Murray Matters December 2018 The major projects | PAGE 4 Meet the council - round 2 | PAGE 6 Tourism promotion on the agenda | PAGE 6 Celebrate Australia Day | PAGE 11 AND MORE… Mooloomoon Historic Shearing Shed, Moulamein Contact council MAYOR Councillor Chris BILKEY Phone 0439 163 272 [email protected] 1300 087 004 Elected September 2017 Moama Ward www.murrayriver.nsw.gov.au [email protected] DEPUTY MAYOR Councillor Gen CAMPBELL 0458 809 803 Barham Office [email protected] 15 Murray Street Elected September 2017 Moama Ward Barham NSW 2732 Mathoura Office Councillor Nikki COHEN 21-25 Conargo Street 0419 573 258 [email protected] Mathoura NSW 2710 Elected September 2017 Moama Ward Moama Office 6 Meninya Street Councillor Neil GOREY Moama NSW 2731 0428 536 513 [email protected] Moulamein Office Elected September 2017 Tualka Terrace Greater Wakool Ward Moulamein NSW 2733 Councillor Tom WEYRICH Mathoura Visitor & Business Centre 0429 950 594 Cobb Highway [email protected] Mathoura NSW 2710 Elected September 2017 Greater Murray Ward Moulamein Business Centre Morago Street Councillor Tony AQUINO Moulamein NSW 2733 0417 856 199 [email protected] Elected September 2017 Greater Murray Ward Councillor Ann CROWE 0438 331 733 [email protected] Elected September 2017 Greater Wakool Ward Councillor Alan MATHERS 0427 209 806 [email protected] Elected September 2017 Greater Wakool Ward Councillor Geoff WISE 0407 801 005 [email protected] Elected September 2017 Greater Wakool Ward Message from the Mayor It will be no surprise to anyone to learn activity is showing a significant upswing that more than 40% of our Council area’s as more people are attracted to the economy is driven by agriculture. And Murray River. Our partnership with Echuca that agriculture is a very diverse range of Moama Tourism is reaping great rewards, activity from dry farming (wheat, canola, particularly in boosting overnight stays. sheep and cattle) to irrigated crops One important challenge is to spread including rice, nuts and, yes, even cotton. this growth into more of the smaller And then there’s dairying, and horticulture, communities in the Council area. feedlotting and a host of others. In the industry space, we are delighted The combination of very low rainfall and to see examples of innovation and value- little or no water available for irrigation has adding occurring across the region, from placed enormous stress on the viability micro-abattoir development to solar farms. of this sector, with flow-on effects to the The economic development team within communities directly dependent on them. Council is working hard with a variety of And the ongoing implementation of the projects, large and small, to bring more Murray Darling Basin Plan gives little hope industry and jobs to our communities. that the situation will change significantly It’s all about securing our agricultural base in our favour. and strengthening the other legs of our That is why we as a Council are working economic stool. Stay tuned for updates as with a number of bodies to get the we head into 2019. best possible outcome for our farmers. And on that note - to our community and We cannot allow the backbone of our on behalf of everyone at council, I wish economy, the viability of our farming you, your family and loved ones a safe and enterprises or the health of our happy festive season. communities to be further eroded. It’s been a great pleasure to be part of a At the same time, we are working to committed and hard-working group of strengthen other parts of our economy, Councillors over the past twelve months to bolster other economic drivers. Two of and I look forward to continuing our work these areas are tourism (which employs together to move this council towards a around 20% of our community) and strong and vibrant future. industry, particularly industry that adds value to or supports the agricultural sector. Merry Christmas! Successes in both these areas in recent Best Regards times are encouraging. Data on tourism Cr Chris Bilkey Annual report on display Murray River Council’s 2017 – 2018 Annual Report has been released; a document which provides an overview of council’s services, performance, governance and finances for the year. The report showcases many of the achievements that have occurred over the year which support the development of our communities, along with an overview of council finances and performance. A full version of the annual report is available on council’s website and a printed copy can be reviewed at our customer service centres. The major projects With design, tender and now construction works kicking along, there has been a lot of action happening on our Major Projects! Check out the progress on a couple of these projects below. Mathoura Picnic Point The completion of this project will ensure this influx of tourists is met with attractive Picnic Point Reserve is a 2 hectare area located surrounds and facilities, encouraging them to 10km’s east of Mathoura, at the end of Picnic return again and again. It will be a great spot Point Road on the banks of the Murray River. for the locals too! This project includes upgrade works at the North and South Beaches, inclusion of a Tooleybuc Mensforth Park playground within the reserve and general Mensforth Park is located north of the historic landscaping to bring it all together….and bridge crossing, between the highway and the thanks to a great collaboration between the river and is an attractive place for people to committee and council we can report that the stop and enjoy the natural surrounds. works are now complete! There’s new concrete paving, electric BBQ’s, playground equipment, The Tooleybuc Piangil Action Group initially new picnic tables, bench seating, furniture and coordinated the project with the view to tables along with a beach shower. enhance Mensforth Park and its settings. This will encourage more traffic to stop and enjoy the town, as well as provide recreational activities for the local community. The works will include upgrades to the Bridge Keepers Cottage, upgrade to the playground area and the development of a walking and bike track that would include seating, exercise stations, signage and sculptures. So where’s it up to? The concept designs have all be completed so next up is the call for tenders for the works to get underway! ■ Some great new infrastructure has been installed at Picnic Point. LIKE US ON Keep an eye on updates or community information via our FACEBOOK Facebook Page: Murray River Council. ■ Snapshot of proposed upgrades at Mensforth Park. Have your say - Watch our councillors in action mobile and digital If you’re interested in coming along to a council meeting, connectivity in our check out the details of our 2019 meeting dates. There are varying times and locations…so pop along if you’re free! region JANUARY 2019 Tues 22 6:00pm Moama People living, working and FEBRUARY 2019 Tues 26 1:00pm Barham travelling in regional or rural NSW were recently invited MARCH 2019 Tues 26 1:00pm Mathoura to complete a questionnaire APRIL 2019 Tues 23 6:00pm Moama about mobile coverage or MAY 2019 Tues 28 1:00pm Barham internet/digital connectivity by the NSW Government. To JUNE 2019 Tues 25 1:00pm Mathoura give everyone in the regions JULY 2019 Tues 23 6:00pm Moama another chance to share their experience with mobile and/ AUGUST 2019 Tues 27 1:00pm Barham or digital connectivity, the SEPTEMBER 2019 Tues 24 1:00pm Mathoura survey has re-opened until 31 Venues: December 2018. You can access the survey at: Barham: Riverside Reception Centre 15 Murray Street www.nsw.gov.au/improving- Mathoura: Multi-Function Room, Mathoura Visitor and nsw/regional-nsw/regional- Business Centre, Cobb Highway growth-fund/connecting- Moama: Tatalia room, Upper level, Rich River Golf Club, 24 country-communities/ Lane, Moama Meet the council – round 2! Development, tourism and health were again some of the key topics raised during Murray River Council’s recent round of ‘meet the council’ events. Council’s Mayor, General Manger and other councillors have been taking another tour around the municipality, giving residents the opportunity to meet them in person and raise ideas or concerns. Mayor Cr Chris Bilkey said it was important ■ Our GM has been busy on the BBQ at to visit all towns and villages to ensure the recent round of Meet the Council they are being kept up to date, feel events. connected with council and can flag any “Each scheduled event is a time set aside for our residents to come and chat to us important issues. about their ideas, rather than having to “The meet the council sessions have again catch us on the phone or at the end of provided a great opportunity for us to meeting,” he said. listen first-hand to the issues and priorities The ‘meet the council tour’ will continue in of our residents.” local communities again in early 2019. Tourism promotion on the agenda Our Economic Development and Tourism Team have some big plans for exciting new promotional material in 2019. The team recently completed a round-the- council photo shoot, snapping iconic locations and ‘things-to-do’ to ensure there is a great range of imagery to showcase our region. With these new shots in hand, a brand new visitors guide for Murray River Council will now be produced in 2019 showcasing area features, things to do, events and the finer things on offer! It will also provide tourism services and local businesses an opportunity to advertise- so stay tuned for more info.