Susanna Freymark
Questions on Notice are questions councillors ask council staff before the monthly council meeting. Councillors say the questions are from residents and a response is provided in the agenda of the meeting.
Here are some of the questions and answers from the June 11 Kyogle Council meeting – the full list of Questions on Notice can be read in the council agenda here.
These questions were asked by councillors Brett McNamara, Rob Cullen and Tom Cooper.
Where do Sextonville, Dyraaba, Collins Creek and Green Pigeon roads fit on the Works Program for grading maintenance?
The council is waiting on flood damage approval for Dyraaba Road, but it is expected to commence in early June. Sextonville Road will follow immediately after. Another crew is starting the Green Pigeon catchment in early June, then we will be starting with Horseshoe Creek Road and working across towards Collins Creek (weather dependent). This catchment can take 2-3 months to work through.
With respect to the look and feel of the main street, please provide an update as to the procurement and installation of new festoon streetlighting?
Scope of works is being prepared for replacement of festoon lighting. Aiming for replacement in the next 3-6 months.
What is the process and timeframe involved in reinstalling the Welcome to Kyogle… come for a day stay for a lifetime banner over Summerland Way?
It is understood that the previous banner was designed and paid for by the Chamber of Commerce and Tidy Towns. There are currently ongoing discussions around the future directions of tourism messaging for the Kyogle LGA. It is recommended that a replacement banner be investigated once the future messaging is confirmed.
What is the current cleaning and maintenance schedule for the Wiangaree area, including toilets and facilities? Acknowledging the local vibrant businesses bringing increased patronage to the village, can this maintenance schedule be increased in response.
• Public toilets in Wiangaree are cleaned every weekday morning
• Bins are emptied on Friday by the bin-truck, but an extra bin run is completed every Monday by Council staff
• Mowing is completed on an as-needed basis (typically a fortnightly cycle)
• Septic is pumped out every few months, as needed
• Inspections on assets are completed 6-12 monthly
• All other matters needing attention are dealt with through Council’s reactive services: ‘Customer Request’ and ‘After hours on-call’.
In last month’s six-monthly review of the Delivery Program and Operational Plan, there is mention of mobile phone towers benefiting Kyogle LGA. Can an explanation please be provided as to whether these have been built or whether this is a wish list?
The number shown is the number of base stations in the Kyogle local government area that have been funded under the Federal Government’s Mobile Blackspot Program. According to the Federal Government, these base stations are currently scheduled to be operational by early-mid 2025.
Can a list of all the bridges that are currently load limited and/or closed, be provided?
One bridge is closed – Montgomerys Bridge on Iron Pot Creek Road – and four bridges have load limits:
• Collins Creek Road Over Rail Bridge – 8 tonne load limit
• Simpkins Creek Road No 1 Bridge – 11 tonne load limit
• Nolans Road Bridge – 30 tonne load limit
• Cedar Point Bridge – 5 tonne load limit.
Can we have a cost of carting the waste away in relation to damage at Kyogle Landfill following Tropical Cyclone Alfred
It cost the council $8,494 to transport and dispose of domestic waste to the Nammoona Waste Facility in Casino.
It cost the council $32,664 to transport and dispose of other general waste to the Stapylton Waste Facility in Queensland.
The second pipe culvert about 1.6km down Farm Road at Bonalbo was replaced after the 2022 floods. How many times has the new pipe been exposed and the pavement repaired after rain events up until now?
Council’s records indicate it has washed out four times post the 2022 flood event.
On how many occasions since completion have the two new bridges – Yabbra Road and Gambleys Road at Joes Box Old Bonalbo, had the approaches washed out?
Council’s records show the bridge approaches have washed out three times since construction.
Where are the hydrology and engineering plans generated for our staff to work with?
The urban areas of Kyogle and the larger villages have detailed flood studies available. Our flood studies are based on quantity and duration scenarios recommended by the Australian Rainfall and Runoff: a national guideline document, data and software suite that can be used for the estimation of design flood characteristics in Australia (Australian Rainfall and Runoff – Australian Rainfall and Runoff).
These guidelines are used for the design of new structures. Generally, the smaller and less critical structures have waterway calculations done in-house. Larger, more critical structures have site specific hydrology studies done as part of the design process. Ideally the council’s roads infrastructure is designed for a 1 in 20 year rain event, up to 1 in 100 event for more critical structures. At times site constraints mean compromises are required to flood immunity levels and staff are required to use their professional judgement.