Glen Innes Severn Council

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/

LEVEL FOUR (4) WATER RESTRICTIONS TO CONTINUE AT DEEPWATER

Level Four (4) Water Restrions now apply only to Deepwater.

Kindly note that Glen Innes remains on Level Five (5) Water Restrictions effective from 1st January 2020.

For more information: 

https://www.gisc.nsw.gov.au/infrastructure/water-services

LEVEL 5 WATER RESTRICTIONS APPLY FROM Wednesday, 1 January 2020

Council advises that due to ongoing drought conditions, effective from Wednesday, 1 January 2020 Glen Innes will be placed on LEVEL Five (5) water restrictions.

This includes the use of town water from the Glen Innes water supply system such as water carted to rural properties and villages.

Under Level Five (5) water restrictions the following applies:

1. No watering of domestic gardens;
2. No filling or topping up of swimming pools;
3. No washing of paved areas and roofs except as required by law;
4. No fountains;
5. No washing motor vehicles except as required by law;
6. Household water cartage only from town water supply has been granted a general licence by resolution of Council
7. Cartage for livestock water is now prohibited from the town supplies.
8. Other commercial usage is by negotiation and licence. Council will be ensuring that businesses are supported in their continuing operations as a priority through sourcing alternate supplies where possible, and granting licences in other cases, while managing the security of the town supply.
9. Registered water carters can access water for livestock from waterways during the drought.

Council encourages residents to refer to the comprehensive information about water restrictions available on Council’s website at: https://www.gisc.nsw.gov.au/glen-innes-severn-drought-management-plan

Council also 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.

WHAT IS "GREY WATER" AND HOW CAN IT BE USED DURING LEVEL FIVE (5) RESTRICTIONS?
Grey water that can be used for your garden is REUSED WATER ONLY for example, reused water captured in buckets. Any one using a bucket of town water on their garden during the current restrictions is in breach of them.

LEVEL FIVE (5) WATER RESTRICTIONS

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.