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N E W S L E T T E RJ U LY 2013

Significant Investment Required To Remediate Land Slips Significant rainfall events across the Shire cause land slippage. Council recently completed three major land slip repairs on Riverside Drive, Nambucca Heads, at a cost of $1.1M.

Further landslip repairs were undertaken in rural areas, including a significant landslip on Boat Harbour Road, using contractors and Council day labour staff.

The landslip on Boat Harbour Road started as a hairline crack in the road pavement and a day later half of the road pavement was located in the gully below. The cost to repair was $900,000.

Infrastructure Investment For The ShireThe proposed 2013/2014 capital works program totals $31.8M. Some of the major items in the works program include:• Off-Stream Water Storage - $24.0M• Roads/Streets Rehabilitation/Resealing - $2.5M• Bridge Construction - $1.5M• Sewerage Works South Macksville - $0.75M• Stormwater/K&G Reconstruction/Augmentation - $2M

Largest Ever Civil Infrastructure Project On The GoThe investment in the Bowraville Off River Storage Project totals $54M and the project is aimed at providing drought security for the Nambucca District Water Supply System. The water supply storage will also cater for population growth, future development and to allow environmental flows to be maintained in the Nambucca River during periods of low flow.

Council resolved to proceed with the construction of the dam following the completion of preconstruction activities which included community liaison, bore field investigation, completion of an Environmental Impact Statement and concept and detailed designs.

Two contracts have been awarded for the construction works. Package A is for construction of the dam proper including embankment, inlet/outlet tower and pipe, spillway, valve house and access road. Package B is for the transfer pipeline, pump station and valve cluster, raw water collection tank and two additional bores.

Package A works are being undertaken by Haslin Constructions Pty Ltd and are currently scheduled for completion in February 2014.

Package B works are being undertaken by Ledonne Constructions Pty Ltd and are currently scheduled for completion in September 2013. 

Funding assistance has been provided by the State and Federal Governments in the amount of $14.8M and $10M respectively.

N A M B U C C A V A L L E Y - L I V I N G A T I T S B E S T

A landslip in Riverside Drive - Before and After photos

Boat Harbour Road February 2012

The dam under construction Bobo Road Bowraville

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Swimming Pool Legislation Amended To Address Non-Compliance ConcernsDrowning is one of the major causes of death for NSW children under the age of five. Each year on average 10 children under five drown in backyard swimming pools and many more suffer brain damage and other serious injuries associated with near-drowning experiences.

Amendments to the NSW Swimming Pool Act 1992 now require the owners of backyard pools to self-register their pool, free of charge, on a statewide online register. A summary of the legislative changes are:

1. All pool owners are required to register their pools by 29 October 2013. If pool owners require assistance in completing the registration they can do so at the Council offices for a fee of $10 (applicable after 1 July 2013)

2. NSW Local Government Councils are required to develop and implement an affordable swimming pool inspection program, in consultation with the community from 29 October 2013.

3. All tourist/visitor accommodation sites and multi-occupancy dwellings with a swimming pool require a Certificate of Compliance from 29 April 2014. Swimming pool owners are required to provide a valid Certificate of Compliance prior to selling or leasing their property from 29 April 2014.

4. Certificates of Compliance can be obtained from Council (fees apply) or Private Certifiers and will be valid for three (3) years. Note that the Registration Certificate generated by the online registration process IS NOT a Certificate of Compliance.

The new statewide NSW Swimming Pools Register can be accessed online at: www.swimmingpoolregister.nsw.gov.au

Apply For Your Water Saving Rebate Council is offering financial assistance to residents who install a rainwater tank during the 2013/2014 financial year. The Water Wise product rebates will only apply for tanks with a size of 1000 litres or greater and tanks installed with additional capacity to the BASICS requirements for new houses.

Further details on the Rainwater Tank Rebate Scheme Policy are available on Council’s website at Enquiry Counter/Policies/ Rainwater Tank Rebate Scheme. Applications can be obtained from Council’s Administration Centre or from Council’s website at Council Forms/Rebate Applications.

For further information contact Council’s Technical Officer Water and Sewerage Jason O’Donnell (02) 6568 0236

New Rural Waste Collection Service To Be DeliveredRural residents located within the Upper Taylors Arm, Burrapine, Buckra Bendinni, Argents Hill, South Arm and Misabotti areas that currently do not receive a Kerbside or Household Bulky Waste Collection will benefit from the introduction of the new service in 2013/2014.

Council in partnership with Coffs Coast Waste Services will provide a free DROP-OFF collection service, at various locations, for residents within the above areas. Information including dates, times, locations of drop off points and guidelines about what materials can and cannot be accepted will be provided to residents by mail. A Voucher System will also operate when dropping off bulky waste items at the drop-off points. Details on this system will also be included in the mail-out.

Council Takes Steps To Improve Pedestrian Access Did you know that Council is responsible for the maintenance of 38km of paved footpaths within the urban residential areas of the Shire?

Footpath defects are brought to Council’s attention through inspections and direct requests from the general public. Having regard to available funding, Council undertakes an inspection of the footpath network to identify and rate any hazards in order to prioritise the works and eliminateany hazardous situation.

A grinding technique is used to remove the trip hazards between joins in the footpath

Recognise this space?

Council has commenced preparing streetscape plans for the Macksville CBD. The concepts being prepared illustrate how the vibrancy, health and liveability of the town centre can be improved, and seek to build on the Town Centre as a ‘destination’. The plans are being prepared with a focus on opportunities that may be created once the Pacific Highway bypass is complete.

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Pacific Highway Upgrade – New Road Bridge Over Nambucca River, Macksville Roads and Maritime Services (RMS) has recently informed Council that it is not economically viable to redesign the new road bridge in response to Council representations seeking an increase in the span of the main channel piers.

The design provides for a 35 metre span with an 11 metre clearance. Council had requested the RMS redesign the bridge to provide 62 metres between the main channel piers for water skiing and to ensure the deck height allowed yachts to pass underneath at high tide.

RMS estimates that the additional cost of providing a bridge with a single span of 62 metres between the main channel piers would be between $25M and $35M.

Residents Provided With Opportunity To ‘Have Your Say’ A Resident Satisfaction Survey designed to seek community views on the services the Council provides, level of customer satisfaction and community attitudes towards 4WD vehicles on beaches was undertaken in June.

The telephone survey, carried out by Jetty Research, an independent research firm, randomly surveyed 400 adult householders and covered a wide age and geographic range. The survey asked residents which services and facilities they valued and how satisfied they were with the levels of service Council is currently delivering.

Beaches in the Nambucca Shire are popular among off-road enthusiasts and recreational users with 4WD vehicles being used to gain access to specific beach locations. The survey therefore sought community views on the level of 4WD vehicular access and compliance monitoring by the Council.

The survey results will play a key role in the setting of Council’s future strategic direction, reshaping its services, deciding funding priorities and reviewing consultation strategies. The survey will also add to the bank of data, which has been built up from previous community satisfaction surveys conducted in 2010 and 2007.

A report based on the findings from the survey will be presented to Council prior to the end of July. The findings from the community survey will then be shared with our community by posting the survey results on Council’s website.

‘Do Your Bit’ CampaignCouncil has launched a public education program to encourage conservation of resources and the correct disposal of waste. Keep a look out for the stickers and posters!

Locals Living A Healthier LifestyleA year down the track, hundreds of Nambucca Shire residents have engaged in healthy lifestyle activities through the Healthy Living Nambucca project. From all accounts this has brought about great individual achievements - weight loss, increase in energy, strength and flexibility, alongside a knowledge and motivation to cook and to eat healthier food and grow herbs and vegies.

The wide range of programs provide something for everyone and include Mums and Bubs Yoga, Pilates, Bowraville Bootcamp, Living Stronger for Longer, Healthy Cooking Classes, Community Garden workshops, PrYme Active circuit and Move It. The renowned National Heartmoves and Beat It programs are now also accessible locally and the Heart Foundation Wednesday Walkers in Nambucca Heads and Macksville Movers are on the go. All of these and more, have been offered at low or no cost to those who are unemployed, part time and casual workers, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community members, seniors, and the wider community.

Over 63% of Australians are overweight or obese according to the 2011-2012 health survey. Whilst maintaining a healthy weight might seem obvious and easy to some, most of us find it a challenge for a myriad of reasons but we need to keep at it and find some fun in it. The Healthy Living Nambucca project funded by the Australian Government under the Healthy Communities Initiative provides a great opportunity and a range of options for those who haven’t exercised for a while to give it a go, and others to maintain their commitment. Furthermore, the project will see the installation of outdoor exercise stations that community members will have access to, free of charge.

Healthy Living Nambucca will continue throughout the year, so if you want to start exercising, lose weight, get fitter, cook and eat healthier food, or maintain your health, there is still time to get involved.

For detailed program information, visit Council’s website or contact the Healthy Communities Coordinator:

Ms Naj Hadzic on (02) 6568 0255.

(Bennell & Associates; Jackie Amos Landscape Architects 2013)

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C O U N C I L L O R S

C r R H O N D A H O B A N ( M a y o r )

T 6 5 6 9 5 5 5 6M 0 4 0 8 6 6 1 4 1 2m a y o r @ n a m b u c c a . n s w . g o v . a u

C r J O H N A I N S W O R T H ( D e p u t y M a y o r )

T 6 5 6 8 1 5 0 2j o h n . a i n s w o r t h @ n a m b u c c a . n s w . g o v . a u

C r M A R T I N B A L L A N G A R R Y

T 6 5 6 4 7 3 9 6M 0 4 3 7 2 9 3 6 7 4m a r t i n . b a l l a n g a r r y @ n a m b u c c a . n s w . g o v . a u

C r B R I A N F I N L A Y S O N

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C r P A U L A F L A C K

T 6 5 6 4 4 0 5 8M 0 4 2 8 6 4 4 0 5 8p a u l a . f l a c k @ n a m b u c c a . n s w . g o v . a u

C r K I M M A C D O N A L DT 6 5 6 8 2 6 9 5M 0 4 1 8 4 5 5 7 2 0k i m . m a c d o n a l d @ n a m b u c c a . n s w . g o v . a u

C r B O B M O R R I S O N

M 0 4 1 9 4 2 8 5 2 2b o b . m o r r i s o n @ n a m b u c c a . n s w . g o v . a u

C r A N N E S M Y T H

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C r E L A I N E S O U T H

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C O N T A C T C O U N C I L

Phone 0 2 6 5 6 8 2 5 5 5After Hours Emergencies 0 4 1 7 4 8 8 5 6 5 R o a d s & B r i d g e s 0 4 1 7 2 8 7 3 9 7 S e w e r a g e 0 4 1 7 2 8 5 2 6 9 W a t e rCompanion Animals 0 4 0 8 2 5 6 8 1 9Postal Address P O B o x 1 7 7 M a c k s v i l l e N S W 2 4 4 7Street Address 4 4 P r i n c e s s S t r e e t M a c k s v i l l e Email c o u n c i l @ n a m b u c c a . n s w . g o v . a uWebsite w w w . n a m b u c c a . n s w . g o v . a u

O T H E R C O N T A C T S

Emergency - Fire/Ambulance/Police 0 0 0SES 1 3 2 5 0 0Coffs Coast Waste Service 1 8 0 0 2 6 5 4 9 5

Safety Alert! Road Safety Remindersv Pedestrian Refuge IslandsPedestrian refuge islands are not pedestrian crossings. They are installed on busy or wide roads to help pedestrians cross in two stages.

By crossing in stages, you only have to concentrate on traffic from one direction at a time.

Because refuge islands are generally not part of a marked crossing, be careful and wait for a break in the traffic.

No Parking Rule wYou must not stop for more than two minutes in a No Parking area. You must remain in or within three metres of the vehicle.

Hours of operations may apply to some signs. This means restrictions apply for those times only.

Access the RMS website for more information:

www.rms.nsw.gov.au

Free Apps To Find Information Quickly Carpool Mid North Coast has launched a free app for smartphones to give quick, easy and on-the-move access to its website at:

www.carpoolingmnc.org

The app is available in iPhone via the iTunes App Store and for Android via Google Play. The website helps match members with people taking the same journey, whether regularly or occasionally, by sharing a vehicle which cuts environmental and travel costs.

Residents who receive a wheely-bin service from Coffs Coast Waste Services can now easily use the MyBin app to find out when your garbage, recyclables and organics bins are next due for collection. You can also get the date of your next biannual Bulky Goods Collection.

Simply input your street address and press submit, or you can even use the “Current Location” feature to save time.

Download the free app at:

www.handybinwaste.com.au

or via the iTunes App Store and for Android via Google Play.

Local Road Information At Your Fingertips - MyRoadInfoThe website provides motorists with ready, reliable access to roads information, especially in times of flood and other emergency events:

www.myroadinfo.com.au

m.myroadroadinfo.com.au – for mobile

Welcome to Our Living Coast.The OLC website has information and resources for sustainable living in our region:

www.ourliving coast.com.au