Susanna Freymark
Here is a summary of the Kyogle Council meeting on Tuesday, June 9.
Today’s meeting is at 2pm at council chambers. If you are a ratepayer or resident or simply interested in local government, you can come along and observe what happens in a council meeting.
All councillors were present at the June meeting: Danielle Mulholland, John Burley, Kieran Somerville, Brett McNamara, Janet Wilson, Olivia Taylor, Rob Cullen, Tom Cooper, and Robin Harley.
Here’s what was discussed:
To fence or not to fence
Woodenbong playground
Mayor Danielle Mulholland pushed for the playground next to Woodenbong Pool to be properly fenced because it is next to the busy Mt Lindesay Road.
The playground is currently partially fenced.
Councillors voted 5 to 4 to fence the entire playground.
Kyogle Swimming Pool
Councillor Olivia Taylor wants to see the splash park and toddler pool at Kyogle Memorial Pool fenced.
There was a fence there that was taken down during pool upgrades. Putting a fence back will cost $15,000-$20,000. Five councillors voted to put the fence back.
Do we need 4WD ambulances?
Mr Cullen is advocating for ambulances to be 4WD.
“A resident, with considerable health issues and lives at Toonumbar and has road access that is often affected by rain, called an ambulance. The ambulance that came from Kyogle was two-wheel drive and could not gain access to the farm. They had to call a four wheel drive ambulance from Urbenville. It took two hours to get there.
“It was a surprise to discover that all ambulances based in rural and regional ares are not four wheel drives.Another resident who lives in Kyogle with a steep driveway informed me that the two-wheel drive ambulance could not access her house.”
Mr Cullen said there are three 4WD drive ambulances – in Kingscliff, Lismore and Urbenville.
“I was shocked there are only three in the area,” he said.
Mr Cooper said there was a 4WD ambulance at Bonalbo.
“I’m worried they’ll take that one and bring it here,” he said.
Ms Mulholland said the issue had been raised with the State Government.
Mr McNamara said 4WD ambulances were not designed to carry patients long distances.
It’s designed to get the patient to a Mercedes (2WD ambulance) or a chopper, he said.
Celebrating rail centenary
On June 23, 1926, the first sod was turned for the Kyogle to South Brisbane railway. Read about how the Kyogle Museum celebrated this here.
On September 29, 1930 the first train ran between Sydney and Brisbane through Kyogle, removing the need to change trains where there was a change of the rail gauges at Wallangarra. This was a major engineering achievement, with the unique Cougal Spiral and significant bridges and tunnels, connecting a group of North Coast rail lines into one continuous main line as a much-required nation building project.
The centenary of this opening will be in 2030. Kyogle will have a role in considering how to celebrate this project that serves our community and the national economy to this day.
Mr Cooper said it was amazing that it’s been 100 years since this was done.
“And nothing has been done since,” he said.
“Rail is the most efficient way to move anything – and we can have electric trains.”
Mr McNamara said there was a public holiday for the railway milestone all those years ago.
“It will take four years to organise for 2030. This is bigger than Kyogle,” he said.
At the meeting, the council agreed to publicise the centenary and start planning for the event.
How is the observatory doing?
Mr McNamara questioned the council about the Mallanganee Observatory.
In light of the recent act of vandalism and theft, what steps has Council taken to:
- Respond to future anti-social behaviour
- Monitor visitation levels
- Install interpretative signage
- Undertake tree management with respect to maintaining panoramic views
This was the council’s response:
Anti-social behaviour
Minor building repairs of the door and walls are required (not exceeding $2,000). Solar inverter replacement and rewiring is also required ($3,600). Council security providers are undertaking a security options assessment and depending on the outcome of the security assessment, Council may then proceed with:
- Security signage
- Cameras
- Additional building security.
Visitation levels
Traffic counters will be installed to assess visitor numbers.
Interpretative signage
Entry signage is at the approval stage. Balustrade signage is being designed. (adhering to architect specifications).
Accompanying this signage will be:
- Web page – with observatory info
- Signage – with further information
- Visitor brochure
- Annual calendar of important transits (celestial)
- Merchandise and promotional materials.
Tree management
There are currently no plans for further clearing, and maintenance of the existing conditions will be managed within the existing budget.
XPT frustrating timetable
Ms Mulholland wants the council to push for a review of the current XPT train timetable for Northern NSW and Brisbane.
Kyogle passengers catching the train arrive in Brisbane at 4.35am and it leave Brisbane at 5.45am – neither time is good for those catching the train.
The major objection is the Queensland Government who said any changes would interferer will local trains, Ms Mulholland.
With the 20230 Olympics approaching, a change in the timetable would benefit Kyogle.
“It’s more than Kyogle, this encompasses Casino,” Mr Cullen said.
“I don’t underestimate how difficult this is,” Mr McNamara said.
“The late Malcolm Wallis was pushing this.
“If it was easy, it would have already happened. Life is always about timing.”
Since the council meeting on June 9, Ms Mulholland and Ms Somerville attended the National General Assembly in Canberra.
Ms Mulholland wrote about the conference on social media.
“I attended a meeting organised between mayors and the cross border commissioner. I also met the Australian Small Business Ombudsman who has offered to come and speak with businesses about their issues, and challenges.
We also presented the train briefing to these advisors and were given some advice on how to proceed. Federally, it seems we have indicative support for our plan to connect with the planned Queensland Government’s expansion into Beaudesert. It does however, remain the purview of the States as we know, and that advocacy is coming up.
Queensland’s parochial claim on the Olympics is a fallacy – it is an Australian event and should be celebrated as such. Border communities, such as Kyogle, have a lot to offer which was also flagged.”
Growing food for preparedness
Food security was discussed. Read that story here.
There was the financial report and the works report. Read the meeting agenda in full here.