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Tabulam, Jubullum and Drake bushfires – Community Recovery Newsletter No 3

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To read the third Bushfire Recovery Newsletter produced by Office of Emergency Management, please click here.

The newsletter provides wide ranging information and advice for people impacted by the fires and includes details about new disaster relief  assistance announced on 25 February by the Federal Government, the phone number for agencies providing mental health care, animal welfare, housing assistance, small business assistance and legal assistance as well as advice for people whose cars have been written off as a result of the fires.

This edition of the newsletter also has advice on cleaning up after the fires, and information on how people can access emergency water supplies for homes and livestock.

 

Domestic water assistance available for bushfire affected householders

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If your potable water has been used by a fire fighting agency to fight the recent bushfires, you may be eligible to have it replaced.

This assistance is for residential properties in rural areas. Disaster Welfare is working with NSW RFS to identify impacted properties.

Applications for assistance must be lodged by 30 April 2019. Call the Disaster Welfare Assistance Line on 1800 018 444 (Mon-Fri 8.30am-4.30pm) for more information.

Residents seeking the clean-up and refilling of water systems will need to lodge an application with Public Works Advisory who will be carrying out eligibility assessments. These applications must also be lodged by 30 April 2019.

Further information on the eligibility criteria, and application forms can be obtained by calling the Disaster Welfare Assistance Line on 1800 018 444, or from the Recovery Assistance Point at Tabulam Community Hall.

Tabulam, Jubullum, Drake bushfires – Community Recovery Newsletter No 2

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To read the second Bushfire Recovery Newsletter produced by Office of Emergency Management, please click here.

The newsletter provides wide ranging information and advice for people impacted by the fires and includes the phone number for agencies providing mental health care, disaster relief grants, animal welfare, housing assistance, small business assistance, legal assistance and advice for people whose cars have been written off as a result of the fires.

 

Using rainwater after a bushfire and the use of fire retardants

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Using rainwater after a bushfire

The following information is provided to residents where rainwater tanks may have been contaminated either indirectly by ash, smoke, debris or directly by fire and fire fighting activities.

How can I tell if my rainwater tank has been contaminated?
Assume that your rainwater is contaminated if it:

  • tastes or smells unusual
  • is cloudy
  • has an unusual colour
  • contains debris, or
  • if the water level has changed (increased).

Do not use contaminated rainwater for drinking, prepare foods, making ice, washing, bathing or cleaning teeth (or watering animals)— until it is tested by a National Association of Testing Authorities (NATA) accredited chemical laboratory—if:

  • you think that your roof was covered by fire suppressant water either dropped by aircraft or sprayed from ground units
  • your rainwater has become contaminated by ash
  • your rainwater tank has been burnt by fire and the internal lining material is damaged
  • if the plumbing to or from the tank is damaged.

For further information about the use of firefighting retardants, click here.

You can use contaminated rainwater for

If you think that your rainwater tank has been contaminated by either of the ways mentioned above, you can still use the water to:

  • flush toilets
  • water the garden
  • wash clothes (providing it will not stain clothes)
  • wash cars
  • fight fires.

Care should be exercised before using any contaminated rainwater to fill swimming pools or in evaporative air conditioners as ash and other debris may clog filters and pumps. Contact the manufacturer for more advice.

Can I treat rainwater if it has been contaminated?

No, it is extremely difficult and potentially expensive to remove effectively any contamination caused by fire suppressants or any other potentially harmful by products caused by ash from burnt bush, plastics and metals.

First rains

It is important for residents in fire affected areas or in areas where ash may have fallen on roofs to ensure that all rainwater from the first good rain fall event is not collected as this may be contaminated by ash.

Source:  adapted from information provided by Western Australia Department of Public Health

Youth Week

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Youth Week is fast approaching. This year, the NSW Youth Week theme is: Coming together to Connect, Share, Speak out, and Celebrate. The theme was decided by the NSW Youth Advisory Council 2018. Youth Week will run from 10-18 April 2019.

To celebrate NSW Youth Week this year, the Office of the Advocate for Children and Young People (ACYP) is inviting young people between 12 and 24 years of age to enter the NSW Youth Week Design Competition.

The winner will be presented with an award and will receive shoe slides with their design printed on them for themself, their family and friends at the NSW Youth Week Forum at NSW Parliament House on Monday 8 April 2019.

Designs can include drawings, paintings, photographs and digital illustrations. It’s not about being a good artist, it’s about young people showing us what inspires them.

For any young people interested in entering, or who would like to learn more about Youth Week, please visit the link below.

Entries close Sunday 17 March 2019.

To learn more about Youth Week or to find activities visit: www.youthweek.nsw.gov.au.

 

Tabulam bushfire — help and advice

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A series of fact sheets have been developed to help people affected by the Tabulam bushfires.
They have been developed by Red Cross and the NSW Disaster Recovery Team and cover a range of topics from how to look after yourself after the crisis has passed to information on housing assistance, animal welfare, legal assistance, disaster relief grants for individuals and disaster relief for farmers.
They can all be downloaded by clicking in the links below:

Tabulam bushfire recovery information

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A fact sheet on help available for people affected by the Tabulam bushfires has been developed by the NSW Disaster Recovery Team.
It contains information on housing assistance, animal welfare, legal assistance, disaster relief grants for individuals and disaster relief for farmers.
To view the fact sheet, click here.

Fire Recovery Centre set up at Tabulam Hall

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The Recovery Centre at Tabulam Hall for people affected by the Tabulam fires will be open today until 8pm.

It will also be open tomorrow (Saturday) and Sunday from 9am-4pm.

People affected by fires can collect food hampers and clothing from the Recovery Centre as well as receive personal support.

People wanting to help also can leave donations of food and household goods at the hall.

An Animal Welfare Centre has been set up at the Tabulam Rural Store and will be open today until 5pm.

It will also open tomorrow (Saturday) from 8am-5pm.

The centre will be staffed by Local Land Services personnel who will be able to provide assistance and support on animal welfare issues. People can also call a 24-hour animal welfare hotline on 1800 814 647.

Donations of fodder or other farm goods can be left at the Tabulam Rural Store.

Returning home after a bushfire

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If you were evacuated, or were unable to return home as a result of the Tabulam bushfire, there are a number of practical and emotional things to consider when you are ready or allowed to return home.
This information sheet prepared by the Australian Red Cross provides some tips on what you may encounter and the things you may need to consider.

Should you require further information about disaster relief in relation to the fire, please call the Office of Emergency Management’s hotline on 1800 227 228.

 

 

Disaster assistance available for people affected by Tabulam bushfire

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Disaster assistance has been made available for Tabulam and district communities affected by the bushfires.

Assistance has been provided through the jointly funded Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA).

A range of assistance is now available to help people who have been affected by the bushfires as well as funding for operational response activities.

Assistance measures available under the DRFA may include:
– help for eligible people whose homes or belongings have been damaged;
– support for affected local councils to help with the costs of cleaning up and restoring damaged essential public assets;
– concessional interest rate loans for small businesses, primary producers, and non-profit companies;
– freight subsidies for primary producers; and
– grants for eligible non-profit organisations.

For information on personal hardship and distress assistance, contact the Disaster Welfare Assistance Line on 1800 227 228.

To apply for a concessional loan, grant or freight subsidy, contact the NSW Rural Assistance Authority on 1800 678 593 or visit www.raa.nsw.gov.au

Further information about disaster assistance is available on the Australian Government’s Disaster Assist website at www.disasterassist.gov.au and the NSW emergency information and response website at www.emergency.nsw.gov.au

For the latest information about the bushfire situation, go to www.rfs.nsw.gov.au, or call the bushfire information line on 1800 679 737.

Blue-green algae Red Alert issued for Toonumbar Dam

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Bells Bay Camp Ground at Toonumbar Dam has been temporarily closed due to a blue green algae bloom and ongoing dry conditions.

Water NSW has issued a Red Alert warning (high alert) for blue-green algae after monitoring revealed high levels of the potentially toxic algae in the dam water.

A spokesperson for the Kyogle Fishing Club, which manages the Bells Bay Camp Ground,  said the algal bloom coupled with dangerous fire conditions prompted the decision to temporarily close the camp grounds.

It will re-open when both the algal bloom dissipates and the fire conditions improve. For further information, go to the Bells Bay Camp Ground Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/bellsbaycampground1/

The blue green algal Red Alert means that people should not undertake recreational activities such as swimming where they may come into direct contact with the water. Nor should they shower or wash in the water. Contact with the water may also pose a threat to livestock and pets.

The species of blue-green algae identified are potentially toxic and may cause gastroenteritis in humans if consumed and skin and eye irritations after contact. Boiling the water does not remove algal toxins.

People are advised not to enter the water, drink untreated water or bathe in water drawn from the dam while this red alert level warning is in place. Town water supplies remain unaffected and safe to drink.

Livestock owners are reminded to continue to check stock water supplies for blue-green algae and to remove stock from foreshores where surface scum is visible or blue-green algae are suspected.

Blue-green algae usually appear as green paint-like scums on the water, near the edges, or as greenish clumps throughout the water. It makes the water appear dirty, green or discoloured and generally has a strong musty or earthy odour. People should not eat mussels or crayfish from Red Alert warning areas. Any fish caught should be cleaned and washed thoroughly in uncontaminated water and any internal organs disposed of before consumption.

It is not possible to predict how long the algae will remain at high levels. Regular monitoring will continue, and the alert will be lifted as soon as the high levels of algae dissipate. To find out the latest information on the algae bloom, call 1800 999 457 or visiting – www.waternsw.com.au/water-quality/algae

$4.2 million in State Government funds for Clarence Way upgrade

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There were smiles all round following the announcement this morning that the State Government will provide $4.2 million so Council can seal the final 15km gravel section of the Clarence Way.

The funding, through the Government’s Fixing Country Roads Program, was announced by retiring Member for Lismore Thomas George and Nationals’  Candidate for the seat Austin Curtin.

The $4.2 million will be added to the $3.55 million already committed to the project by the Federal Government.

“The Clarence Way is one of Tabulam’s major link roads, connecting farming enterprises at Tabulam to markets in Queensland and south to Grafton. This funding will seal and stabilise the last section of dirt road, making it safer for the many freight and transport companies which drive on it, Mr George said.

“With five major agri-businesses operating around Tabulam, it’s vital that roads and services are maintained to allow their operations to grow.”

The sealing of the Clarence Way is part of Kyogle Council’s Tabulam Agriculture Precinct. This project aims to upgrade roads, bridges, water and sewerage at Tabulam, allowing the community to handle an increase in business activity and population into the future.

Kyogle Council Mayor Cr Danielle Mulholland described the $4.2 million funding injection as a “fantastic outcome for the community” after years of planning.

“Council could not have achieved this success without the community’s support in preparing a business case for the project,” she said.

“As I have said before, everyone wins when the State and Federal Governments work in hand in hand with Council on projects such as this that provide the community with real and lasting outcomes.

“It’s also good to see our rural communities getting the type of infrastructure that will help bring their standard of living up to those people living in more populated areas.”

Work on the road upgrade will start later this year.

 

Greening Kyogle’s Main Street project officially opened

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Kyogle Council Mayor Cr Danielle Mulholland and Member for Lismore watered one of the new garden beds in Kyogle’s main street to officially open the Greening Kyogle Main Street project this morning.

The $180,000 project involved planting native trees and plants in garden beds along Summerland Way and large street trees in the centre parking aisle. Sixteen planter boxes and seats also were installed in the CBD and the existing garden beds were revitalised and replanted.

The additional vegetation in the main street aims to cool and soften the CBD and improve the overall appearance.

Kyogle Council Mayor Cr Danielle Mulholland said the community had almost universally embraced the Greening Main Street Project.

“The greening of Kyogle’s main street has been in the works for some time and follows two years consulting with the local business community,” she said.

“Council is also looking at greening certain villages as part of its Visions of the Villages program.

“It’s always easier to deliver on such plans when the State or Federal Government partner with Council to deliver these real outcomes for communities.

“The feedback from the community has been incredibly positive and this project will be part of a broader town beautification program we are undertaking.”

The project was funded jointly by the NSW Government’s Stronger Country Communities Fund ($100,000) and Kyogle Council ($80,000).

After the official opening, those attending the event were invited to inspect the progress of the Kyogle Memorial Institute (KMI) Revitalisation Project.

It involves the refurbishment of the upstairs area of the KMI to accommodate the Roxy Gallery, installation of a lift, and the reinstatement of the original entry and foyer. The project is expected to be completed early in the New Year.

 

 

Work at the NSW State election in 2019

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The NSW Electoral Commission is encouraging people to apply to work at the NSW State election. For more information go to elections.nsw.gov.au/working_at_elections

 

Council approves 25 community grants

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Kyogle Council has approved financial assistance grants totalling more than $30,000 to a host of community, service and sporting organisations as well as four individuals.

The 25 one-off grants were awarded under Council’s Community Assistance Policy and ranged from $400 to $5,000.

The grants are targeted at organisations and individuals working in the areas of welfare, community involvement/social interaction, sports and recreation, the arts, youth affairs, senior citizens affairs and cultural assistance.

Kyogle Council Mayor Cr Danielle Mulholland said while the grants were for relatively small amounts, they had a big impact on local communities.

“For example, a grant to the Woodenbong Progress Association will help it buy coin operated laundry appliances for the Woodenbong Camp Grounds making it a far more attractive stop-over for campers and tourists alike,” she said.

“Another grant will help Kyogle Youth Action re-establish the Kyogle Community Radio Station to provide young people with training options and pathways to employment while giving community members the chance to have their voices heard and share stories and local news.”

Council also approved two further grants for local events through its economic development fund.

Successful grant applicants were:

  • Louisa Johnston Training Centre Incorporated $1,000;
  • Save Our Services Upper Clarence Health Committee Inc $1,000;
  • RSL NSW Bonalbo sub-Branch $401;
  • Ettrick Hall Committee $1,000;
  • Bundgeam Preschool Inc $995;
  • Kyogle Karate Club $1,000;
  • Woodenbong Progress Association $3,685;
  • The Risk Hall Committee $5,000;
  • Cawongla Playhouse Inc $2,414;
  • Kyogle Track and Trail Mountain Bike Club $1,000;
  • Rotary Club of Kyogle Inc $1,000;
  • Kyogle Public School P&C Association $806;
  • Kyogle Touch Football Association $1,000; B
  • Boomerang Bags Kyogle $1,000;
  • Kyogle Creative and Performing Arts Association $500;
  • Tabulam Branch CWA $1,750;
  • Bonalbo and District Community Hall Association Inc $849;
  • Grevillia Hall Committee $1,000;
  • Kyogle Together Inc (Kyogle Youth Action) $1,000;
  • Kyogle Landcare $1,000;
  • Kyogle Fishing Club $1,000;
  • Leeanne Ferguson $500;
  • Robyn Job $500;
  • Emily Weston $500;
  • Cloe Fleming $500.

Two of the individuals to receive grants, Emily West and Cloe Fleming, have been selected in the Australian 15 years girls futsal team and will use the grant to help cover travel costs to Brazil.

Leeanne Ferguson’s grant will allow her to attend a teacher of swimming course, while Robyn Job’s grant will cover part of the costs of an accredited Lift for Life Training Course.

The two events to receive funding were the Fairymount Festival $5,000 and the Tabulam Races $1,000.

Neve wins Trainee of the Year Award

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Kyogle’s Neve Petherbridge has been named NovaSkill’s School Based Trainee of the Year at the organisation’s annual award presentation night.

Neve has been working at Kyogle Council one day a week as a school-based trainee for the past two years while undertaking Years 11 and 12 at Kyogle High School. She has also successfully completed a Certificate III in Business.

Neve was nominated for the award by her colleagues at Kyogle Council who attended the award presentation together with Deputy Mayor Cr John Burley to show their support.

Congratulation Neve.

21 local projects receive grants through Stronger Country Communities Fund

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Kyogle Council will receive more than $1.3 million in State Government funding to breathe new life into community facilities throughout the local government area.

The Round 2 Stronger Country Communities Fund grants were announced by Member for Lismore Thomas George.

Twenty one projects which include upgrades to community halls, sports grounds, sporting facilities and public spaces will benefit from the grants.

Kyogle Council Mayor Cr Danielle Mulholland welcomed the funding boost and thanked Mr George for his support.

“The funding of these projects means that Council can now start delivering outcomes tied to our Visions of the Villages process where we went around to each village in our Council area and asked residents what was important to them,” she said.

“These projects were identified by the relevant communities as priority projects and I am so pleased to see the State Government fund them.”

Mr George congratulated Council on its application and said that every project that had received funding was important in attracting visitors and creating facilities to benefit the lives of people living in Kyogle and the villages.

The $300 million Stronger Country Communities Fund is part of the NSW Government’s $1.6 billion Regional Growth Fund.

The projects to be funded include:

Mallanganee Public Toilets, $50,000 – to demolish and replace the toilet block at the camping amenities.

Malllanganee Sports Ground Improvements, $129,263- to refurbish existing buildings, upgrade toilets and showers, upgrade the camp kitchen and water supply, re-seal internal roads, improve access and loop, remove depot fencing, create new pathways, refurbish the cricket net, and plant street trees.

Tabulam Sports Ground Improvements, $50,000- to refurbish the existing amenities building, replace the basketball hoop, expand the skate park, provide additional oval seating, and install outdoor gym equipment.

Tabulam Hall Improvements, $50,000 – to paint the interior,  polish the floor, undertake electrical and lighting upgrades, and refurbish the kitchen and storeroom.

Bonalbo Pool Improvements, $50,000-  to install accessible stairs into the pool, repaint the pool, and refurbish the amenities and grandstand.

Bonalbo Norman Johnson Park Improvements, $80,000 – to install an outdoor gym, car park, access roads, and connecting footpath; refurbish the existing skate park; remove the old hall building; install a BMX track; and paint murals on existing amenities buildings.

Bonalbo Caravan Park Improvements, $50,000- to provide better vehicular access onto Clarence Way, additional advanced notification signage, and refurbish existing amenities, and seal internal roads.

Bonalbo Hall Improvements, $50,000 – to paint the exterior, replace fire doors and access stairs, provide a ramp, install awnings over fire doors, improve connectivity to Patrick McNamee Park, and paint a mural on the hall wall that adjoins the park.

Old Bonalbo Pioneer Park Improvements, $57,905 – to replace the existing toilets with a new accessible unisex toilet (compost), seal the internal roadway, improve access, clean up damaged trees, refresh shelters, and install a small rainwater tank.

Old Bonalbo Footpaths, $50,000 – to install footpaths in Old Bonalbo to provide connectivity to the local shop and improve the existing footpath from the hall to the school. A new bin will also be installed near the local shop.

Old Bonalbo Hall Improvements, $50,000 – to repaint the interior, sand and seal the timber floor, and upgrade the septic system. 

Wiangaree Aboody Park Improvements, $50,000 – Improvements will include fencing along the highway, water and sewerage infrastructure for the existing public toilet, shade/trees at the playground, additional seating, and changes to the car park.

Wiangaree Hall Improvements, $50,000 – Improvements will include an electrical upgrade, new ceiling fans, upgraded and sealed driveway, replacement of boundary fencing, and refurbishment of doors.

Wiangaree Rodeo Ground, $70,000- to seal and improve the internal access road; install a new electric barbecue, stainless steel benches, outdoor picnic shelters, and seating; and make electrical and building repairs to the existing hall.

Woodenbong Sporting Improvements, $50,000 – to install accessible stairs at Woodenbong Public Pool, replace the pool diving blocks, install a powered shelter at the sports ground, construct shaded seating and undertake landscaping at the skate park to control parking, and creation of additional pathways.

Woodenbong Showground, $50,000 – Improvements will include an expanded amenities building and a new sewerage pump.

Woodenbong Hall, $55,000 – to install air conditioning at Woodenbong Hall.

Kyogle High School Sports Ground, $50,000 –  to refurbish existing amenities, improve access the road and parking area and improve existing kiosk.

Tourism signage across all villages and Kyogle, $140,000 – to install tourism/wayfinding signage in Kyogle, Mallanganee, Tabulam, Bonalbo, Old Bonalbo, Woodenbong, and Wiangaree. The signs will include indigenous cultural information, mobile phone coded information and directions to vehicle pullover areas.

Kyogle Rugby League Ground, $70,000 – to upgrade of lighting and undertake improvements to the club kitchen.

Kyogle Rifle Range Improvements, $75,000 – Improvements will include shade structures, amenities, and increased accessibility.

Another new bridge is opened!

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Members of the Christensen family joined Kyogle Council Mayor Danielle Mulholland and Member for Page Kevin Hogan to formally open the new Christensen Bridge on Afterlee Road last week.

Council received $311,500 through the Federal Government’s Bridge Renewal Program to construct the new steel truss bridge. It replaces an old timber bridge.

The new bridge will provide improved access to residents, local businesses, agricultural producers and tourists visiting the Murray Scrub World Heritage listed National Park and Toonumbar Dam.

About 30 people including Kyogle Council Deputy Mayor John Burley, students from Afterlee Public School, local residents and Council staff attended the opening.

Recycle household waste at Kyogle community recycling centre

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National Recycling Week runs from 12- 18 November and if you’re moving house, renovating your home or just having a spring clean you’ll probably have household problem waste such as unwanted paint, oils, batteries, fluorescent bulbs and gas bottles to dispose of.

The safe and environmentally friendly solution is to take them to the Community Recycling Centres (CRC), located at the Kyogle Waste Facility. There’s no charge to drop off these items, most of which will be recycled or reused. Last year more than 209 tonnes of household problem waste was dropped off at the eight CRCs across the region.

Jeanie McKillop, Coordinator of North East Waste said this type of waste was only a problem if it was placed into household bins or illegally dumped on kerbsides, parks or reserves where it could be hazardous to people and the environment.

“However, the solution is simple. Anyone can take household quantities of up to 20 litres or 20 kilos of these wastes to their Community Recycling Centre at anytime of the year for free,” she said.

“Residents should be aware that household chemicals such as pesticides, herbicides and pool chemicals are not accepted at the Kyogle Waste Facility and should instead be taken to one of the region’s designated ‘Household Hazardous Waste Stores’ the closest of which are located at either the Nammoona Waste Facility, Casino or the Lismore Recycling and Recovery Centre.”

For more information contact Council on 6632 1611 or visit www.newaste.org.au

If you would like to report an illegal dumping incident in the Kyogle Council local government area call the Council on 6632 1611 or report it online at www.ridonline.epa.nsw.gov.au

 

Go green, go electronic

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Why not cut down on paper and receive your rate installment notice electronically

You can do that by signing up to use one of the methods below:

BPay View – Log into your internet banking and register using your reference number printed on your recent notice.

eNotice – Log into Kyogle.enotices.com.au and register using the reference number printed on your recent notice.

Once you have registered, your future notices will be sent to you electronically.

You simply have to login to your internet banking or eNotices  (whichever option you chose for registration) to enable you to view and/or pay the bill.

A healthy future for Kyogle

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A health revolution is taking over Kyogle with the official unveiling of three new outdoor gyms.

The project, a joint initiative of the NSW Government, Kyogle Council and Kyogle Combined Service Clubs,  has also seen a new disabled toilet built at the netball courts, improvements to the town’s skate park and new fence installed at ANZAC Park Playground.

Member for Lismore Thomas George officially opened the project then joined Kyogle Council Mayor Danielle Mullholland and representatives from Lions, Rotary, Quota and CWA in testing out the new facilities.

Mr George said the initiative would provide free recreational opportunities for all community members and is the result of strong community collaboration.

“Through contributions from the NSW Government, Kyogle Council and the Kyogle Combined Service Clubs this community now have access to free state of the art public gym equipment.”

Mayor Mulholland has welcomed the community health benefits which will result from the completion of the project.

“Everyone can benefit from physical activities and research tells us that outdoor gyms provide opportunities for people to participate in moderate and vigorous intensity physical activities and muscle strengthening,” she said.

“I congratulate the service organisations in Kyogle who have partnered with Council to deliver these projects and I thank Mr George for his efforts lobbying to secure $100,000 funding from the Stronger Country Communities Fund and $44,500 from the Social Housing Community Improvement Fund,” she said.

Council slashes timber bridge inventory

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Kyogle Council has halved its ageing timber bridge inventory in less than 15 years and is on track to replace all its timber bridges by 2044.

In 2004, Council had 304 timber bridges, most of which were built in the 1940s and were reaching the end of their natural life.

Following the completion last week of another two new bridges – one on Afterlee Road and one on Williams Road – Council has just 148 timber bridges left to replace.

The incredible turn-around comes on the back of a detailed bridge management strategy adopted by Council and the development in 2014 of a Long Term Financial Plan in which Council aims to replace all its timber bridges in 30 years.

Council is currently on track to meet its zero timber bridge target by 2044 thanks to an ambitious bridge construction program and the replacement of many smaller bridges with concrete pipe culverts.

“Council has adopted an aggressive, multi-faceted approach to sourcing funding and delivering real outcomes for the community,” Kyogle Council Mayor Danielle Mulholland said.

“To that end, we could not have achieved the funding success we’ve had without the support of Federal Member for Page Kevin Hogan, who has argued our case in Canberra, and State Member for Lismore Thomas George who has lobbied Macquarie Street for us.

“Council now has only 148 bridges left to go and we’ll continue to pursue the funding necessary to continuously improve the infrastructure across the whole of the local government area.”

The two new bridges on Afterlee and Williams Road are dual lane steel truss bridges.

“The completion of these two bridges represent a significant milestone in Council’s overall bridge replacement strategy,” Council’s General Manager Graham Kennett said.

“Halving the number of timber bridges in a 15-year time frame should be seen as a major achievement and also provides confidence that the remaining program can be delivered on schedule.”

New amenities at Bells Bay Camp Ground

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The new amenities at the popular Bells Bay Camp Ground at Toonumbar Dam are now open to the public.

Built by Council as part of a wider project funded by the Council and the Federal Government, the two new composting toilets, with disabled access, are expected to make the site even more attractive to both locals and visitors.

Stage one of the project involved the sealing of the final gravel section of the road to the dam.

The new facilities replace two old pit toilets and will provide a much improved amenity for campers and day visitors to the dam, better environmental outcomes and greater accessibility.

The Bells Bay Camp Ground is managed by the Kyogle Fishing Club and is open during winter from 6am Friday to 5pm Sunday plus all NSW school and public holidays.

In summer, the camp ground is open from 6am Friday to 7.30pm Sunday and all NSW school and public holidays.

As well as the new amenities, the camp ground has:
• A boat ramp and jetty access to Toonumbar Dam (patrolled by RMS)
• Limited car parking
• Non-potable water
• Picnic tables and shelters
• Designated fire pits (except in total fire bans)

For further information about the Bells Bay Camping Ground, including camping fees and site rules, contact the Kyogle Fishing Club on 0459 383 498 or email kyoglefishingclub@gmail.com.

Greening Kyogle’s main street

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Kyogle Council Mayor Danielle Mulholland has helped plant the first of the street trees that are to go in Kyogle’s main street as part of the Greening the Main Street Program.

Large trees are being planted at 13 locations on the Summerland Way from the Wyangarie Street intersection to the entrance to the IGA supermarket.

All the trees bar one – a conifer that will become a living Christmas tree at the Stratheden Street intersection — will be natives.

Tree species to be planted will include Tulipwood, Lemon Myrtle, Native Gardenia, Hard Quondong and Eumundi Quondong.

The Council also is installing 16 planter boxes and seats in the main street and revitalising and replanting the 15 existing gardens in the centre aisle of the Summerland Way.

They too will be planted with native species including Kangaroo Paw, Hardenbergia, fan flowers (scaevola), grass trees (Xanthorrhoea Glauca), grevillea and native mint.

“The trees and new garden beds are aimed a cooling and beautifying Council’s central business district,” Cr Mulholland said.

The Greening the Main Street Program is being funded by the State Government’s Stronger Country Communities Fund. Work is expected to be completed by the end of September.

Disaster Recovery and Preparedness: Kyogle Community Conversation

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Red Cross will host a workshop on disaster recovery and preparedness in Kyogle on Tuesday 18 September and is inviting local community members and volunteers to come along.

It will be held in the Fellowship Hall, 14 Bloore Street, Kyogle, from 10am-2pm.

The workshop will  feature a presentation from the Red Cross National Recovery Adviser, Kate Brady.

Kate is a wonderful speaker, with a huge amount of experience to share. She will be speaking from 10am and, following her presentation, there will be a session on how the community can connect, prepare and recover well from natural disasters.

If you would like to attend, RSVP (for catering purposes) by 10 September to Cate on 6622 3361 or email cmartinez@redcross.org.au