the attention of OLG’s Council Governance Team. Submissions should be made before COB Friday, 8 May 2020.

For further information please contact the Council Governance team by email: olg@olg.nsw.gov.au or by calling (02) 4428 4100.

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.    

WATER RESTRICTIONS

Council advises that effective from Thursday, 5 March 2020 the Glen Innes local Government Area has moved to LEVEL THREE (3) 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 in this Restriction Strategies excerpt from Council’s Drought Management Plan. The full plan can be viewed on our website via this link.

PUBLIC EXHIBITION OF DRAFT GLEN INNES SEVERN COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION PLAN AND DRAFT GLEN INNES SEVERN STRATEGIC PLANNING STATEMENT

Council invites written submissions on the Draft Glen Innes Severn Community Participation Plan and on the Draft Glen Innes Severn Strategic Planning Statement.  

Submission forms are available at Council’s Town Hall and Church Street Offices and the Library/Learning Centre, as well as the village Post Offices at Emmaville, Deepwater and Glencoe.

Kindly note that submissions regarding the abovementioned Draft Glen Innes Severn Community Participation Plan and the Draft Glen Innes Severn Strategic Planning Statement close at 4.30pm on Thursday, 2 April 2020.

GLEN INNES SEVERN COUNCIL LOCAL STRATEGIC PLANNING STATEMENT

GLEN INNES SEVERN COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION PLAN

PUBLIC COMMENTS FORM COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION PLAN

PUBLIC COMMENTS FORM STRATEGIC PLANNING STATEMENT

NSW INDEPENDENT BUSHFIRE INQUIRY OPEN FOR SUBMISSIONS

The NSW State Government urges local property owners, business operators and community organisations affected by the 2019-20 bushfires to make a submission to the NSW Independent Bushfire Inquiry. The broad terms of reference for the inquiry include not only investigating the causes of the bushfires but also the State’s preparation and response to the disaster. 

The Premier has tasked Dave Owens APM, former Deputy Commissioner of NSW Police, and Professor Mary O’Kane AC, Independent Planning Commission Chair and former NSW Chief Scientist and Engineer with the six-month inquiry to deliver recommendations which will lead to better fire management practices.

Following the Bees Nest fire in September many landholders in the Ebor area raised concerns about the high fuel loads and perceived lack of fire hazard reduction in Guy Fawkes National Park which they believe led to the blaze getting out of control. Stories like this have been common on fire grounds across the state which is why it’s important everybody affected shares their personal experiences with the inquiry. While the inquiry is not holding public hearings, as part of the process the panel will visit bushfire affected communities.

Submissions close Friday, 27 March 2020 and can be made via:

Email: inquiries@bushfireinquiry.nsw.gov.au

Post: NSW Independent Bushfire Inquiry, GPO Box 5341, Sydney NSW 2001

Phone: Bushfire Customer Care Program 13 77 88

In-person: at any Service NSW service centre

For details regarding how to make submissions to the Inquiry, please visit  www.nsw.gov.au/improving-nsw/projects-and-initiatives/make-a-submission-to-the-bushfire-inquiry/

ILLEGAL USES OF WATER

The current drought conditions have emphasised to all residents the true value of water as a community resource. Glen Innes Severn Council wants to ensure that all residents are aware of the proper use of water. Therefore Council takes this opportunity to inform the community about illegal uses of water.

Council has not allowed anyone to take water from any creeks, nor does Council have the right to do so. The Natural Resources Access Regulator (NRAR) controls Water Access Licence’s (WAL’s) and Work Approvals for Councils.

Council has a concession to take water from creeks for road works, but has not exercised this right for some time due to the severity of the current drought.   

WaterNSW is the entity responsible for the issuing of WAL’s and approvals to private land holders. Anyone taking water from creeks without a WAL and a Work Approval issued by WaterNSW is taking water illegally and should be reported.

Properties bordering a creek can access water under a Stock and Domestic Licence but can only use the water within that specific property boundary. It is illegal to take water over the boundary of the property for use elsewhere.

Council recommends that residents check the Water NSW and NRAR websites for comprehensive information:

https://www.waternsw.com.au/customer-service/water-licensing

https://www.industry.nsw.gov.au/natural-resources-access-regulator

EMERGENCY BUSH FIRE INFORMATION

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

Fires Near Me NSW App

w.rfs.nsw.gov.au

facebook.com/nswrfs

twitter.com/nswrfs

Local radio, TV and news.

***20 Tonne Load Restriction for Bald Nob Road, Dundee***

Council resolved that a 20 tonne gross load limit be applied to the section of Bald Nob Road between Morven Road and the Gwydir Highway. This load limit has been set at a level that aims to minimise the negative impact on local landholders. Local operators can apply to Council for an exemption that will be assessed on a case by case basis. This route is of significant benefit to motorists, with the alternate option of remaining on the highway network requiring approximately 50 kilometres travel distance rather than 12 kilometres via Bald Nob Road. The road provides access to a small number of residences, and it is estimated that in excess of 90% of vehicle movements are of a regional rather than local nature. The route is gazetted for B-Double use and provides an important freight linkage between northern and eastern destinations.

Although Council fully supports the ongoing use of the road as a regional link, it finds itself in a position whereby local ratepayers are faced with prohibitive upgrade and ongoing costs that cannot be met. Council intends to continue pursuing funding to bring this road to an acceptable standard, and at the same time campaigning for it to be added to the regional road network, funded by the State Government.

Landowners and transport companies who access local properties via Bald Nob Road and require a load limit exemption are asked to contact Council’s Department of Infrastructure Services on 02 6730 2371.