It was a quick meeting at Kyogle Council on Monday, July 14.
Done and dusted in an hour – here’s a summary of the meeting.
Councillors in attendance: Robin Harley, John Burley, Janet Wilson, Danielle Mulholland, Rob Cullen, Olivia Taylor, Tom Cooper and Brett McNamara.
Absent: Kieran Somerville
More red benches
Mayor Danielle Mulholland wants the council to paint more benches red to promote awareness and encourage conversations about domestic violence.
She suggested a red bench in Cawongla and in Kyogle CBD.
Mr Cooper suggested Old Bonalbo and Wiangaree as possible locations too.
Most of the other villages in the LGA have a red bench.
Ms Taylor said the council could take a supportive and leadership role in domestic violence awareness.
“The rate of DV in Kyogle LGA is not good,” Ms Taylor said.
“What can we do?” I support the mayor on this national shame.”
Mr Harley said he was on the hospital board 20 years ago and despite Kyogle having the highest rate of DV in the area, “we didn’t talk about it.”
“We need to call it out – it’s like bullying,” M. Harley said.
That’s what the red benches are for – to get conversations happening around DV.
The stats on DV for Kyogle were that 1 in 4 women were affected and 1 in 8 men.
Everyone voted for a red bench in the CBD and at Cawongla.
Flagging NAIDOC Week
Ms Mulholland suggested the council have generic banners for NAIDOC celebrations that could be reused every year.
“Every year is (NAIDOC) themed but we could use generic ones,” Ms Mulholland said.
Acting Planning and Community Development director Amanda Clark said the council contributed to Koori Kids programs in schools across the Kyogle LGA.
Mr. McNamara said the council could look for partnerships, such as with National Parks, to further mark NAIDOC Week.
The greenness of the swimming pool
Kyogle’s old buildings
Mr McNamara asked how the council plans to conserve its heritage buildings and the status of the Local Heritage Program.
The State Government offers funding of up to $25,000 per council every two years for projects, the council said.
So far, the program has supported the repair of external building elements of the old National Bank building on Summerland Way.
Council is preparing plans to support a development application for the Cawongla Community Centre.
The council is also investigating initiatives such as heritage celebrations and a heritage trail.
The Exchange Hotel on Summerland Way will be 100 years old in 2028.
Ms Clark said some buildings had been painted with inappropriate colours so education awareness was needed about heritage buildings.
Mr Cooper said the issue in the main street was that people were saying it needed painting.
“On a closer look, it needs a Gerni,” he said.
“We have discussed taking a more targeted approach,” Ms Clark said.
“We noted the buildings needing more love.”
Ms Clark suggested the possibility of a heritage award to recognise and encourage building maintenance.
“It would demonstrate to other building owners what can be done,” she said.
Roads and bridges
Mr McNamara asked about Montgomerys Bridge.
“It is the longest period that it has been out of action,” he said.
It has been more than five years.
Assets and Infrastructure Services director Wayne Carter said Montgomerys Bridge was being designed.
Regarding Cedar Point Bridge, Mr Carter said it was a challenging project.
“There has been a failure of the central span,” he said.
“Three years ago, a lightweight fibre deck was installed. That hasn’t performed well under traffic.”
Cats and dogs
There was a discussion on the Local Orders Policy about keeping animals in urban areas.
The council said the policy was implemented in 2022.
Mr McNamara said, how do we raise awareness of the impact of cats on our environment?
Ms Clark said the council had limited powers on the roaming cat issue and dealt mostly with issues around dogs.
“We get more complaints in town limits,” she said.
Councillors voted Yes on the readoption of the Local Orders Policy.
The August council meeting is on at 2pm today, Monday, August 11.
On the agenda is:
● Waiving green waste fees for Kyogle Golf Club.
● Outdoor play areas
● Council’s social media policy
● Garden beds around the town clock
● Arts and Culture policy
● A piano in Stratheden Street
● Rural landshare developments
● Community Strategic Plan