Susanna Freymark
Here is a summary of the Kyogle Council monthly meeting on Monday, April 8.
The podcast of the meeting can be listened to here and the agenda is here.
There are only four more meetings before the council elections on September 14.
IndyNR.com recommends you attend a meeting to see how local government works and how your councillors deal with issues.
Budget impacts pool precinct upgrade
More than an hour was spent discussing the Health & Wellbeing Hub at the pool precinct. Read more about that here.
Tell us what you really think about climate change
The Climate Change and Adaption Strategy and Action Plan was presented at the meeting. Read the document here.
Read how one councillor responded here.
Hear, hear – action on disabilities
Councillor Janet Wilson said she is a person who lives with sensory disability as she has a loss of hearing. She wants the council to look at its Disability Action Plan.
Research shows that: “Around one in six Australians has some form of hearing loss, ranging from mild to complete hearing loss. That figure is expected to grow to one in four by 2050, due in a large part to the country’s ageing population.”
Ms Wilson uses personal assisted devices to hear what is being said in council meetings.
Ms Wilson wants to ensure all people in the council and those considering running as a councillor are not hampered by a disability when doing council business.
“People with a disability need to be able to stand for council,” she said.
“This council has been deficient in how it has dealt with disability and it needs to do considerable work.”
Ms Wilson said a policy review didn’t need to be done “tomorrow” but it does need to be done.
She said there had been discriminatory behaviour displayed in the council chamber and this highlighted the need for a review of the Code of Meeting Practice.
The report states:
This motion is to seek change in the council chamber and to set a higher standard of respect for those living with disability and who may wish to stand for elected office or contribute through a not-for-profit organisation for the common good across the LGA.
Ms Wilson said she was aware of side comments made about her.
One of them was – “She can hear if she wants to.”
Her answer to that – “She can’t!”
“I’ve tested four different (hearing) systems in the last six weeks.
“It costs a lot of money and I’m very happy to pay.”
Residents should see councillors stand up for those with difficulties, she said.
Mayor Kylie Webster said they would look at the Disability Action Plan after the September election.
Getting a new GM
To find a suitable applicant after the sudden sacking of Graham Kennett and the departure of interim GM Brett Kelly, the council is going through the process of hiring a new GM.
The General Manager’s Recruitment and Review Sub Committee includes Ms Webster, deputy mayor Tom Cooper and councillor Rob Cullen.
The sub-committee received four proposals from recruitment agencies.
“It’s a good time to go to market after the Queensland election,” Mr Cooper said.
“Our price range is in the ballpark and our proximity to Brisbane is a big plus.”
Ms Mulholland asked about the cost of using an agency for job recruitment.
Mr Cooper said the quote range from the agencies was between $18,000–$42,000.
The agency selected by the sub-committee will cost $21,000.
Works in progress
The Mallanganee Observatory has been put out for tender with plans for work to start in December 2025. A funding deed for the observatory was signed in January 2023 with the grant to be finalised by November this year. The design is completed and the tender process is underway.
Read more about the observatory here.
Councillor James Murray asked about the grant for Woodenbong cemetery for better access to the gravesides.
“In wet weather, they have to carry coffins quite a distance,” he said.
“You need gumboots to get to the graves.”
The current funding for Woodenbong Cemetery is for bins, a shelter and a disabled toilet.
Staff member Matt Sorenson said they “were talking with the community about a car park closer to grave sites but there is no current funding on that yet”.
Read the council’s Works Program Progress Report.
Getting rid of rubbish
Ms Wilson spoke about the issue of illegal dumping of household rubbish at the parks. She said the new council bins had improved the situation.
Planning and Community Development acting director Amanda Clark said the council was monitoring the bins and collecting data.
“We’re trying to ensure we don’t get to overflowing bins,” she said.
“It’s illegal to dump household rubbish in (council) bins. People may be fined.”
To reduce illegal dumping the Kyogle tip had changed fees for smaller amounts of rubbish.
Previously the minimum cost for rubbish was $9.
Ms Clark said the council had introduced a $1 bag fee for smaller rubbish disposal.
She said across the region, Kyogle LGA’s rubbish fees were 55% less than neighbouring councils.
A ute load of rubbish at Kyogle is $45, in Lismore it is $117, and $70 in Richmond Valley, she said.
The draft Bonalbo Floodplain Risk Management Plan was presented at the council. Read the plan here.
and then