ABOVE: Kyogle Council workers. Photo: Kyogle Council
Susanna Freymark
Here’s a summary of the Kyogle Council meeting on Monday, October 10.
It includes the parts of the meeting I found most relevant. It may not be what you would pick. See what you think – you can listen to the full meeting podcast here.
Ways to fix that damn road
September’s Works Program report was accepted but was not read aloud.
Councillor Tom Cooper noted that the council depot at Bonalbo would be getting an overseer. Council intends to increase staff and equipment at the depot in preparation for work on the Clarence Way when Federal Government funding comes in.
“That road is a blight on the good work we are doing,” Mr Cooper said.
Read about the Clarence Way issues here.
Waste remains a rubbish issue
The council’s draft Illegal Dumping and Litter Prevention Strategy is ready to be seen by residents.
Planning and community development director Chris White said illegal rubbish dumping cost the council $42,000 in clean-up in 2021.
Since 2009, illegal dumping and littering have increased. In 2021, there were 80 incidents reported that added up to 450 cubic metres of waste. That’s a lot of rubbish.
Councillor Rob Cullen said a large number of people on low incomes find it expensive to dispose of household rubbish – taking a small bag to the tip costs $8.
“That’s part of the problem. The local bins fill up,” Mr Cullen said.
Making changes such as to tip charges would come under a waste strategy, Mr White said.
Councillor Danielle Mulholland said people couldn’t afford the tip fees.
“We need to get the waste levy removed from our LGA,” she said. “It has been imposed on us (by the State Government).”
“It’s simple greed,” Mr Cooper said.
Have a read of the draft Illegal Dumping and Litter Prevention Strategy 2023-2027 which is on public exhibition for 42 days.
Buying a new grader, keeping the old one
Council will buy a new grader, a water truck, a smooth drum roller, a multi-tyred roller and six sets of portable traffic lights.
New council trucks have been ordered but there is a six-month wait.
Council is deferring the sale of its grader and low loader.
Infrastructure and assets director Tony Lickiss said council is doing this because of the extra work that is coming up.
General manager Graham Kennett said: “We’ll need two graders for a few years.”
Land needed for sewerage plants in villages
Council is progressing with possible future sewerage services for Tabulam, Wiangaree and Mallanganee.
The masterplans for these villages come under the state Safe and Secure Water Program.
The initial feasibility study was done way back in 2012.
Land has been bought at Tabulam for a sewerage treatment plant but land is still needed at Wiangaree and Mallanganee.
Mr Cooper said sewerage treatment plants are long overdue for villages west of the range.
Ms Mulholland said every resident in the LGA and across Australia was entitled to a basic level of service.
As always it comes down to money. The council needs to secure land for the treatment plants in all villages in order to secure funding for 75% of the construction costs.
It’s a matter of – watch this space – for progress on this.
Submissions are in on animals policy
The council has been working on the Local Orders Policy – Keeping Animals in Urban Areas for a while. The report has been on public exhibition.
There were six submissions from the community on the policy and none required any changes to be made.
You can read the IndyNR.com story on the policy here.
and then