BSC July 2011 final A4 - Bellingen Shire · Community Newsletter 1 July 2011 2011/12 - 2014/15...
Transcript of BSC July 2011 final A4 - Bellingen Shire · Community Newsletter 1 July 2011 2011/12 - 2014/15...
Community Newsletter
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July 2011
2011/12 - 2014/15 Management Plan
Council’s 2011/12-2014/15 Management Plan which was
adopted by Council in June 2011 includes an overview of the
main sustainability issues facing the Shire and our community.
It identifies key priorities for the next four years and key
highlights are as follows:
1) Capital investment in local infrastructure to the value of
$761 000 including:
Pavement rehab (stage 1) of Tyringham Road Dorrigo
Reconstruction of the Diehappy Bridge on Darkwood Road
Construction of retaining wall at Hunter Street Repton
Drainage improvement works for North Street Dorrigo
Alignment improvement works on Deer Vale Road
2) Capital works improvements for our water and sewerage
systems to the value of approximately $1 million including
replacement of meters, new mains and renewals in Dorrigo
and Bellingen and a replication of the Trunk Main in Urunga.
3) Further investment in the delivery of alternative waste
treatment infrastructure to minimise waste to landfill and
extend the useful life of our landfill assets.
4) Capital upgrade of Council’s principal works depot at
Raleigh.
5) Construction of the William Street Youth Centre.
6) An investment of $40,000 to Council’s Revolving Energy
Fund with $30,000 being funded from projected savings
from a recently tendered Street Lighting Contract. These
funds will be used to ensure that Council progresses
towards the objectives of the Bellingen Energy Reduction
Plan (BERP) and the target of 40% reduction.
7) $30,000 towards implementation of projects within
Council’s Pedestrian access Mobility Plan as well as
development of a new bike plan.
8) Upgrade of Dangar Falls pathway Stage One including
improvement works to the pathway from the top of the falls
to the lower viewing platform within the reserve and
ongoing Bush Regeneration.
9) Implementation of ‘Connect with your River’, a project
funded by Council and the NSW Environmental Trust to
establish eight best practice on ground riparian zone
rehabilitation projects.
10) Our Environmental Levy at work sees funding of $217 000
for projects recommended by the Environment Advisory
Committee, including $28,000 to assist community groups
to achieve environmental outcomes through the Community
Fund and $50,000 for the the Weeds Action Project.
11) Mapping of the inundation of the estuarine reaches of the
shire through modelling different sea level rise scenarios in
order that we can understand and adapt to the effects of our
changing climate.
Hammond Street Retaining Wall
12) Preliminary funding toward the introduction of a Roadside
Vegetation Management Plan.
13) Ongoing contributions toward the operation of the North
Beach and Urunga Life Saving Clubs as well as the SES and
the RFS.
14) Funding toward the commitment to the Clarence Regional
Library Resource sharing imitative incorporating a per
capita increase of 8% to fund ongoing operating costs and
additional book stock.
15) Donations to local organisations to the value of $46 000.
16) Memorandums of Understanding and financial contribution
to both Bellinger Landcare Inc and Bellingen Urban
Landcare.
17) An annual contribution of $5 000 towards the Y2A space as
well as funding annual electricity Charges.
Community Newsletter
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Bellingen Youth Development CentreTisdell Constructions have commenced work on the new
Bellingen Youth Development Centre located at 2 William
Street, Bellingen. The purpose of the facility is to provide a
visible and accessible facility that will act as a hub for our
young people.
The new facility projected to be
completed in early 2012 and
funded by DEEWR on Council
owned land will provide
community meeting rooms, office
accommodation, training rooms, a
music room, homework rooms, as
well as outdoor recreation areas
including a community vegetable
garden.
Sustainability features have been
incorporated into the design
including solar heating and power.
Concrete pour at the Youth Centre
The centre has been fully funded as part of the Federal
Government’s Arts, Business and Community Centre’s For
Young Australians Initiative, through the Jobs Fund program,
which is designed to maximise youth training opportunities in
the Bellingen Shire area.
Jarrett Park ImprovementsCouncil has completed improvements to Jarrett Park, which
were funded by the Federal Government under the
Commonwealth Regional and Local Community Infrastructure
Program. These works were undertaken using a local
indigenous work team contracted through Green Team
Australia and coordinated by Bellingen Shire Council.
The project involved the construction of the first stage of an all
weather dual use pathway system between Jarrett Park and
the western end of town with the ultimate aim of providing an
interconnected pedestrian and cycle path system, joining the
Eastern and Western ends of the Bellingen CBD, through the
parkland. In addition both a skate park and half basketball court
were constructed to encourage social interaction between all
levels of Bellingen’s younger and intermediate age groups.
Improvements to the parkland in this current program
include the removal of invasive species Palm Grass, Madeira
Vine, Balloon Vine and English Ivy and the replanting of the
slope above the skate park with a range of local species; as
well as installation of new park furniture and planting of
shade trees.
RLCIP StreetscapesThe CBD streetscape upgrade is a staged project that seeks to
enhance the central business districts of Bellingen, Dorrigo
and Urunga including main streets, facilities and public
recreational areas. These works were funded by the Federal
Government under the Commonwealth Regional and Local
Community Infrastructure Program (RLCIP).
Council’s objective is to upgrade our town centres
aesthetically and functionally, ensure that pedestrian safety
and comfort is maximised, contribute to the stimulation of
our local economy, improve the visual impact of our town
centres and enhance the tourism potential.
These projects
form part of the
existing towns
master plans,
which included
public
consultation, as
an essential
element. New seating in Church Street Bellingen
These investments in our local infrastructure seek to deliver
on the key objectives for the projects by increasing the
capacity for outdoor dining, increasing car parking
opportunities, beautifying our centres through the provision
of naturally landscaped features, improving pedestrian
access and developing public amenities.
Raleigh Works Depot UpgradeWork at the Raleigh Works Depot commenced in May 2011
and Stage 1 of the construction program is progressing well
considering recent inclement weather. The site has been
cleared of timber, which will be recycled.
The works aim to ensure compliance with OH&S
requirements and current environmental and building
standards. The upgrade will include facilities which can
support Council’s Disaster Management role, in times of
severe weather events or natural disasters.
New material storage bins have been constructed, temporary
accommodation for staff established and the new stores
building has commenced. Meanwhile some internal earth
banks have been constructed, stormwater lines laid and
electrical cabling installed. Disposal of wastewater is being
addressed by the construction of new Effluent Disposal
facilities south of the current compound. Works should be
complete by mid 2012.
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Snippets
WORLD RALLY
The Australian leg of the World Rally
will be held on the Coffs Coast between
8 and 11 September 2011.
Bellingen Shire will be hosting three
stages, on Saturday with between 70 to
90 drivers and crews competing from
Megan in the north and Martells Road
in the south.
The rally is expected to attract an
audience from both Australia and
overseas and deliver economic and
tourism benefit to the Shire and the
Coffs Coast.
For more information visit the Rally
Australia website at
www.rallyaustralia.com
2011/12 Capital WorksCouncil is investing in a broad range of community infrastructure with programs
for 2011/12 including the following:
$10M - Reconstruction of Bowraville Road (Northern section)
$5M - Repair/reinstatement of various flood damaged slip areas
$5M - Construction of sewerage treatment plant at Dorrigo
$4.5M - Reconstruction of Council’s Raleigh Works Depot
$2M - Construction of William Street youth centre facility
$1.5M - Bridge reconstruction (Peakes Bridge and Deep Creek Bridge)
$1.5 M - Redevelopment of Bellingen water supply (Increase capacity)
$0.5M - Cycleway construction works (Bellingen and Urunga)
RIVER HEALTH CARD
Council is delighted to provide its
residents with the first EcoHealth
Report Card for the Bellinger and
Kalang Rivers. Ecohealth is an aquatic
ecosystem monitoring program that
measures how healthy our rivers and
estuaries are for the plants and animals
that live in them. Overall, the scores
and grades on the report card are
considered to be very positive, showing
that the Bellinger and Kalang Rivers are
resilient and healthy river systems in
relation to their aquatic ecosystem
health.
The card provides a baseline from
which we can measure improvements
associated with riverbank vegetation
(including weeds), addressing erosion
and water quality.
The card was produced in accordance
with Council’s Estuary Management
Plan and will be replicated across the
North Coast so River Systems may be
compared. Council welcomes your
feedback on the card which is enclosed
with the Rates Notice.
WEEDS SCHEDULE
Council’s Weeds Control Program for
2011/12 is in full swing with the
roadside spraying of Fireweed currently
being undertaken throughout the
Dorrigo plateau. Ground and aerial
inspections have been carried out to
determine the distribution and density
of Fireweed throughout the shire.
The focus will then be on Class 3
Noxious Weeds including Grounsel Bush
and Kudzu.
RIVER MANAGEMENT PROGRAM
Council has undertaken an Estuary
Action planning project where 53 site
plans have been developed for riparian
zone management on properties
between Bellingen and the Pacific
Highway. These plans have been
developed in consultation with local
landholders with the intention of
assisting them to establish and
prioritise a set of goals for protecting
and rehabilitating their riparian zone.
Council has received $100,000 (over 3
years) from the NSW Environmental
Trust‘s Rehabilitation & Restoration
program to begin on ground works and
this will be complimented by a further
$200,000 from the Our Living Coast
program as well as contributions of
more than $150 000 from our Council.
On ground works have commenced in
Bellingen and Mylestom Drive and
works will begin in earnest from
August onward. Council has applied to
the Regional Development Australia
Fund to install around 7km of rock
structures over a 60Km stretch to
combat erosion and $2.7 million has
been sought to deliver this project.
2012 Bellingen Shire Creative Arts ScholarshipThe Bellingen Shire Creative Arts Scholarship provides $2,500 per year for 3 years
and will be awarded to a person living in the Bellingen Shire at the time of
application with preference given to recent school leavers (from the past three
years).
The scholarship is open to high school leavers or mature age students commencing
full-time studies in a Bachelor of Visual Arts or Bachelor of Contemporary Music
degree at Southern Cross University in 2012. The scholarship will be offered to a
student who has a demonstrated commitment to career development in art or
music and demonstrated talent in their chosen art form.
Current Year 12 Students Application Process:
Information will be distributed to Bellingen and Dorrigo High Schools in July
regarding the STAR Entry Scheme and Scholarships.
Lodge an online registration for the SCU STAR Entry Scheme via
www.scu.edu.au/star by 24th August 2011
Complete an online Scholarship application via www.scu.edu.au/scholarships
(click on Commencing Students) by 24th August
Non Year 12 Application Process:
Lodge and online application for SCU scholarships by 24 August 2011 as above.
Successful applicants will be notified in November 2011.
Contact Scholarships Office, Student Services, Southern Cross University
Tel: 02 66 203313 email: [email protected]
Council ServicesCouncil provides a range of day to day services for our local
community which include:
Libraries, community centres and halls
Active and passive recreation facilities such as swimming
pools, sporting fields and parks and reserves
Infrastructure such as roads, bridges, boat ramps, skate
parks, public toilets and picnic areas
Environmental and public health services
Waste management and recycling
Companion animals management
Planning and development services
For further information visit www.bellingen.nsw.gov.au or call
02 6655 7300.
Councillors
CR MARK TROY (MAYOR)Phone 6655 1901, Fax 6655 [email protected]
CR KERRY CHILD (DEPUTY MAYOR)Phone 6655 1867, Fax 6655 [email protected]
CR GORDON BRAITHWAITEPhone 6655 1257, Fax 6655 [email protected]
CR BRUCE CRONINPhone 6655 1181, Fax 6655 [email protected]
CR IAN COEPhone 9037 [email protected]
CR DAVID SCOTTPhone 6657 4102, Fax 6657 [email protected]
CR SEAN TUOHYPhone 6655 [email protected]
Community Newsletter
CONTACT COUNCILP: 6655 7300
F:6655 2310
AFTER HOURS EMERGENCIES
6692 2900
COUNCIL RANGER
0428 653501
POSTAL ADDRESS
PO Box 117, Bellingen 2454
STREET ADDRESS
WEBSITE
www.bellingen.nsw.gov.au
OTHER CONTACTSEMERGENCY (FIRE/AMBUL/POLICE)
000
RURAL FIRE SERVICE
6655 7001
SES
132 500
BELLINGEN HEALTH CAMPUS
6659 5800
DORRIGO HEALTH CAMPUS
6657 2066
COFFS COAST WASTE SERVICE
1800 265495
AARVBEE BELLINGEN VALLEY
RECYCLERS
6655 3777