Susanna Freymark
Here is a summary of the Kyogle Council meeting on Monday, July 10.
The podcast of the meeting can be listened to here.
First topic up for discussion was about whether council should endorse a vote in the Voice to Parliament referendum. Read that story here.
Buying an old building for $1
Councillor Danielle Mulholland was approached by the president of the Bonalbo Country Women’s Association about buying a building that was vacant and was owned by the Uniting Church at 7 Peacock St, Bonalbo. (The council is checking that the building on offer is actually No 5 Peacock St according to the CWA.)
It is the old fire shed that was used to store furnishings and large items as part of the op-shop next door, also owned by the church.
The Uniting Church is prepared to sell the fire shed to the council for $1 as long as the building is used for community purposes.
“This could be a multi-use centre and the CWA are happy to help with maintenance,” Ms Mulholland said.
The Bonalbo CWA has committed to maintaining and cleaning the building and will manage bookings and pay all utilities (water, sewer, electricity, phone).
Council manager Graham Kennett said council would need to do a building inspection and if that was satisfactory, the building would be classified for community purposes.
Could council fleet go hybrid?
Councillor Maggie May presented two Climate Change Working Group reports. They can be read in the agenda here.
She put forward a motion that the Climate Change Working group recommends council assesses the use of alternative fuel, hybrid and electric vehicles and looks at how council can transition to buy electric vehicles and hybrid fleet and plant.
Assets and infrastructure officer Tony Lickiss said they had looked at tip trucks but they were “quite a bit more expensive”.
“There is also a capacity issue around charging stations,” Mr Lickiss said.
Councillor May said things were changing rapidly and council needed a plan.
Most councillors voted for the motion except for Councillor James Murray. Councillor John Burley was absent.
Sister relationship with a town in Ukraine
Ms May wants the council to investigate the possibility of forming a sister town relationship with a suitable town in Ukraine.
“It’s about providing moral support,” Ms May said.
Councillors agreed except for Councillor Janet Wilson.
Works program
There was plenty to read in the Works Program report.
Of the 70 bridges in group 1, 47 have been replaced.
The report listed these bridges.
Collins Valley Rd – Lynchs Creek: bridge is complete and open to traffic. Road approach sealing is still to be done.
MacQueens Rd Bridge: in progress and expected to open early July.
Duck Creek – Allens Bridge: expected to open early July.
Duck Creek Rd – Tierneys No 1 Bridge: piling works done and abutment in progress.
Slaters Rd Bridge: completed and open
Boorabee Creek Rd, Crawford Bridge: in progress and expected to open in August.
Roseberry Creek Rd Bridge No 1: expected to be finished in August.
Trentys Lane: piling works in progress and should be finished by September.
Brown Knob Rd: new bridge to built next to existing bridge and finished by September.
Williams Rd – Barker Bridge: expected to be finished by late August.
Upgrade for Woodenbong CBD
The council is set to go ahead with the Woodenbong CBD Masterplan.
The draft Operational Plan and Delivery Program estimates $2million is needed for the upgrade.
$1million could come from the Federal Government’s Growing Regions Program if council is successful with its application and council would contribute $1million.
Council’s yearly finance report can be read here.
For more stories about Kyogle Council go to this page.