THETHEvoicevoice ofof UpperUpper LachlanLachlan Shire,Shire, thethe ShireShire ofof VillagesVillages Big Hill, Binda, Bigga, Breadalbane, Collector, Crookwell, Dalton, Grabben Gullen, Gunning, Jerrawa, Laggan, Taralga, Tuena May-June, 2014 Water for Our Future Above: At the official opening of the Taralga Water Treatment Plant: (L to R) Angus Taylor MP, Member for Hume; Katrina Hodgkinson MP, Minister for Primary Industries, Member for Burrinjuck; John Bell, General Manager; Pru Goward MP, Minister for Planning and Minister for Women, Member for Goulburn; Mayor John Shaw. Left: At the official opening of the Gunning-Dalton Water Supply Scheme: Katrina Hodgkinson MP, Minister for Primary Industries, Member for Burrinjuck pouring fresh, filtered water from the Gunning filtration plant with Mayor John Shaw. On Thursday, 22 May 2014 the Hon. Katrina Hodgkinson MP, Minister for Primary Industries and Member for Burrinjuck officially opened the source of the best quality water the villages of Taralga, Gunning and Dalton in the Upper Lachlan Shire could ever hope for. The Taralga Water Treatment Plant and the Gunning-Dalton Water Supply Scheme are two major water improvement projects that Upper Lachlan Shire Council has invested time and money into to provide these villages with a first class water supply system that will drive the future development and growth of the villages. Refer to page 5 for a special fea- ture on the water projects. may 2014, page 2 THE Voice Upper Lachlan Shire Council of upper Lachlan shire, The shire of villages From the Mayors Desk - Clr John Shaw From the General Manager - John Bell The Shire is a blaze of Autumn colour at the moment, with the New Water Facilities for Taralga, Gunning and Dalton change of season approaching with frosty mornings and cool It was with great pleasure that Council officially opened two evenings. new major water improvement facilities with a cumulative value It was wonderful to have the Hon. Katrina Hodgkinson MP, of $12.5M for the villages of Taralga, Gunning and Dalton. The Minister for Primary Industries officially open the Taralga Water Hon. Katrina Hodgkinson MP officially opened the facilities to Treatment Plant and the Gunning-Dalton Water Supply the applause of many members of the Shire community and Scheme on Thursday, 22 May 2014. The Shire turned on a fan- other invited guests. It was a significant day for the Shire as this tastic show for the guests who attended, which also included new infrastructure will not only provide a secure, high quality the Hon. Pru Goward, Member for Goulburn; Peter Ledwos water source for residents, but also promote growth and devel- Regional Manager, Urban Water Branch and Steve Palmer, Senior Manager opment in the region. Refer to the special feature that starts on page 5. Planning, Country Towns Water Supply & Sewerage Program from NSW Office Connection to the new town water supply is a process that will take a number of of Water; and Richard Batty from Department of Public Works – South Coast weeks. Filtered water is progressively introduced to the system and will stabilize Region. Sunny skies provided a wonderful backdrop for the days’ proceedings with time. Both water treatment plants in Taralga and Gunning are operating very and I was pleased to see so many members of the community attend the open- well and water quality is expected to improve further as treated water continues ings and enjoy the tours of the impressive projects. to move through the system. Some flushing of the town mains is necessary to During the past month, I have also attended many Shire community events. remove accumulated silt as the new water is introduced into the system. Although ANZAC Day is an important annual event and one I look forward to celebrating there is some short term inconvenience whilst the new system stabilizes, resi- with the Shire community. This year I attended the Dawn Service at Gunning, dents can look forward to a continuous, reliable and quality water supply for the and then it was off to Crookwell where I attended the commemorative ceremony future. and march. After official proceedings, I enjoyed lunch with the community at the Crookwell RSL. Each year the crowds are steadily increasing, with more young Road Reconstruction and Sealing of Crookwell to Taralga Road (MR248E) children and teenagers attending ANZAC day services. It’s wonderful to see the Since 2008, Council has been progressively working on the reconstruction and younger generation coming together with the older folk to remember and appre- sealing of Crookwell to Taralga Road MR248E. With assistance from the NSW ciate our service men and women. Roads and Maritime Services (RMS), Council has allocated money to its roads I look forward to the annual Collector Pumpkin Festival, which is a fantastic dis- capital expenditure program for 2014/15 and will complete sealing the final 3.1km play of what makes our Shire great. Despite the cold, blustery conditions the fes- of the road during this period. Sealing of this final section of the road will cost tival attracted 6,000 people from Canberra and as far away as Sydney who $919,000 and will provide the community and visitors to the Shire with a high braved the day to enjoy all things pumpkin! Well done to the organizers of the standard, safe rural road link between Crookwell and Taralga. Collector Pumpkin Festival for another successful event. 2014/2015 Operational Plan In the past month, along with Councilors and Council Staff, I have attended three Over the past few months, Council has been busy compiling the suite of docu- Community Outreach Meetings with residents in Big Hill, Crookwell and Gunning ments for the draft 2014/2015 Operational Plan. The Operational Plan outlines to discuss issues, concerns and contents of Council’s draft Integrated Plans the principal activities to be undertaken by Council to address the Community 2014-15 and other localised issues. The Integrated Plans and Reporting suite of Strategic Plan (CSP) Strategic Objectives and allocates responsibility for each documentation sets Council’s direction for the future, and community input is activity. Public submissions to the draft Operational Plan closed on 26 May 2014 integral to the process. Although community attendance to the meetings has and will be tabled and considered at the Council Meeting on 19 June 2014. been poor, the feedback received was good and will assist Council set its future Council has prepared a $23.8M operating budget, with a projected operating direction. budget surplus (before capital grants and contributions) for 2014/2015 of I recently attended a SEROC board meeting in Queanbeyan, where as the Chair $387,378, with a total cash flow surplus in each fund; including water supply, of the Committee I was pleased to announce that SEROC is entering a new sewerage and domestic waste funds. For more details on the capital expenditure phase with the development of its first Integrated Regional Strategic Plan. works program for 2014/2015 please refer to page 10. SEROC comprises the ACT Government and the NSW Local Government Authorities of Bombala, Boorowa, Cooma-Monaro, Eurobodalla, Goulburn- Congratulations to Crookwell Men’s Shed Mulwaree, Harden, Palerang, Queanbeyan, Snowy River, Upper Lachlan, Yass Council would like to congratulate the Crookwell Men’s Shed, especially Mike Valley and Young. The strategic plan will include the critical social, economic, Mayoh, Don Southwell and all the other members who have worked tirelessly and environmental imperatives and the key to managing them successfully. It will over the past two years to secure a permanent “residence” for the community provide direction for SEROC members and other stakeholders to work together group. The Crookwell Men’s Shed, established since 2009 and 50 members to plan ahead to achieve positive benefits for the region and its communities. strong, has successfully secured a twenty year lease from Transport for NSW for I also had a meeting with SEROC Executive Committee including John Barilaro the vacant railway land adjacent to Park Street. This in itself is major accomplish- MP, Member for Monaro and Parliamentary Secretary for Small Business and ment for the group, as it has allowed them to secure grant funding from the NSW Regional Development, as well as The Hon. Paul Toole MP, Member for Bathurst Community Building Partnership Program and to apply for further funding from and Minister for Local Government. During this meeting we further discussed the Veolia Mulwaree Trust. Crookwell Rotary has also assisted the group financially issues and challenges facing SEROC and its regional members, and how the to enable them to build a shed where they are able to work from and conduct State government could assist us achieving a better level of service for our con- their Men’s Shed activities. However, these courageous men have also raised stituents. Making the time and effort to attend these meetings is integral to over $30,000 from their own fundraising efforts and will provide a project worth ensure we have a voice and our message is heard by those who can assist us almost $100,000 that will benefit all of the local community. I commend them on at a Local level. their efforts and initiative to achieve such a wonderful community asset. Council Services Emergencey After Hours Contact Numbers: Taralga office Crookwell / Bigga / Binda / Tuena / Grabben Gullen / Laggan /Taralga and Opening Hours: Monday to Friday: 9:00 am to 4:30 pm Big Hill areas: Ph: (02) 4840 2099, Fax: (02) 4840 2296. Roads, bridges and tips: 0429 786 659, Water and sewer: 0407 496 358. Gunning / Dalton / Breadalbane / Collector / Jerrawa areas: Council Email Address: Roads, bridges and tips, water and sewer 0427 454 206. [email protected] Postal address: (For all offices) Web Site PO BOX 42, Gunning NSW 2581 www.upperlachlan.nsw.gov.au Find us on Facebook Council Offices: Justice of the Peace Crookwell office: Opening Hours: Monday to Friday 9:00 am to 4:30 pm Justices of the Peace in N.S.W.