Council news Edition 4 / July 2017

All correspondence addressed to: The Interim General Manager PO Box 21, NSW 2710

NSW Government Delivers Council Communities On 12 May 2016, Murray projects that build more Shire Council and sustainable, vibrant and Shire Council were inclusive local communities. amalgamated to constitute Examples of the projects that the new area known as were funded in Murray River Murray River Council. Council include; ■ ADRIAN PICCOLI A key commitment of the • Wakool Pre-school was NSW Government to assist granted $33,715 under of their Murray River in the transition to the the Stronger Communities Tea Rooms in . new council areas was the Fund to construct an Community Living and provision of the Stronger additional multi-purpose Respite Services is a not Communities Fund to allow room to create a space for profit organisation that local residents, community for play and for babies & provides services to people groups and new councils infants to sleep. with disability, carers and to work together to deliver • The Lions Club of the aged. infrastructure and services Moama was awarded The remaining $9m has that will make a real and $3,000 to purchase a lasting difference to the lives new refrigerated cool been allocated to fund larger of our local communities. room under Murray scale priority infrastructure projects that deliver The NSW Government has River Council’s Stronger provided $10m worth of Communities Fund. long-term economic funding to the new Murray • Community Living and and social benefits River Council. The first round Respite Services received to communities. of funding allocated $1m $50,000 under the Stronger To page 4… in grants of up to $50,000 Communities Fund to See inside to community groups for support the development for the full story... Contact council Murray River Council Organisational structure Phone 1300 087 004 www.murrayriver.nsw.gov.au [email protected]

Operating hours Barham Office 15 Murray Street DAVID SHAW MARGOT STORK Barham NSW 2732 Administrator Interim General Manager Mon-Fri: 9am to 5pm Mathoura Office 21-25 Street Mathoura NSW 2710 Mon-Fri: 9.30am to 4pm Moama Office 6 Meninya Street JOHAN LOUW SIMON ARKINSTALL Moama NSW 2731 Director of Engineering Director of Planning, Environment and Mon-Fri: 9am to 4pm Economic Development Office Tualka Terrace Moulamein NSW 2733 Mon-Fri: 9am to 5pm Mathoura Visitor & Business Centre Cobb Highway Mathoura NSW 2710 e: [email protected] BRYCE CRAGGS PETER ARTHUR Executive Director Director Corporate Mon-Fri: 8.30am-4.30pm Business Support Services (Greater Wakool Moulamein Business Centre and Organisation Ward) Street Development Moulamein NSW 2733 Mon-Fri: 9am to 1pm

Council meetings Details about the next council meeting can be found in public notices or at www.murrayriver.nsw.gov.au STEPHEN PYKETT PHIL HIGGINS Manager Economic Director Corporate Council meetings are open to the public Development and Services (Greater Murray/ and residents are encouraged to participate Tourism Moama Wards) during question time.

JACKIE WARREN DI COTTRELL Manager Community Project Management Services Office First appointed Directors of Murray River Council

Our newly appointed Director and Moama to meet with both office of Engineering, Mr Johan Louw and outdoor staff. He commented commenced on Monday 19 June and that, “I am impressed by the level is based at our Moulamein office. of enthusiasm for transitioning into Johan is a current member of the a single integrated organisation. I Australian Institute of Engineers and believe the council has very capable Institute for Public Works Engineering. staff committed to the continuous He holds several qualifications and improvement of services to the brings a wealth of experience to our community”. council with over 10 years’ in similar executive roles in regional local ■ JOHAN LOUW “My immediate priorities will be councils in the states of Victoria and – Director of Engineering to contribute towards delivering a Western . During this period, seamless transition towards a single he has led the implementation of organisational integrated organisation and ensuring that the change programs resulting in operational efficiencies engineering directorate is geared to deliver the 2017- and improved services to the community. Johan has 18 operational and capital programs”. significant project management experience and has been responsible for the delivery of several “I am excited about the future of the Council and significant infrastructure projects. look forward to working with the new executive team In his first week at Murray River Council, Johan and staff to deliver the best possible services and familiarised himself with his new council area outcomes to the community within the Murray River travelling to offices in Moulamein, Barham, Mathoura Council area”.

Our appointed Director of Planning, ‘My short to medium term goals Environment and Economic will be to assist in implementing a Development held the same position, smooth transition from two former with the inclusion of Economic organisations into one, especially Development, at the former Murray from a planning department’s Shire and continues to be based at perspective. This will involve reviewing council’s Mathoura office. and developing one planning scheme for the new council and improving Simon holds several qualifications and the development approval process. has over 25 years’ experience in Local Council will be working towards Government in with ■ aligning with the NSW Department previous roles held in both rural and SIMON ARKINSTALL of Planning in utilising a web based city Councils. Simon has predominantly – Director of Planning, digital process for development worked in the building and planning Environment and Economic Development applications. More complex, higher fields, whilst also being responsible for level, applications might involve pre- the management of one of New South lodgement meetings to ensure all Wales largest landfilling operations. During his time relevant information is submitted at the time of within local government, Simon has been responsible lodgement with the aim of reducing the time taken for implementing building and planning reforms to obtain an approval.’ and ensuring that Council is meeting its statutory obligations. Simon has also been responsible for the ‘The merger process has provided an ideal situation delivery of a number of community-based programs for council to review services to the community and that revolve around capital works programs within implement changes to improve on its current level both Moama and Mathoura. of service”. Message from the Administrator

With less than two months to go references to Murray River Council to Council elections, Murray River and how things are done. It has Council is working tirelessly to been particularly exciting to bed complete transition projects. A down, in consultation with the recent review by a representative community, the Murray River of the Office of Local Government Council logo, mission and vision. shows that we are well and truly on track to achieve those transition As we prepare to transition tasks set by the Department of back to a democratically elected Premier and Cabinet way back in council, staff have completed May 2016. the ground work for the future through the preparation of the It is important to understand draft Community Strategic Plan that any transition brings with it and draft Long Term Financial Plan challenges. Whether it be systems for consideration by the incoming changes, organisation restructure ■ DAVID SHAW, Administrator council. These draft documents or changes to how we do business. When bringing together two have also been through a range diverse council areas, incorporating 11,500 square of community consultations, first kilometres, a population of 11,500 people and a through idea generation sessions and later through staff of 180+ spread across multiple work sites the review of the draft documents. things cannot simply continue the way they have Murray River Council has a bright future and is always been. ready to move forward. In a large part that is due Sitting outside the organisation looking in it is easy to the extensive preparation and transition work to be critical of those necessary changes. I have an that has been undertaken by staff led by the Interim enormous level of admiration for our staff who have General Manager. On behalf of the community, worked from day one of the merge to move our I thank our staff for their dedication to our new organisation forward. Gone are the early days when Council. They have done us proud. conversations were peppered with statements starting “At the former Wakool we did this...” And DAVID SHAW “At the former Murray we did that..”, replaced by Administrator

NSW Government Delivers To Murray River Council Communities

From front page… • Moulamein South Recreation dreamed about. I am very pleased Reserve upgrade of sporting that the NSW Government is Following consultation with facilities (ranked equal 3rd) in a financial position to make communities the assessment • Moulamein Pre-school Making this kind of investment into the panel made up of council, room for the next generation Murray River Council area. government and community • River Precinct members, has agreed to I want to thank the individuals Redevelopment allocate funding to the following and community groups who • Picnic Point Improvements made submissions to the panel community projects; • Barham Skate Park for funding. I also want to thank • Mathoura Football Netball Club Redevelopment the community members who Kitchen Redevelopment • Merran Creek Bridge participated in the assessment • Moama Recreation Reserve Rehabilitation panel. Zone 1 This funding has given our I look forward to seeing the • Barham Recreation Reserve community a once in a lifetime completion of these projects as Multi-Purpose Complex (ranked opportunity to fund the sort of together we build an even better equal 3rd) projects that were previously only and stronger region. Thanks to the Local Representative Committee members

Our thanks goes to the Local Representation Committee (LRC) members who participated and provided valuable insights and contributions to Murray River Council during their time on the committee.

Administrator Shaw dissolved the LRC in the lead up to the September local government elections. Whilst acknowledging the valuable role played by the LRC, Mr Shaw said that the time was right to allow the community to “go through the ordinary process of council nominations and candidate electioneering”. ALAN MATHERS CLINT FLANAGAN The LRC was established by resolution of Council at the Extraordinary Meeting of 9 June 2016. The purpose of the LRC was to provide input into the decision making of the Administrator and to represent the views of the various communities, in matters relating to the transition to Murray River Council following the proclamation of the merge of Council and Council on 12 May 2016.

“Since the inception of the LRC, members have worked together as a highly effective group focusing on the strategic aspects of the transition”, said Mr Shaw. “During HEIDI GLENN JASON RUSSELL a hectic and often challenging period, their insights and observations concerning the needs and preferences of the communities in which they live, and who they represented, have been of great value in the decision making process”.

Mr Shaw acknowledged that it was sometimes challenging for the LRC to remain focused on the Terms of Reference, which was not to replace a council but to form a respected and integral committee providing insights to assist the Administrator in his decision-making. “The Murray River Council LRC achieved that objective”, said Mr Shaw. JO HEARN KATARNI LIPP Administrator Shaw made the decision to wind up the LRC with the last meeting of the LRC occurring on Wednesday 3 May 2017 at Mathoura.

With the return to a democratically elected council fast approaching, the winding up of the LRC represented a move towards a “business as usual” environment focussed on the transition back to an elected council. “Part of that transition is the election process itself, including the nomination of candidates and the caretaker period leading up to the election”. LOIS LOCKHART NEIL GOREY Administrator Shaw recently wrote to LRC members thanking them for their service to the community. Council adopts 2017/18 Operational Plan and Budget

The 2017/18 Operational Plan and Budget was adopted at a special meeting of council on Thursday, 29 June 2017. Council will continue to provide the services and Administrator David Shaw said, “The 2017/18 infrastructure, which reflect community needs. Operational Plan provides a transition between The projected 2017/18 spend is shown below. the delivery programs of the two former councils and commences the establishment of a single planning and budgeting cycle for Murray River TRANSPORT & Council”. COMMUNICATION ,000 - urban roads $996,000 “Council has increased ordinary rates by the rate peg limit of 1.50% and increased waste - regional & local road network $8,958,000 management, water supply and sewerage - regional & local bridges TOTAL $908 service annual charges by 1.50% for 2017/18 - footpaths $11,215m $219 whilst maintaining the rating structures of the - other $134 two former councils as part of governments four year rate path freeze” said Mr Shaw. RECREATIONAL & The 2017/18 budget shows: CULTURAL ,000 - public libraries $432 - operating revenue $44.043m - community centre & halls $318 - other cultural services TOTAL $64 - operating expenses $37.275m $3,075m - sporting grounds & venues $919 - projected net operating surplus - swimming pools $196 $6.768m - parks & gardens $1,146 - projected capital expenditure $32.923m, which includes $20.633m for infrastructure works ENVIRONMENT ,000 - no planned borrowing - other environmental protection $7 - solid waste management $1,572 $44.043m - street cleaning TOTAL $233 BUDGET - drainage $2,627m $629 - noxious plant & insect vermin control $186 $29.776m CAPITAL WORKS ECONOMIC AFFAIRS ,000 - camping areas & caravan parks $155 $5.877m - other economic affairs $1,901 STRONGER TOTAL COMMUNITIES $2,056m FUNDING 2017/18 BUDGET SPEND

Budget breakdown

Transport & $11.215M COMMUNITY SERVICES Communications ,000 & EDUCATION Recreational & Culture $3.075M - administration & education $488 - older persons & people with Administration $6.322M disabilities $935 TOTAL Water Supplies $3.440M - children services $1,483m $60 Environment $2.627M

Sewerage Services $2.545M HOUSING & COMMUNITY Economic Affairs $2.056M SERVICES ,000 - street lighting $221 Community Services & $1.483M - town planning $764 Education - public conveniences TOTAL $138 $1,311m Housing & Community $1.311M - public cemeteries $177 Services - other community amenities $11 Public Order and Safety $1.263M PUBLIC ORDER & Governance $938k SAFETY ,000 Mining, Manufacturing & $620k - fire & emergency services $812 Construction - enforcement of local government regulations TOTAL $169 Health $380k - animal control $1,263m $282 TOTAL $37.275M

MINING MANUFACTURING & CONSTRUCTION ,000 - building control $510

- sand & gravel pits TOTAL $110 The Nimmie Caira project represents the $620k single largest capital works commitment at approximately $5m. Responding to Our Community

In late 2016 and early 2017 over 300 people were involved in extensive consultation across the Murray River Council area to develop the key foundations of our new strategic planning and reporting framework. Community Vision

Murray River Council has vibrant, diverse, and cohesive communities. We are supported by strong local business and primary industries. We value our beautiful waterways and natural surrounds.

This means that:

• The communities of the Murray River Council are productive, inclusive, and growing based on a strong tourism economy and thriving primary industries, all underpinned by the natural assets of our region. • Murray River Council area offers a quality lifestyle with affordable living, working, recreation and cultural opportunities for all ages. murrAy river To achieve the community’s vision, Council will:

• Listen, understand and respond to community views and feedback. • Operate with integrity. CounCil eleCtion • Make transparent decisions considering all of our communities. • Build relationships with neighbouring councils, including across the border. • Advocate to other levels of government for our community’s needs including infrastructure and services. Saturday, Council Mission 9 September 2017 Our mission is to:

Work with each of our unique communities to foster economic growth and prosperity, support community health and wellbeing, and protect and enhance our environment Voting is compulsory for everyone Plan effectively for the future to ensure appropriate infrastructure and services that will support quality lifestyles, foster prosperity and economic growth, and provide recreational opportunities on the electoral roll for the Murray River community (for all ages)

For information visit www.votensw.info or call 1300 135 736 Council “Rich in community, opportunity Tag Line and natural beauty” murrAy river CounCil eleCtion Saturday, 9 September 2017

Voting is compulsory for everyone on the electoral roll

For information visit www.votensw.info or call 1300 135 736 Meet our region’s centenarians Name Being active, involved in our community and generally enjoying life are all central to the long your lives of centenarians Florence (Flo) Cameron (100 years old), Aileene Gillard (101) and Elise Rowe newsletter (103).

Flo, who still loves a flutter on the pokies when We’re asking our community to put on your thinking given a chance, loves everything in life – including caps and help us name your quarterly newsletter. going on outings, bingo and cards, and musical We’re looking for names that are interesting, entertainment. Flo also takes part in exercises relevant, catchy, perceptive and even sassy – so give every morning. us your suggestions and take part in the newsletter Aileene, who owned three hairdressing salons naming competition. in Bendigo before moving to Tasmania and then Simply send through your suggestions with a short Moama, still likes to give the hairdresser advice. sentence/paragraph on why you think your idea Aileene also loves music – particularly Andre Rieu would be a good title for the Council Newsletter. and enjoys a good sherry with her meal. The top suggestions will be listed for voting and the Elsie has lived in Moama for many years best one will be used for the title of our newsletter. and still loves a good conversation, musical The lucky winner will be announced a week after entertainment and the warm sunshine on her the votes have been counted, and will be offered back. Joining in exercises when she can, many the ‘Spot light’ post where they will be interviewed people in Moama remember Elsie walking across and share a little about who they are, their hobbies, the bridge as part of her exercise routine. In fact, interests and their community. Elsie was still walking around the block at aged 101. You can make as many suggestions as you like, We know they will be sensible, appropriate and fun! Further adding to the achievements of these three women, is their loving and supportive To take part and submit your suggestions email families. This is further testament to what us at [email protected] or drop your wonderful mothers Flo, Aileen and Elsie are. suggestion into one of our offices by August 7, 2017.

What services are available at our Business Centres? Did you know that there is a range of services In addition to providing visitor information, the available at our Business Centres? Moulamein Visitor and Business Centre also has a Murray River Council sub branch, WAW Credit As well as state-of-the-art facilities and an Union, RMS and licensing, a computer for RTA impressive outdoor picnic and rest area, the testing and photocopying and printing facilities. Mathoura Visitor and Business Centre also has visitor information, library, art and craft Drop by one of our Business Centres to learn displays and sales, free internet and WiFi and more about the services these centres can offer business and conference facilities. Business and you. secretarial support, a Murray River Council sub branch, Centrelink/Medicare/ATO self-service booth and the Bendigo Bank are also available. Are you up to the Plastic Free July challenge?

If you are interested in reducing your eco- • transfer to the food chain – carrying pollutants footprint, would like to protect the river or avoid with them landfill waste then this challenge is a great • increase our eco-footprint – plastic opportunity for you to participate. manufacturing consumes 6% of the world’s The plastic bottles, bags and takeaway containers fossil fuels that we use just for a few minutes use a material Choosing to be part of the solution, you can act designed to last forever. by: These plastics break up, not break down – • avoiding products in plastic packaging (choose becoming permanent pollution. They: alternatives) • are mostly down cycled (made into low grade • reducing where possible (opt for refills, product for just one more use) or sent to remember your reusable shopping bags) landfill • refusing plastics that escape as litter (e.g. • ‘escape’ from bins, trucks, events etc. to straws, takeaway cups, utensils, balloons) become ‘accidental litter’ • end up in waterways and the ocean – where • recycling what cannot be avoided scientists predict there will be more tonnes of If you are interested in this exciting challenge, go plastic than tonnes of fish by 2050 to http:// www.plasticfreejuly.org.

GRANTS ~ Regional Cultural Funding This region can share in $100 million funds invested into regional villages, towns and cities through a new Regional Cultural Fund announced in the 2017 NSW Budget. The fund supports a diverse mix of arts and culture spanning visual media and performing arts, heritage, publishing and film.

It is a fantastic opportunity for new and existing arts and cultural facilities to receive help in developing their offerings, deliver improvements to venues and increase the participation in arts and culture. There are small, medium and large funding pools for projects from a couple of hundred dollars to $5 million. Specific funds are reserved for new programming projects.

Expressions of Interest and applications for the Regional Cultural Fund will open from 17 July 2017. Successful projects will be invited to provide additional information

For further information and guidelines for applicants visit www.create.nsw.gov.au. Region’s families set to benefit from active kids rebate As part of the budget, the NSW government for after-school, weekend and school holiday sport announced a new $100 rebate for sporting and and active recreation activities. fitness related costs. Parents will be able to register online and can take The Active Kids Rebate will assist in enabling school- a sports voucher to a registered sports club or aged children to attend team sports as well as provider to receive their rebate. recreational programs such as swimming. More details are on the NSW Office of Sport website Families will be able to claim up to $100 per https://sport.nsw.gov.au/. schoolchild, per calendar year from 1 January 2018 This is your council Key statistics Population: 11,680 Area: 11,865 sq kms Number of Wards: 3 Councillors per Ward : 3 Ward Names: Moama Ward Greater Murray Ward Greater Wakool Ward

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