KYOGLE COUNCIL ROADS UPDATE — 15 MARCH 2022

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Council continues to assess its road, bridge and infrastructure network for flood damage, while working to restore access to isolated residents.
It’s a huge task and it’s expected the real cost of the floods will not be known for some time. However, early indications are that the flood damage bill could be up to $60 million.
Council, just like our residents, wants to restore our roads and bridges as quickly as possible, but the extent of the damage means we have to triage and prioritise our repairs. Our number one priority is restoring people’s access to essential services.
From there we will shift our focus to removing some of the detours we have in place and restoring heavy vehicle access. Then we will target lesser issues starting on the heavier trafficked roads.
We ask for residents’ patience while we work through this mammoth task and ask people to report any issues they come across by phoning 6632 1611 during business hours or 6626 6800 after hours. You can also email council@kyogle.nsw.gov.au or report an issue via the website at https://www.kyogle.nsw.gov.au/…/jobs-news…/contact/
In great news for Dugans Road residents, Council today constructed a detour around the landslip and they now have access again. Work will continue at the site tomorrow.
That means that Capeen Creek Road is the only road that is closed that is isolating residents. There are two load limited bridges between Old Bonalbo and the damaged bridge on Capeen Creek Road. Council is currently working on the first of two side-tracks that will allow us to access the damaged bridge. Council expects to move on to the second bridge next week.
Roads that remain closed that have detours in place are:
  • Dyraaba Road (grading the northern end of Dyraaba Road has started)
  • Lillian Rock Road (the landslip has deteriorated and Council is assessing whether temporary solution is still achievable)
  • Tunglebung Creek Road
  • Geneva Street, Kyogle (detour is expected to be in place long term)
The Bruxner Highway continues to be restricted to one lane at two locations west of Mummulgum.Landslips have closed one lane of the highway on the Mallanganee Range and near Rogers Road east of Tabulam. Both lane closures are expected to remain in place for some time.
Kyogle Road at the Cawongla Range is closed to all traffic from 8.30am to 3.30 pm on weekdays. It continues to be open to one-lane of traffic outside of these hours. It is open weekends.
Summerland Way is restricted to one lane of traffic at Burnetts. The single lane closure will be in place for some time.

Kyogle Recovery Centre open today (Tuesday, 15 March)

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The Kyogle Recovery Centre in the vacant shopfront at the Kyogle Memorial Hall is open today (Tuesday, 15 March) from 9am-5pm.
Services available are:
  •  Service NSW, from 9am-5pm
  •  NSW DPI, 9am-12pm
  •  Department of Justice and Communities, 9am-5pm
  •  Business Concierge, 9am-5pm
  •  Service Australia, 9am-5pm
  •  Salvation Army, 9am-5pm

Council Roads Update – Afternoon 14 March 2022

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The Bruxner Highway is restricted to one lane at two locations west of Mummulgum.
Landslips have closed one lane of the highway on the Mallanganee Range and near Rogers Road east of Tabulam.
Both lane closures are expected to remain in place for sometime.
Kyogle Road at the Cawongla Range is closed to all traffic from 8.30am to 3.30 pm on weekdays. It continues to be open to one-lane of traffic outside of these hours.
It is open weekends.
PLEASE NOTE motorists have been driving around the road closed signs at the Cawongla Range slip while work to remediate the site is in progress. This is extremely dangerous, very ill advised and could result in serious injuries to Council staff and motorists. DO NOT DRIVE PAST ANY ROAD CLOSED SIGN.
Other roads that remain closed that have detours in place are:
• Dyraaba Road (grading the northern end of Dyraaba Road has started)
• Lillian Rock Road (the landslip has deteriorated and Council is assessing whether temporary solution is still achievable)
• Tunglebung Creek Road
• Geneva Street, Kyogle (detour is expected to be in place long term)
Roads (isolating residents) that remain closed are:
• Dugans Road – works are expected to recommence tomorrow (Tuesday) building a detour around the landslip.
• Capeen Creek Road remains closed at the second last bridge. There are two load limited bridges between Old Bonalbo and the bridge. Council is currently working on the first of two side-tracks that will allow us to access the damaged bridge.
Residents in these areas that need assistance should contact the SES either by phone 132 500 or via the SES website https://www.ses.nsw.gov.au/
Council is still assessing its road network and appreciates your help in identifying problems. You can report issues by:
• Calling Kyogle Council business hours 02 6632 1611 after hours and emergency number 02 6626 6800
• Emailing council@kyogle.nsw.gov.au
There will be no roads update tomorrow unless the situation changes dramatically.
Below are photos of Campbells Road following the flood and then after urgent repairs undertaken Council.

Kyogle Roads update – 14 March 2022

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One lane of the Bruxner Highway past the landslip on the Mallanganee Range has opened to traffic.
The highway was re-opened late on Saturday.
Traffic flow is being controlled by on-site traffic controllers. One lane of the highway is expected to remain open while work to remediate the land slip continues over the next week or two.
The opening of the Bruxner Highway follows the opening on Friday afternoon of Kyogle Road at the Cawongla Range.
Traffic lights are controlling the flow of traffic past the Cawongla landslip.
The road will close from 8.30am-3.30pm weekdays to allow works to continue to remediate the landslip and repair the road.
Other roads that remain closed that have detours in place are:
• Dyraaba Road (grading the northern end of Dyraaba Road has started)
• Lillian Rock Road (the landslip has deteriorated and Council is assessing whether temporary solution is still achievable)
• Tunglebung Creek Road
• Geneva Street, Kyogle
Roads (isolating residents) that are closed are:
• The slip on Dugans Road has deteriorated again, and works to reopen the road will continue this week.
• Capeen Creek Road remains closed at the last bridge. There are two load limited bridges between Old Bonalbo and the last bridge. Council has to construct side tracks around these two bridges before we can repair the damaged bridge. This work is expected to take a couple of weeks to complete.
Residents in these areas that need assistance should contact the SES either by phone 132 500 or via the SES website https://www.ses.nsw.gov.au/
Council is still assessing its road network and appreciates your help in identifying problems. You can report issues by:
• Calling Kyogle Council business hours 02 6632 1611 after hours and emergency number 02 6626 6800
• Emailing council@kyogle.nsw.gov.au

Kyogle Roads update – afternoon 11 March 2022

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One lane of the Kyogle Road on the Cawongla Range has re-opened to traffic this afternoon.

Traffic lights are controlling the flow of traffic past the landslip, and motorists are advised to drive with caution.

The road will remain open all weekend. It will be closed again from Monday-Friday from 8.30am to 3.30pm each day to allow works to continue to remediate the site.

The Bruxner Highway at the Mallanganee Road is expected to open to one lane of traffic Saturday afternoon at the earliest. Traffic flow will be controlled by lights once the highway opens.

Roads that remain closed that have detours in place are:
• Bruxner Highway at the Mallanganee Range (works have begun, may open at the weekend)
• Dyraaba Road (grading the northern end of Dyraaba Road has started)
• Lillian Rock Road (the landslip has deteriorated and Council is assessing whether temporary solution is still achievable)
• Tunglebung Creek Road
• Geneva Street, Kyogle

Roads (isolating residents):
• The slip on Dugans Road has deteriorated again, and works to reopen the road will continue next week.
• Capeen Creek Road remains closed at the last bridge. There are two load limited bridges between Old Bonalbo and the last bridge. Council has to construct side tracks around these two bridges before we can repair the damaged bridge. This work is expected to take a couple of weeks to complete.

Residents in these areas that need assistance should contact the SES either by phone 132 500 or via the SES website https://www.ses.nsw.gov.au/

Council is still assessing its road network and appreciates your help in identifying problems. You can report issues by:
• Calling Kyogle Council business hours 02 6632 1611 after hours and emergency number 02 6626 6800
• Emailing council@kyogle.nsw.gov.au
• On line at https://www.kyogle.nsw.gov.au/…/jobs-news…/contact/

Flood Disaster Assistance

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For information on all available disaster assistance, please call Service NSW on 13 77 88 or visit https://www.service.nsw.gov.au/floods/financial-assistance
Service NSW customer care specialists can help connect flood-affected customers with services and support information including:
  • access to emergency accommodation
  • relevant charitable services
  • mental health and wellbeing services
  • financial assistance
  • insurance and legal advice
  • replacing lost identification.

Types of Financial Assistance Available

The Disaster Relief Grant helps people to recover from the effects of a disaster and re-establish a basic standard of living. It is not provided to replace insurance or compensate for losses. You may be eligible for financial support if the following apply:

  • your home (primary place of residence) was damaged by a natural disaster
  • you do not have insurance for the damage
  • you are a low-income earner with limited financial resources
  • it has been less than four months since the disaster.

Phone 13 77 88 and ask about the Disaster Relief Grant administered by Resilience NSW.

This is an NSW Government grant, available at any time to eligible individuals or households. It is administered by Resilience NSW. For further details follow this link.

Disaster Recovery Payment: $1,000 for adults and $400 for children
The Disaster Recovery Payment is a one-off, non-means tested payment of $1,000 for adults and $400 for children, who have been seriously injured, lost their homes or whose homes have been directly damaged, or the immediate family members of a person who has lost their life, as a direct result of the storms and floods. This is an Australian Government disaster assistance payment.
Visit Services Australia by following this link to find out if you are eligible or phone 180 22 66.

Disaster recovery funding and business support

The NSW Government and Australian Government are working together to provide flood assistance and support.
Over 70 local government areas (LGAs) have been declared disaster areas since November 2021 and are eligible for support.

The assistance available includes:

  • concessional interest rate loans for small businesses, primary producers and not-for-profit organisations
  • freight subsidies for primary producers.

Businesses impacted by storms and floods from January to March 2022 can request to be notified when financial support is available from the NSW Government by completing an online form.

For more information and to stay up to date on all available business support, please visit the storms and floods business information hub on the Service NSW website.

Flood affected land managers – stock and infrastructure assistance

Local Land Services teams are on the ground to help connect land managers with the services and support they need right now.

The NSW Department of Primary Industries and Local Land Services work together to manage the effects of emergencies on agriculture, livestock and our community as Agriculture and Animal Services Functional Area – AASFA.

They offer a dedicated hotline for producers to call to report damage and stock losses, as well as request assistance. The AASFA Hotline is 1800 814 647.

Available help includes:

  • Emergency fodder
  • Veterinary assistance
  • Stock destruction and burial
  • Livestock feeding and management advice.

Primary producers who are now starting to gain access to their paddocks are encouraged to report damage, including stock and fodder losses, as well as damage to farms, fencing and other farm infrastructure.

Animal Welfare

Floodwaters and wet conditions can cause a wide range of livestock health issues, even for some time after the waters have subsided.
Livestock that have been standing in water for some time, or that have been submerged, are most at risk of developing disease issues and should be monitored closely.

Staff will assess animals and euthanise those that are too badly injured for treatment in consultation with the owner. Animals may still require care by a commercial veterinarian rather than government vets once assessed. Any ongoing treatment required by a commercial veterinarian will be at the cost of the owner.

Safe disposal of drowned livestock

Members of the public who encounter a deceased animal can report it to the Agriculture and Animal Services hotline on 1800 814 647.

Fences down / fence repair

Where damaged fencing creates an immediate public safety hazard, landholders should contact the Agricultural and Animal Services Hotline on 1800 814 647.

Primary producers whose fencing has been damaged may be eligible for Special Disaster Grants of up to $75,000 to help with the cost of repairs. Contact the NSW Rural Assistance Authority for more details on 1800 678 593.

Funding for landholders – Loans, Grants, Subsidies 

NSW Rural Assistance Authority (RAA) 1800 678 593 is administering the following:

Funding arrangements for declared natural disasters with category explanations are listed here> https://www.raa.nsw.gov.au/disaster-assistance/declarations

Kyogle Council roads update – morning 11 March 2022

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The Bruxner Highway at the Mallanganee Range is expected to open to one lane of traffic Saturday afternoon at the earliest.
Traffic flow will be controlled by lights.
One lane of the Kyogle Road past the landslip on the Cawongla Range is expected to open to traffic this afternoon. Traffic flow will be controlled by traffic lights.
Council plans to close the road during business hours on weekdays so road crews can continue their work to remediate the landslip. It will close after school buses services have passed the site in the morning and will re-open in the afternoon to allow school buses through. It will then remain open until the following morning. Council will confirm opening and closing times in the afternoon update.
Roads that remain closed that have detours in place are:
  • Bruxner Highway at the Mallanganee Range (works have begun, may open at the weekend)
  • Kyogle Road at the Cawongla Range (works have begun on a side track)
  • Paddys Flat Road (expected to open today)
  • Dyraaba Road (grading the northern end of Dyraaba Road has started)
  • Lillian Rock Road (the landslip has deteriorated and Council is assessing whether temporary solution is still achievable)
  • Tunglebung Creek Road
  • Geneva Street, Kyogle
Roads (isolating residents) Council expects to open this week are:
  • Booths Road (works have begun)
  • Dugans Road, pictured, (road slipped again, works have begun)
Roads (isolating residents) Council expects to open before the end of the month include:
  •  Capeen Creek Road (works have begun)
Residents in these areas that need assistance should contact the SES either by phone 132 500 or via the SES website https://www.ses.nsw.gov.au/
Council is still assessing its road network and appreciates your help in identifying problems. You can report issues by:

Kyogle Recovery Centre open Friday, Saturday and Sunday

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Kyogle Recovery Centre will be open from 9am-5pm on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday with the following services available:
  • Services NSW providing help with all State Government support services including Disaster Relief Grant applications (from 9am-5pm)
  • Business Concierge providing assistance to access the Flood Disaster Recovery for Small Businesses Grant (from 9am-5pm);
  • Services Australia providing help to access Disaster Recovery Allowance and Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment (from 10am-5pm);
  • Legal Aid providing information and support in regard to tenancy issues, insurance and financial hardship (from 9am-5pm)
  • DCJ Housing providing information on emergency housing and ongoing housing support (from 9am-5pm)
The Recovery Centre is located in the vacant shopfront at the Kyogle Memorial Institute Hall at 131 Summerland Way, Kyogle.

Kyogle Council roads update – afternoon 10 March

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One road was opened and another one was closed today as Council crews continue to work to provide residents on flood damaged roads with access.
Hootons Road was re-opened, while Dugans Road was closed. The closure is expected to be temporary.
Good news for Kyogle Road users. One lane of the road past the landslip on the Cawongla Range is expected to open to traffic tomorrow (Friday) afternoon. Traffic flow will be controlled by traffic lights.
Council plans to close Kyogle Road at the landslip site during business hours on weekdays so road crews can continue their work to remediate the landslip. It will close after school buses services have passed the site in the morning and will re-open in the afternoon to allow school buses through. It will then remain open until the following morning.
Council continues to work on the landslip on the Bruxner Highway at the Mallanganee Range, with the hope that the road may open sometime at the weekend.
Other roads that remain closed are:

• Paddys Flat Road (Council expects to be able to inspect the road tomorrow)

• Dyraaba Road (Council will begin grading the northern end of Dyraaba Road this week to make the alternate route safer)

• Lillian Rock Road (work will start next week)

• Tunglebung Creek Road

• Geneva Street, Kyogle

Roads (isolating residents) Council expects to open this week:
• Booths Road (works have begun)
Roads (isolating residents) Council expects to open before the end of the month include:
• Capeen Creek Road (works have begun)
Residents in these areas that need assistance should contact the SES either by phone 132 500 or via the SES website https://www.ses.nsw.gov.au/

Council is still assessing its road network and appreciates your help in identifying problems. You can report issues by:
• Calling Kyogle Council business hours 02 6632 1611 after hours and emergency number 02 6626 6800
• Emailing council@kyogle.nsw.gov.au

Kyogle Council roads update – morning 10 March 2022

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There are now just eight flood damaged roads that remain closed with detours in place.

These roads are:

  • Bruxner Highway at the Mallanganee Range (works have begun, may open at the weekend)
  • Kyogle Road at the Cawongla Range (works have begun on a side track)
  • Paddys Flat Road (water still over the road)
  • Dyraaba Road (Council will begin grading the northern end of Dyraaba Road later this week to make the alternate route safer)
  • Lillian Rock Road (work will start next week)
  • Hootons Road (works have begun)
  • Tunglebung Creek Road
  • Geneva Street, Kyogle

Roads (isolating residents) Council expects to open this week:

  • Booths Road (works have begun)

Roads (isolating residents) Council expects to open before the end of the month include:

  • Capeen Creek Road (works have begun)

Residents in these areas that need assistance should contact the SES either by phone 132 500 or via the SES website https://www.ses.nsw.gov.au/

Council is still assessing its road network and appreciates your help in identifying problems. You can report issues by:

 

Kyogle Council roads update – afternoon 9 March 2022

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Council has re-opened Pines and Tabulam Roads today. There are now nine flood damaged roads that remain closed with detours in place.

These roads are:

  •  Bruxner Highway at the Mallanganee Range (works have begun, may open at the weekend)
  •  Kyogle Road at the Cawongla Range (works have begun on a side track)
  •  Paddys Flat Road
  •  Dyraaba Road (Council will begin grading the northern end of Dyraaba Road later this week to make the alternate route safer)
  •  Lillian Rock Road
  •  Hootons Road (works will start this week)
  •  Tunglebung Creek Road
  •  Geneva Street, Kyogle
  •  Baileys Bridge Road

Roads (isolating residents) Council opened today are:

  • Sandy Creek Road
  • The Risk Road (although works will continue over the coming days)

Roads (isolating residents) Council expects to open this week:

  • Booths Road (works have begun)

Roads (isolating residents) Council expects to open before the end of the month include:

  • Capeen Creek Road (works have begun)

Residents in these areas that need assistance should contact the SES either by phone 132 500 or via the SES website https://www.ses.nsw.gov.au/

Council is still assessing its road network and appreciates your help in identifying problems. You can report issues by:

Kyogle Council roads update – morning 9 March

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The situation with Council roads has not changed overnight. Council is continuing to work on flood damaged roads that remain closed with detours in place.

These roads are:

  • Bruxner Highway at the Mallanganee Range (works have begun, may open at the weekend)
  • Kyogle Road at the Cawongla Range (works have begun on a side track)
  • Paddys Flat Road
  • Pines Road (works have begun, expected to re-open today)
  • Dyraaba Road (Council will begin grading the northern end of Dyraaba Road later this week to make the alternate route safer)
  • Lillian Rock Road
  • Tabulam Road (works have begun, expected to re-open today)
  • Hootons Road (works will start this week)
  • Tunglebung Creek Road
  • Geneva Street, Kyogle

Roads (isolating residents) Council which are expected to be re-opened this week are:

  • Lofts Pinnacle Road (works started yesterday)
  • Gabal Road (works expected to start today)
  • The Risk Road (works have begun)
  • Booths Road (works have begun)
  • Sandy Creek Road

Roads (isolating residents) Council expects to open before the end of next week include:

  • Capeen Creek Road (works have begun)

Residents in these areas that need assistance should contact the SES either by phone 132 500 or via the SES website https://www.ses.nsw.gov.au/

Council is still assessing its road network and appreciates your help in identifying problems. You can report issues by:

Residents are asked to still avoid all non-essential travel as we work to restore access and keep up to date with information as it comes to hand at https://www.livetraffic.com/

Kyogle Recovery Centre open

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The Kyogle Recovery Centre is operating from the vacant shop at the Kyogle Memorial Hall at 131 Summerland Way, Kyogle.
It will be open the following dates and times over the coming week:
  •  Wednesday, 9 March from 9am to 5pm
  •  Thursday, 10 March, 9am to 6pm
  •  Friday, 11 March 9am to 5pm
  •  Saturday, 12 March 9am to 5pm
  •  Sunday, 13 March 9am to 5pm
  •  Monday, 14 March 9am to 5pm
Services available at the Recovery Centre tomorrow (Wednesday) are:
  •  DCJ Housing
  •  Mental Health
  •  Services Australia
  •  Services NSW
  •  Services NSW Business Concierge
  • Red Cross
  • Rural Financial Counselling Service (providing help with grant and loan applications) from 11am-3pm.
Council will post daily updates on available services.

Bruxner Highway – Mallanganee slip update – 8 March 2022

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If work to clear the landslip on the Bruxner Highway at the Mallanganee Range continues at its current rate, there is a chance the road will re-open to traffic at the weekend.
If it does not open this weekend, it will re-open by no later than next Friday.
Specialist crews and equipment were on site yesterday (Monday) to deal with the unstable material and large vegetation above the roadway, which was making it unsafe to clean-up of the slip. This crew are now working with Council crews and contractors to remove the slip material and clear the roadway.
The road remains closed until such time as this work is completed. The detour that is suitable for through traffic is along the Summerland Way via Casino and Kyogle, then Mount Lindesay Road to Woodenbong, and then Clarence Way via Bonalbo and through to the Bruxner Highway.
The inconvenience this presents for many residents and local businesses is unfortunate, however Transport for NSW and Council are working together with our contractors to open the road as fast as can possibly be done safely.
There has already been too many lives lost during this disaster, and neither Transports for NSW nor Council will put more lives at risk by allowing road users to access this area when it is not safe, or by undertaking works in a manner that does not adequately protect those workers involved.
There has been much said about the use of Bulmers Road over Hogarth Range as an alternate route to the Bruxner Highway to get vehicles around this slip area, and to allow people to avoid the inconvenience of the identified detour. This road has parts in Kyogle Council area, Richmond Valley Council area, and a section through the Mallanganee National Park. This road is not of a standard that is suitable for it to be used by heavy vehicles or high volumes of traffic. The road is only suitable for use by the local traffic, and it has been signposted as such, and a reduced speed limit imposed, to reinforce this to all road users. National Parks are looking to put in place traffic lights today to control vehicle movements through the narrow section within the Mallanganee National Park.
The promotion and use of this road by other than local traffic is irresponsible and has the potential to place lives in danger. In the interests of public safety, all non-essential travel from one side of the Mallanganee Range to the other should be avoided, and any essential travel needs to be via the identified detour along the Summerland Way and Clarence Way despite the inconvenience that may cause.

Kyogle Council roads update – afternoon 8 March 2022

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Council is continuing to work on flood damaged roads that remain closed with detours in place.

These roads are:

  • Bruxner Highway at the Mallanganee Range (works have begun, may open at the weekend)
  • Kyogle Road at the Cawongla Range (works have begun on a side track)
  • Paddys Flat Road
  • Pines Road (works have begun, expected to be open tomorrow)
  • Dyraaba Road (Council will begin grading the northern end of Dyraaba Road later this week to make the alternate route safer)
  • Lillian Rock Road
  • Tabulam Road (works have begun, expected to be open tomorrow)
  • Hootons Road (works will start this week)
  • Tunglebung Creek Road
  • Geneva Street, Kyogle

Roads (isolating residents) Council opened today are:

  • Lofts Pinnacle Road (works started today)
  • Gabal Road (works start tomorrow)

Roads (isolating residents) Council expects to open this week:

  • The Risk Road (works have begun)
  • Booths Road (works have begun)
  • Sandy Creek Road

Roads (isolating residents) Council expects to open before the end of next week include:

  • Capeen Creek Road (works have begun)

Residents in these areas that need assistance should contact the SES either by phone 132 500 or via the SES website https://www.ses.nsw.gov.au/

Council is still assessing its road network and appreciates your help in identifying problems. You can report issues by:

Residents are asked to still avoid all non-essential travel as we work to restore access and keep up to date with information as it comes to hand at https://www.livetraffic.com/

Kyogle Council roads update – morning 8 March 2022

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KYOGLE COUNCIL ROADS UPDATE – MORNING 8 MARCH 2022

Nine roads remained closed with detours in place.

They are:

  • Bruxner Highway at the Mallanganee Range (works have begun)
  • Kyogle Road at the Cawongla Range (works have begun)
  • Paddys Flat Road
  • Pines Road (works have begun)
  • Dyraaba Road (Council will begin grading the northern end of Dyraaba Road later in the week to make the alternate route safer)
  • Lillian Rock Road
  • Tabulam Road (works have begun)
  • Hootons Road
  • Tunglebung Creek Road

These roads will become Council’s priority once we have restored access to the remaining isolated residents.

Transport for NSW are managing the Bruxner Highway landslip on the Mallanganee Range.  A detour is available via Woodenbong.

Work has started on a side track on Kyogle Road at the Cawongla Range.

Please note that The Summerland Way at Burnetts Creek is down to one lane under traffic control lights due to a landslip.

Roads (isolating residents) Council expects to open before the end of this week include:

  • Lofts Pinnacle Road (works started today)
  • Gabal Road (works start tomorrow)
  • The Risk Road (works have begun)

Roads (isolating residents) Council expects to open before the end of next week include:

  • Capeen Creek Road (works have begun)

Residents in these areas that need assistance should contact the SES either by phone 132 500 or via the SES website https://www.ses.nsw.gov.au/

Council is still assessing its road network and appreciates your help in identifying problems. You can report issues by:

Residents are asked to still avoid all non-essential travel as we work to restore access and keep up to date with information as it comes to hand at https://www.livetraffic.com/

Kyogle Roads Update – afternoon 7 March 2022

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KYOGLE COUNCIL ROADS UPDATE – AFTERNOON 7 MARCH 2022
There are now just nine road closures with detours in place, with Williams Road re-opened at Barkers Bridge.
They are:
  • Bruxner Highway at the Mallanganee Range (works have begun)
  • Kyogle Road at the Cawongla Range (works have begun)
  • Paddys Flat Road
  • Pines Road (works have begun)
  • Dyraaba Road
  • Lillian Rock Road
  • Tabulam Road (works have begun)
  • Hootons Road
These roads will become Council’s priority once we have restored access to the remaining isolated residents.
Transport for NSW is managing the Bruxner Highway landslip on the Mallanganee Range. A detour is available via Woodenbong.
Work will start on Kyogle Road at the Cawongla Range tomorrow. The detour for Kyogle Road is via Lismore and Stoney Chute.
Please note that The Summerland Way at Burnetts Creek is down to one lane under traffic control lights due to a landslip.
Local roads that were closed, isolating residents, and which were opened today are:
  •  Simpkins Creek Road

Roads (isolating residents) Council expects to open before the end of this week include:

  • Lofts Pinnacle Road (works start tomorrow)
  • Gabal Road (works start tomorrow)
  • The Risk Road (works have begun)
Roads (isolating residents) Council expects to open before the end of next week include:
  • Capeen Creek Road
  • Wynlea Road (works have begun)
Residents in these areas that need assistance should contact the SES either by phone 132 500 or via the SES website https://www.ses.nsw.gov.au/
Council is still assessing its road network and appreciates your help in identifying problems. You can report issues by:
Residents are asked to still avoid all non-essential travel as we work to restore access and keep up to date with information as it comes to hand at https://www.livetraffic.com/

Flood disaster assistance – updated 7 March 2022

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For information on all available disaster assistance, please call Service NSW on 13 77 88 or visit https://www.service.nsw.gov.au/floods/financial-assistance
Service NSW customer care specialists can help connect flood-affected customers with services and support information including:
  • access to emergency accommodation
  • relevant charitable services
  • mental health and wellbeing services
  • financial assistance
  • insurance and legal advice
  • replacing lost identification.

Types of Financial Assistance Available

The Disaster Relief Grant helps people to recover from the effects of a disaster and re-establish a basic standard of living. It is not provided to replace insurance or compensate for losses. You may be eligible for financial support if the following apply:

  • your home (primary place of residence) was damaged by a natural disaster
  • you do not have insurance for the damage
  • you are a low-income earner with limited financial resources
  • it has been less than four months since the disaster.

Phone 13 77 88 and ask about the Disaster Relief Grant administered by Resilience NSW.

This is an NSW Government grant, available at any time to eligible individuals or households. It is administered by Resilience NSW. For further details follow this link.

Disaster Recovery Payment: $1,000 for adults and $400 for children
The Disaster Recovery Payment is a one-off, non-means tested payment of $1,000 for adults and $400 for children, who have been seriously injured, lost their homes or whose homes have been directly damaged, or the immediate family members of a person who has lost their life, as a direct result of the storms and floods. This is an Australian Government disaster assistance payment.
Visit Services Australia by following this link to find out if you are eligible or phone 180 22 66.

Disaster recovery funding and business support

The NSW Government and Australian Government are working together to provide flood assistance and support.
Over 70 local government areas (LGAs) have been declared disaster areas since November 2021 and are eligible for support.

The assistance available includes:

  • concessional interest rate loans for small businesses, primary producers and not-for-profit organisations
  • freight subsidies for primary producers.

Businesses impacted by storms and floods from January to March 2022 can request to be notified when financial support is available from the NSW Government by completing an online form.

For more information and to stay up to date on all available business support, please visit the storms and floods business information hub on the Service NSW website.

Flood affected land managers – stock and infrastructure assistance

Local Land Services teams are on the ground to help connect land managers with the services and support they need right now.

The NSW Department of Primary Industries and Local Land Services work together to manage the effects of emergencies on agriculture, livestock and our community as Agriculture and Animal Services Functional Area – AASFA.

They offer a dedicated hotline for producers to call to report damage and stock losses, as well as request assistance. The AASFA Hotline is 1800 814 647.

Available help includes:

  • Emergency fodder
  • Veterinary assistance
  • Stock destruction and burial
  • Livestock feeding and management advice.

Primary producers who are now starting to gain access to their paddocks are encouraged to report damage, including stock and fodder losses, as well as damage to farms, fencing and other farm infrastructure.

Animal Welfare

Floodwaters and wet conditions can cause a wide range of livestock health issues, even for some time after the waters have subsided.
Livestock that have been standing in water for some time, or that have been submerged, are most at risk of developing disease issues and should be monitored closely.

Staff will assess animals and euthanise those that are too badly injured for treatment in consultation with the owner. Animals may still require care by a commercial veterinarian rather than government vets once assessed. Any ongoing treatment required by a commercial veterinarian will be at the cost of the owner.

Safe disposal of drowned livestock

Members of the public who encounter a deceased animal can report it to the Agriculture and Animal Services hotline on 1800 814 647.

Fences down / fence repair

Where damaged fencing creates an immediate public safety hazard, landholders should contact the Agricultural and Animal Services Hotline on 1800 814 647.

Primary producers whose fencing has been damaged may be eligible for Special Disaster Grants of up to $75,000 to help with the cost of repairs. Contact the NSW Rural Assistance Authority for more details on 1800 678 593.

Funding for landholders – Loans, Grants, Subsidies 

NSW Rural Assistance Authority (RAA) 1800 678 593 is administering the following:

Funding arrangements for declared natural disasters with category explanations are listed here> https://www.raa.nsw.gov.au/disaster-assistance/declarations

SES flood assistance

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Anyone requiring flood assistance (food supplies, medical emergencies), should contact the SES either by phone 132 500 or via the SES website https://www.ses.nsw.gov.au/

If your communications are out and all you have is Facebook, the Northern Rivers SES Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/NSWSESRichmondTweed is being monitored and you can leave a comment that includes your name, address contact details and assistance required for the SES to action.

Rates Payments

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Concerned ratepayers have been contacting Council regarding the payment of rates which were due yesterday.
Please rest assured, you will not be penalised for not being able to make a payment during this extreme weather event.
Council’s administration building is temporarily closed to the public, but you can make rates payments via Council’s website, at the Post Office or electronically.
Residents are encouraged to report issues by:
* Calling Kyogle Council business hours 02 6632 1611 after hours and emergency number 02 6626 6800
* email at council@kyogle.nsw.gov.au
* on line form that can be found here: https://www.kyogle.nsw.gov.au/council-engagement/jobs-news-community-feedback/contact/

Clarence Way roadworks – community update

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Council has been undertaking a major upgrade of the Clarence Way for the full length between the local government boundary near Urbenville through to Woodenbong since mid 2021.
The project was made possible by $3 million in funding from the NSW Government and $2 million from the Australian Government, with Council contributing up to $2 million to allow the full length to be completed.
Construction works on site have currently been paused due to an issue identified with the final layer of pavement material. Council is working closely with its suppliers and contractors to verify the exact nature of the issue and the treatment required.
There have been delays to this process due to a number of factors including those normally associated with the end of year period, positive cases of Covid affecting key contractors required to complete the necessary testing and sampling, and of course the extended period of wet weather.
Council wishes to reassure the community that it remains focused on rectifying these issues as soon as possible so that the project can be completed as originally planned.
We also take this opportunity to thank the community for their patience and apologise for the extended delays in completing the project, and any inconvenience caused during this period.

Koala friendly carbon farming

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WWF-Australia has partnered with Climate Friendly in a new environmental plantings initiative to support landholders to establish koala-friendly carbon farming projects.
Koala Friendly carbon farming can help to restore thousands of hectares of koala habitat, increasing biodiversity and helping to reverse the decline of koalas and other threatened species.
This is an exciting project which enables a landholder to potentially receive an income from growing trees.
The main requirement is land that is suitable for planting koala habitat, has a reasonable carbon yield and is at least 25 ha.
The WWF is providing the trees, labour and ongoing maintenance for three years and monitoring.
For further information about the program, email WWF Australia Landscape Restoration Project Manager Tanya Pritchard tpritchard@wwf.org.au

Public consultation period for Kyogle CBD Masterplan extended

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In response to strong ongoing community interest, Council is extending the public exhibition period for the revised Kyogle CBD Masterplan until Friday, 18 February 2022.
In addition, during this period, Council will hold a further pop-up consultation event following the success of the last session in December – details and timing of this new session will be provided soon.
In the meantime, Council thanks everyone who has taken the time to share their views on the proposals so far and looks forward to further conversations with the community over coming weeks.

New Council elects Mayor

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Kyogle Council has three new Councillors as well as a new Mayor and Deputy Mayor.

The new councillors elected at the 4 December local government elections are Robert Cullen (B Ward) and Tom Cooper and James Murray (C Ward).

They will join the six re-elected Councillors: Janet Wilson, Kylie Thomas and Hayden Doolan (A Ward); John Burley and Maggie May (B Ward); and Danielle Mulholland (C Ward).

The new Council met for the first time on 5 January and elected Cr Kylie Thomas as Mayor and Cr Tom Cooper as Deputy Mayor. They will serve in the positions for the next two years.

Cr Thomas replaces Cr Danielle Mulholland as Mayor. Cr Cooper replaces Cr John Burley as Deputy Mayor.

Council to apply for special rate variation

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Kyogle Council will apply for a special rate variation for 2022-2023 to cover a budget shortfall created by the lower than expected rate peg limit.

Council voted unanimously at its 5 January Extraordinary Meeting to seek approval for a rate rise of 2.5 per cent – 1.8 percent above the 0.7 pegged rate.

The Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) sent a shockwave through local government late last year when it announced the rate peg limit of 0.7 percent for 2022-2023. It is the lowest increase in the rate peg in 20 years and was far lower than the majority of councils expected.

Kyogle Council had budgeted for a rate peg rise of 2.5 percent based on IPART’s own recommendations at the time.

In a report to the 5 January 2022 Extraordinary Meeting, General Manager Graham Kennett said a 0.7 percent rate increase would not cover inflationary increases, with fuel costs nearly doubling in the past six months and the cost of building and constructions materials exploding.

“For Kyogle Council this decision (pegging the rate increase to just 0.7 per cent) means a loss of $136,000 from next year’s budget, and a reduction in total income of $2.13 million over the 12 years remaining in the Long Term Financial Plan (LTFP), due to the compounding effect of the loss of the income from next year,” Mr Kennett said.

“This potentially puts jobs and services at risk, and even the economic stimulus projects and programs supported by other levels of government, such as the Fixing Country Bridges Program, for which Council has had to borrow in order to fund its share.”

If the 2.5 percent rate rise is approved, the average ratepayer will pay an extra 50 cents a week or  $26 a year more.

Council is seeking community input on the special rate variation and will accept submissions from the public up until 4pm Monday, 31 January. Submissions can be emailed to council@kyogle.nsw.gov.au or sent to Kyogle Council, PO Box 11, Kyogle, NSW, 2474.