Susanna Freymark
Here’s a summary of the Kyogle Council meeting on Monday, October 9.
Three councillors were absent – Kylie Thomas, Maggie May and John Burley.
And here is what was discussed at the meeting:
Making the cross-border road easier
Councillor James Murray wants the council to talk to Scenic Rim Council for support for the east of Mount Lindesay deviation.
“The Queensland side from the tick gate to Palen Creek is past its use by date and is in bad condition,” Mr Murray said.
Deputy mayor Tom Cooper said the road had been a discussion point when he was on council 12 years ago.
General manager Graham Kennett said council had been pursuing improving cross-border access for years.
“We have approached Scenic Rim in the past, they see it as a tourism road. Their attitude is that they support an upgrade,” Mr Kennett said.
This position is long established and has been subject to advocacy efforts with Transport for NSW and the NSW cross-border commissioner, a council report said.
Councillor Danielle Mulholland said council also needed to go through the Queensland State Government to see what plans there were.
“Until we have that information, we are driving blind,” she said.
Support for sustainable agriculture
Mr Murray put forward a motion that council support sustainable agriculture and native forestry.
Council staff responded with a report that showed how it already supported these industries.
Some of the measures include:
● The removal of red tape for consent processes for private native forestry operations
● Strong support for new agribusiness state environmental policy to encourage development in the agriculture sector
● The protection of good quality agricultural land
● Protection of freight corridors
Read the full comment on council’s sustainable agriculture support here.
What about Montgomerys Bridge?
Councillor Rob Cullen asked about Montgomerys Bridge.
Infrastructure and assets officer Tony Lickiss said council had an application in for federal funding.
“We’re waiting to hear if we’ve been successful,” Mr Lickiss said.
Mr Murray asked if temporary repairs could be done on the bridge to allow for light traffic.
“The timber approaches (to the bridge) are dilapidated, they are not safe,” Mr Lickiss said.
“We are not going to build it with timber. We are going to build it back properly.”
Read the works program report here.
Where’s my council newsletter?
Mr Cullen raised the issue of some residents saying they weren’t receiving a council newsletter.
The newsletters are delivered by Australia Post and some outlying areas could not be reached.
Anyone who didn’t receive a newsletter could view it on the council’s website or subscribe through email and receive the newsletter in a digital format.
Read council’s monthly financial report here.
Read council’s six monthly report here.
Listen to the meeting podcast here.
