Community Newsletter

NEWSBELLINGEN SHIRE

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Newry Island SewerAfter a long and difficult process for both residents and Councilthe first of the 41 properties were connected to the sewerscheme in September, over five years after the initial problemoccurred.

The process began in July 2008 with the closure of the KalangRiver to commercial oyster harvesting due to a gastroenteritisoutbreak. The source of the outbreak was traced to theconsumption of Kalang River oysters, contaminated withNorovirus, a virus which is discharged from the intestines ofhumans.

As part of the response process coordinated by the NSWGovernment, large lot residential properties with onsitesewerage management systems on Newry Island wereidentified as a high risk source of contamination for the KalangRiver. In July 2011 after considerable investigation anddiscussion with residents Council resolved to extend the seweron Newry Island to service 41 properties with Low PressureSewerage Pump Stations.

Council tendered the works and installation of the pumpstations and associated work commenced in November 2012.

In early 2013 Council received enquiries from a number ofGovernment agencies based upon complaints they had received.Given the nature and seriousness of the allegations, anindependent organisation was engaged to undertake a review.

In June 2013 Council received the final report of theindependent reviewer, SINC Solutions, which found that“Whilst a number of findings in this report reflect pooradministration by Bellingen Shire Council, there is no evidenceof corrupt conduct in the matters raised by the complaint withthe NSW Ombudsman & the Information and PrivacyCommission.”

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Contractor Matthew Chambers & Stephen Taylor, Council’s Deputy GeneralManager Operations inspect the Low Pressure Mono Sewer Pump Stations

October 2013

Our Commitment to YouFor the past 2½ years Council has embarked on a process ofmajor organisational reforms which have aimed at improvingour service to you.

This has involved a major structural review, reform of a seriesof processes and programs, embarking on a process of servicereviews and most recently the adoption of a Customer ServiceCharter and establishment of an Internal Audit Committee.

Our Service Review Process has looked in detail at a numberof areas of Council services including pools, weeds, roads andbridges.

Each of these reviews aims to critically evaluate the serviceswe provide in terms of standards of service and value formoney and we are seeing outcomes already (see separatestories on Bridge Infrastructure Review and Bellingen ShireSwim Centre).

Further reviews are planned and will be progressively reportedto Council as well as updates to you, via our quarterlynewsletter.

Our Customer Service Charter was adopted by Council inSeptember and sets out:

· our commitment to customer service

· service standards you can expect

· our processes

· difficult situations and how complaints will be dealt with

· how we will monitor, measure, report and continue toimprove

Our reform initiatives are all about improving our service toyou. They are based on contemporary organisational principlesbut more importantly on what you told us in 2012 in responseto our customer and planning surveys.

Change is always a challenging process and our staff are “onthe bus”.

Now we are seeking your involvement through feedback,patience, embracing change and importantly becominginvolved in the various processes, programs and services wherewe ask for your involvement and input.

To help with this Councillors and staff will embark shortly ona process that identifies the best ways to engage with you.

We’ll keep you posted…

Community Newsletter

In view of the findings of the report Council resolved tocomplete the extension of the sewerage scheme and to provideresidents the option of engaging their own contractors tocomplete the works.

At the end of September, 38 of the 41 property owners havecommitted to connection to the sewerage scheme. Fourproperties are now fully connected to the scheme, and the nextfew weeks should see that number rise significantly as the finalwork is completed on the properties.

Once the risk of contamination of the Kalang River is reducedthe NSW Food Authority will be able to commence retesting ofthe Kalang River for the presence of Norovirus. Clear testresults will ultimately allow the Kalang River to be reopenedfor oyster harvesting.

Bridge Infrastructure ReviewAs part of Council’s overall management of Shire assets a majorreview of processes and programs relating to roads and bridgeshas been conducted. These reviews seek to improve ourefficiency and effectiveness and will be presented to Councilin the near future.

Within this context infrastructure renewal and communitypriorities are currently being actively addressed. This processinvolves not only the bridge assessment program, outlinedbelow but a review of our roads, programs and priorities.

A key component of this body of work has involved acomprehensive program of bridge inspections. Council hasrecently inspected 45 bridges across our Shire that wereconsidered a priority and identified 13 that are in need of majorrepair work.

As a consequence the program has been prioritised and workshave already been undertaken on three of these bridges withan additional two programmed for repairs by the end of October.

Council is now working through the process of further definingthe works and funding options for the remaining eight bridgesfrom the initial inspection program.

Temporary load restrictions will need to be applied untilrequired repairs can be undertaken in order to ensure thesafety of bridge users.

Additionally, these limits are necessary to prolong the longevityof existing structures while still enabling reasonable usage andensuring access for residents and motorists. Whereverpossible, Council has taken into consideration local transportneeds including the school bus.

The bridges that require temporary loads restrictions include:

· Browns Bridge – Valery Road· McFadyens Bridge – Gordonville Road· Tallowood Point Bridge – Promised Land Road· Joyces Bridge – Darkwood Road· Reids Creek Bridge – Kalang Road· Cooks Creek Bridge– Kalang Road· Newry Island Bridge- Newry Island Drive· Rocky Creek Bridge – Old Coramba (North) Road

For further details please contact Council’s Operations Divisionon 02 6655 7347. Alternatively up to date information can befound on Council’s website at www.bellingen.nsw.gov.au.

Bellingen Shire Swim CentreThe local community are set to benefit from a new partnershipwith leading leisure management provider, the YMCA whichhas been appointed to manage the Bellingen Shire Swim Centrefor the next 12 months.

The overwhelming response to the survey conducted as partof the Bellingen Swim Centre Service Review in late 2012 hasenabled Council to gain a greater understanding of communityexpectations as to the running of this facility.

The Centre opened for the recent school holidays andimprovements will be made progressively throughout theseason. An Official Open Day is scheduled early in Novemberwhere the community will have a chance to meet withmembers of the YMCA team and learn about the programs onoffer.

For further details visit www.bellingen.nsw.gov.au or phonethe Swim Centre on 02 6655 1688.

Weed Blitzing Project at Ringwood CreekNorth Bellingen residents will have noticed environmentalrehabilitation work currently underway at Ringwood Creek,parallel to Tamarind Drive. The project includes the removalof the aquatic noxious weed, Salvinia from the creek.

A local bush regeneration contractor will also control vine andwoody weeds along the creek bank and strategically plant localnative plants to improve the health and biodiversity of thecreek and adjoining park area.

All work is being carried out in a manner that will protect thehabitat of koalas and endangered Giant Barred Frogs known toinhabit the area. Trees selected for planting will includespecies preferred by koalas. The planting regime will also takeinto consideration the park land, open space and creek access.

This project is part of Council’s Jaliigirr project funded by theAustralian Government Biodiversity Fund administered by theNorthern Rivers Catchment Management Authority.

Salvinia Infestation Salvinia Trailing Roots

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SnippetsBellingen Chamber of

Commerce wins AwardCouncil congratulates the BellingenChamber of Commerce & Industry Inc.for winning the category of Best LocalChamber of Commerce at the Mid NorthCoast Business Awards held at PortMacquarie recently.

Council also offers congratulations toKombu Wholefoods who were finalists inthe Excellence in Business Ethics andExcellence in Sustainability categoriesas well as Cargo Lane who were finalistsin the Excellence in Small Businesssection.

We wish the Bellingen Chamber ofCommerce well at the next step in theirendeavours at the State Awards inSydney in late November.

A feast of Music & the Arts

Spring was in the air with the opening ofthe Bellingen Music Festival as a greatcommunity event and a curtain raiser forthe first ever Arts Week throughoutBellingen Shire.

The volunteer members of Council’s Artsand Cultural Committee worked hard tobring a diverse range of musical andartistic talent and opportunities toBellingen and beyond.

The inaugural Arts Week had events,exhibitions and more than 40 workshopsover 8 days with a variety of offerings tosuit many interests including Paddle witha Poet, food and films, Kalang Centenary,painting, jewellery and photographicexhibitions.

Council sincerely thanks the volunteersof the Arts and Cultural Committee on afantastic program which was supportedby a myriad of local businesses.

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Community Funds Investing in the Bellingen ShireCongratulations to eleven organisations who were successful in the first round ofthe Community Support Fund and Community Event Sponsorship Fund.Council is a major supporter of community organisations within the Shirecontributing to many not-for-profit organisations for programs, projects andevents.

The first round will see community groups benefiting by a boost of almost $30,000.Mayor Mark Troy said “Many organisations rely on external funding and BellingenCouncil is pleased to be able to support those organisations that contribute to ourlocal community”.

The successful Round One organisations include:

� Local Made for the Rise-up Music Festival� Arts Council of Dorrigo for the Dorrigo Folk & Blue Grass Festival� Kalang Progress Association for Celebrating Kalang Event� Bellingen River Festival Inc. for the Bellingen River Festival� Urunga Sail Training Club for Instructor Training� Australian Red Cross for Fund Raising Activities� Dorrigo Youth Clinic for the Centre beautification project� Dorrigo Plateau Community Inc. for the Community Directory� Dorrigo Visual Arts Group for Dorrigo Agriculture Show – Fine Arts Display� Bellingen Big Band for Practice and Performance activities

In announcing the funding the Mayor, on behalf of Council, took the opportunity tothank these organisations for the work they do and the contribution they make toour community. Round 2 of the Community Event Sponsorship Fund and theCommunity Support Fund close at the end of October and will see a furtherinvestment in community programs of around $20,000”.

Contact Council’s Grants & Business Development Officer, Stacey Bayliss on 66557300 or visit www.bellingen.nsw.gov.au for further information.

World Rally Championships

Bellingen Shire hosted a very successfulstage of this year’s World WRC Round inearly September. The Rally ran 3 stagesin the Shire, one at Tuckers Knob StateForest and two stages in Newry StateForest, off Martells Road.

Bellingen was fortunate to host the pitstop at Bellingen Park which gave localresidents a chance to get up close withthe cars as they came in to collect waterand do minor repairs.

We look forward to hosting the Rallyback in Bellingen in 2014.

Mayor Mark Troy with K. Al-Qassimi andS. Martin during the pit stop.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .SEGRA Conference

Council was pleased to be a corporatesponsor and partner of the SustainableEconomic Growth for Regional Australia(SEGRA) Conference held in CoffsHarbour in mid October.

The conference was an opportunity tohear from national and internationalspeakers on issues impacting regionaldevelopment.

Two local Bellingen businesses, Oz Greenand Bellingen Masonic Village wereactive participants. RFBI BellingenMasonic Village presented a case studyfor Environmental Sustainability in AgedCare and the CEO for Oz Green spokeabout creating a game changingsustainability initiative after relocatingto regional Australia.

Both organisations did us proud givinginformative presentations that werewell received by the gathered delegates.

Technology Upgrades for Bellingen Shire LibrariesNew technology is being installed in the very near future and aspart of this upgrade, all library stock needs to be tagged so thenew technology can read the items faster and to enableBellingen Library to introduce the option of Do It Yourself (DIY)loans for our community members.

These DIY loans will provide additional privacy to borrowing andwill free staff to be able to spend more time assisting borrowerswith requests for information or suggestions for reading.

The tagging process will mean that staff will be working acrossthe libraries over the next few months to tag every book, DVD,talking book and magazine.  Mayor Mark Troy says, “This is an exciting time withinour libraries, while some initial disruption may occur, a better service will be theend result.”

Environmental Levy Community FundThe Bellingen Shire Environment & Sustainability Advisory Committee met in midOctober to review applications from community groups for funding from the BellingenShire Environmental Levy.

Council’s Sustainability Officer ran workshops and information sessions in Bellingen,Urunga and Dorrigo to assist the development of project ideas and clarify theapplication process.

Council received excellent range of applications from across the shire for projectsinvolving, for example, on ground bush regeneration works; sustainability andbiodiversity education programs; and waste minimisation.

The high standard of applications is testimony to the inspiration, energy andenthusiasm within our community for the protection and improvement of theenvironment. The successful applicants will be announced soon.

For further details please contact Council’s Sustainability Officer Sandy Eager on 026655 7300.

Australia Day Nominations closing soonPlanning for the Bellingen Shire 2014 Australia Day Celebration and Award Ceremonyis well underway with events to be held in Maam Gaduying Park and the BellingenMemorial Hall. The day’s activities will commence at 8.00am with a sausage sizzlebreakfast and entertainment.

Mayor Mark Troy said "Australia Day provides anopportunity for all of us to celebrate our wonderfulcountry and recognise and thank those specialcommunity members who give so much to our localcommunities as well as recognising sporting and otheroutstanding community and creative achievements.

I encourage everyone to give some thought to an individual, team or communityorganisation that they believe should receive recognition for their voluntary workand achievements."

Further details and nomination forms are available at www.bellingen.nsw.gov.au,Branch Libraries or Council’s Administration Centre.

Nominations are open until Friday 15 November 2013 in 9 categories.

CouncillorsCR MARK TROY (MAYOR)Phone 6655 7315mayor@bellingen.nsw.gov.au

CR DAVID SCOTTPhone 0499 984 161cr.david.scott@bellingen.nsw.gov.au

CR GARRY CARTERPhone 0499 984 163cr.garry.carter@bellingen.nsw.gov.au

CR DESMAE HARRISONPhone 0499 984 166cr.desmae.harrison@bellingen.nsw.gov.au

CR DOMINIC KINGPhone 0499 984 164cr.dominic.king@bellingen.nsw.gov.au

CR STEVE KLIPINPhone 0499 984 165cr.steve.klipin@bellingen.nsw.gov.au

CR GORDON MANNING (DEPUTY MAYOR)Phone 0499 984 162cr.gordon.manning@bellingen.nsw.gov.au

CONTACT COUNCILPhone: 6655 7300Fax: 02 6655 2310AFTER HOURS EMERGENCIES02 6692 2900COUNCIL RANGER0428 653501POSTAL ADDRESSPO Box 117, Bellingen 2454STREET ADDRESS33-39 Hyde Street BellingenEMAILcouncil@bellingen.nsw.gov.auWEBSITEwww.bellingen.nsw.gov.au

OTHER CONTACTSEMERGENCY(FIRE/AMBUL/POLICE) 000RURAL FIRE SERVICE6655 7001SES132 500BELLINGEN HEALTH CAMPUS6659 5800DORRIGO HEALTH CAMPUS6692 7700COFFS COAST WASTE SERVICE1800 265495RALEIGH RESOURCES WASTE HUB6655 3777

Community Newsletter