Community Newsletter

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July 2011

2011/12 - 2014/15 Management Plan

Council’s 2011/12-2014/15 Management Plan which was

adopted by Council in June 2011 includes an overview of the

main sustainability issues facing the Shire and our community.

It identifies key priorities for the next four years and key

highlights are as follows:

1) Capital investment in local infrastructure to the value of

$761 000 including:

Pavement rehab (stage 1) of Tyringham Road Dorrigo

Reconstruction of the Diehappy Bridge on Darkwood Road

Construction of retaining wall at Hunter Street Repton

Drainage improvement works for North Street Dorrigo

Alignment improvement works on Deer Vale Road

2) Capital works improvements for our water and sewerage

systems to the value of approximately $1 million including

replacement of meters, new mains and renewals in Dorrigo

and Bellingen and a replication of the Trunk Main in Urunga.

3) Further investment in the delivery of alternative waste

treatment infrastructure to minimise waste to landfill and

extend the useful life of our landfill assets.

4) Capital upgrade of Council’s principal works depot at

Raleigh.

5) Construction of the William Street Youth Centre.

6) An investment of $40,000 to Council’s Revolving Energy

Fund with $30,000 being funded from projected savings

from a recently tendered Street Lighting Contract. These

funds will be used to ensure that Council progresses

towards the objectives of the Bellingen Energy Reduction

Plan (BERP) and the target of 40% reduction.

7) $30,000 towards implementation of projects within

Council’s Pedestrian access Mobility Plan as well as

development of a new bike plan.

8) Upgrade of Dangar Falls pathway Stage One including

improvement works to the pathway from the top of the falls

to the lower viewing platform within the reserve and

ongoing Bush Regeneration.

9) Implementation of ‘Connect with your River’, a project

funded by Council and the NSW Environmental Trust to

establish eight best practice on ground riparian zone

rehabilitation projects.

10) Our Environmental Levy at work sees funding of $217 000

for projects recommended by the Environment Advisory

Committee, including $28,000 to assist community groups

to achieve environmental outcomes through the Community

Fund and $50,000 for the the Weeds Action Project.

11) Mapping of the inundation of the estuarine reaches of the

shire through modelling different sea level rise scenarios in

order that we can understand and adapt to the effects of our

changing climate.

Hammond Street Retaining Wall

12) Preliminary funding toward the introduction of a Roadside

Vegetation Management Plan.

13) Ongoing contributions toward the operation of the North

Beach and Urunga Life Saving Clubs as well as the SES and

the RFS.

14) Funding toward the commitment to the Clarence Regional

Library Resource sharing imitative incorporating a per

capita increase of 8% to fund ongoing operating costs and

additional book stock.

15) Donations to local organisations to the value of $46 000.

16) Memorandums of Understanding and financial contribution

to both Bellinger Landcare Inc and Bellingen Urban

Landcare.

17) An annual contribution of $5 000 towards the Y2A space as

well as funding annual electricity Charges.

Community Newsletter

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Bellingen Youth Development CentreTisdell Constructions have commenced work on the new

Bellingen Youth Development Centre located at 2 William

Street, Bellingen. The purpose of the facility is to provide a

visible and accessible facility that will act as a hub for our

young people.

The new facility projected to be

completed in early 2012 and

funded by DEEWR on Council

owned land will provide

community meeting rooms, office

accommodation, training rooms, a

music room, homework rooms, as

well as outdoor recreation areas

including a community vegetable

garden.

Sustainability features have been

incorporated into the design

including solar heating and power.

Concrete pour at the Youth Centre

The centre has been fully funded as part of the Federal

Government’s Arts, Business and Community Centre’s For

Young Australians Initiative, through the Jobs Fund program,

which is designed to maximise youth training opportunities in

the Bellingen Shire area.

Jarrett Park ImprovementsCouncil has completed improvements to Jarrett Park, which

were funded by the Federal Government under the

Commonwealth Regional and Local Community Infrastructure

Program. These works were undertaken using a local

indigenous work team contracted through Green Team

Australia and coordinated by Bellingen Shire Council.

The project involved the construction of the first stage of an all

weather dual use pathway system between Jarrett Park and

the western end of town with the ultimate aim of providing an

interconnected pedestrian and cycle path system, joining the

Eastern and Western ends of the Bellingen CBD, through the

parkland. In addition both a skate park and half basketball court

were constructed to encourage social interaction between all

levels of Bellingen’s younger and intermediate age groups.

Improvements to the parkland in this current program

include the removal of invasive species Palm Grass, Madeira

Vine, Balloon Vine and English Ivy and the replanting of the

slope above the skate park with a range of local species; as

well as installation of new park furniture and planting of

shade trees.

RLCIP StreetscapesThe CBD streetscape upgrade is a staged project that seeks to

enhance the central business districts of Bellingen, Dorrigo

and Urunga including main streets, facilities and public

recreational areas. These works were funded by the Federal

Government under the Commonwealth Regional and Local

Community Infrastructure Program (RLCIP).

Council’s objective is to upgrade our town centres

aesthetically and functionally, ensure that pedestrian safety

and comfort is maximised, contribute to the stimulation of

our local economy, improve the visual impact of our town

centres and enhance the tourism potential.

These projects

form part of the

existing towns

master plans,

which included

public

consultation, as

an essential

element. New seating in Church Street Bellingen

These investments in our local infrastructure seek to deliver

on the key objectives for the projects by increasing the

capacity for outdoor dining, increasing car parking

opportunities, beautifying our centres through the provision

of naturally landscaped features, improving pedestrian

access and developing public amenities.

Raleigh Works Depot UpgradeWork at the Raleigh Works Depot commenced in May 2011

and Stage 1 of the construction program is progressing well

considering recent inclement weather. The site has been

cleared of timber, which will be recycled.

The works aim to ensure compliance with OH&S

requirements and current environmental and building

standards. The upgrade will include facilities which can

support Council’s Disaster Management role, in times of

severe weather events or natural disasters.

New material storage bins have been constructed, temporary

accommodation for staff established and the new stores

building has commenced. Meanwhile some internal earth

banks have been constructed, stormwater lines laid and

electrical cabling installed. Disposal of wastewater is being

addressed by the construction of new Effluent Disposal

facilities south of the current compound. Works should be

complete by mid 2012.

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Snippets

WORLD RALLY

The Australian leg of the World Rally

will be held on the Coffs Coast between

8 and 11 September 2011.

Bellingen Shire will be hosting three

stages, on Saturday with between 70 to

90 drivers and crews competing from

Megan in the north and Martells Road

in the south.

The rally is expected to attract an

audience from both Australia and

overseas and deliver economic and

tourism benefit to the Shire and the

Coffs Coast.

For more information visit the Rally

Australia website at

www.rallyaustralia.com

2011/12 Capital WorksCouncil is investing in a broad range of community infrastructure with programs

for 2011/12 including the following:

$10M - Reconstruction of Bowraville Road (Northern section)

$5M - Repair/reinstatement of various flood damaged slip areas

$5M - Construction of sewerage treatment plant at Dorrigo

$4.5M - Reconstruction of Council’s Raleigh Works Depot

$2M - Construction of William Street youth centre facility

$1.5M - Bridge reconstruction (Peakes Bridge and Deep Creek Bridge)

$1.5 M - Redevelopment of Bellingen water supply (Increase capacity)

$0.5M - Cycleway construction works (Bellingen and Urunga)

RIVER HEALTH CARD

Council is delighted to provide its

residents with the first EcoHealth

Report Card for the Bellinger and

Kalang Rivers. Ecohealth is an aquatic

ecosystem monitoring program that

measures how healthy our rivers and

estuaries are for the plants and animals

that live in them. Overall, the scores

and grades on the report card are

considered to be very positive, showing

that the Bellinger and Kalang Rivers are

resilient and healthy river systems in

relation to their aquatic ecosystem

health.

The card provides a baseline from

which we can measure improvements

associated with riverbank vegetation

(including weeds), addressing erosion

and water quality.

The card was produced in accordance

with Council’s Estuary Management

Plan and will be replicated across the

North Coast so River Systems may be

compared. Council welcomes your

feedback on the card which is enclosed

with the Rates Notice.

WEEDS SCHEDULE

Council’s Weeds Control Program for

2011/12 is in full swing with the

roadside spraying of Fireweed currently

being undertaken throughout the

Dorrigo plateau. Ground and aerial

inspections have been carried out to

determine the distribution and density

of Fireweed throughout the shire.

The focus will then be on Class 3

Noxious Weeds including Grounsel Bush

and Kudzu.

RIVER MANAGEMENT PROGRAM

Council has undertaken an Estuary

Action planning project where 53 site

plans have been developed for riparian

zone management on properties

between Bellingen and the Pacific

Highway. These plans have been

developed in consultation with local

landholders with the intention of

assisting them to establish and

prioritise a set of goals for protecting

and rehabilitating their riparian zone.

Council has received $100,000 (over 3

years) from the NSW Environmental

Trust‘s Rehabilitation & Restoration

program to begin on ground works and

this will be complimented by a further

$200,000 from the Our Living Coast

program as well as contributions of

more than $150 000 from our Council.

On ground works have commenced in

Bellingen and Mylestom Drive and

works will begin in earnest from

August onward. Council has applied to

the Regional Development Australia

Fund to install around 7km of rock

structures over a 60Km stretch to

combat erosion and $2.7 million has

been sought to deliver this project.

2012 Bellingen Shire Creative Arts ScholarshipThe Bellingen Shire Creative Arts Scholarship provides $2,500 per year for 3 years

and will be awarded to a person living in the Bellingen Shire at the time of

application with preference given to recent school leavers (from the past three

years).

The scholarship is open to high school leavers or mature age students commencing

full-time studies in a Bachelor of Visual Arts or Bachelor of Contemporary Music

degree at Southern Cross University in 2012. The scholarship will be offered to a

student who has a demonstrated commitment to career development in art or

music and demonstrated talent in their chosen art form.

Current Year 12 Students Application Process:

Information will be distributed to Bellingen and Dorrigo High Schools in July

regarding the STAR Entry Scheme and Scholarships.

Lodge an online registration for the SCU STAR Entry Scheme via

www.scu.edu.au/star by 24th August 2011

Complete an online Scholarship application via www.scu.edu.au/scholarships

(click on Commencing Students) by 24th August

 Non Year 12 Application Process:

Lodge and online application for SCU scholarships by 24 August 2011 as above.

Successful applicants will be notified in November 2011.

Contact Scholarships Office, Student Services, Southern Cross University

Tel: 02 66 203313 email: scholarships@scu.edu.au

Council ServicesCouncil provides a range of day to day services for our local

community which include:

Libraries, community centres and halls

Active and passive recreation facilities such as swimming

pools, sporting fields and parks and reserves

Infrastructure such as roads, bridges, boat ramps, skate

parks, public toilets and picnic areas

Environmental and public health services

Waste management and recycling

Companion animals management

Planning and development services

For further information visit www.bellingen.nsw.gov.au or call

02 6655 7300.

Councillors

CR MARK TROY (MAYOR)Phone 6655 1901, Fax 6655 1901council@bellingen.nsw.gov.au

CR KERRY CHILD (DEPUTY MAYOR)Phone 6655 1867, Fax 6655 1867kerry_child@bigpond.com

CR GORDON BRAITHWAITEPhone 6655 1257, Fax 6655 0734bello17@bigpond.com.au

CR BRUCE CRONINPhone 6655 1181, Fax 6655 1181chairman1@aapt.net.au

CR IAN COEPhone 9037 9067iancoe@y7mail.com

CR DAVID SCOTTPhone 6657 4102, Fax 6657 4102dorrigodave@bigpond.com

CR SEAN TUOHYPhone 6655 0707seanbellingengreen@gmail.com

Community Newsletter

CONTACT COUNCILP: 6655 7300

F:6655 2310

AFTER HOURS EMERGENCIES

6692 2900

COUNCIL RANGER

0428 653501

POSTAL ADDRESS

PO Box 117, Bellingen 2454

STREET ADDRESS

EMAIL

council@bellingen.nsw.gov.au

WEBSITE

www.bellingen.nsw.gov.au

OTHER CONTACTSEMERGENCY (FIRE/AMBUL/POLICE)

000

RURAL FIRE SERVICE

6655 7001

SES

132 500

BELLINGEN HEALTH CAMPUS

6659 5800

DORRIGO HEALTH CAMPUS

6657 2066

COFFS COAST WASTE SERVICE

1800 265495

AARVBEE BELLINGEN VALLEY

RECYCLERS

6655 3777