YOUTH ADVISORY COUNCIL – Call for nominations

Kempsey Shire Council is calling for nominations to be involved in the second term of the Macleay Valley Youth Advisory Council from 1st April 2008 to 28th February 2009.  The Macleay Valley Youth Advisory Council is a 12 member Council of youth between the ages of 12 to 25 years.

The purpose of the Macleay Valley Youth Advisory Council (MVYAC) is an advisory committee that provides a local ‘youth voice’ in government policy and decision-making. The committee keeps Kempsey Shire Council informed on issues that are significantly important to the young people of the Kempsey Shire. It will also provide the chance to plan and hold youth events, improve personal development, and liaise with local, state and federal government bodies.

No matter whom you are, or what you do, you can put your hand up to become part of this Youth Advisory Council for Kempsey Shire. Existing members need to reapply for membership.
If you would like to nominate to be part of the ‘youth voice of the shire’ nominations forms are available on Council’s website www.kempsey.nsw.gov.au or by contacting Council’s Customer First Centre. For further information concerning the Youth Advisory Council please do not hesitate to contact Mrs Melanie Booth on telephone 6566 3221.

Nominations close on Friday, 14th March 2008 with application forms to be forwarded to Mrs Melanie Booth, Macleay Valley Youth Advisory Council Nomination, Kempsey Shire Council, PO Box 3078 West Kempsey NSW 2440 or email them to ksc@kempsey.nsw.gov.au.

CCTV Consultants

Kempsey Shire Council is currently investigating the installation of Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) Security systems within a number of towns and villages in the Kempsey Shire.

To assist in this process Kempsey Shire Council is calling for Expressions of Interest from suitability qualified CCTV Consultants / experts who will be able to undertake an assessment of CCTV requirements for the Kempsey Shire.

The suitably qualified consultant must provide a detailed analysis of CCTV Services including the planning, location and installation of systems in the following localities of:

• Kempsey CBD
• West Kempsey CBD
• South Kempsey Park
• South Kempsey Industrial Estate
• South West Rocks CBD
• Crescent Head CBD
• Horseshoe Bay

Expressions of Interest specifications are available from Mrs Melanie Booth, Coordinator Community Services on telephone 6566 3221.

Council shall not be bound to accept the lowest or any Expression of Interest, or part thereof.
Expressions of Interest close at 10.00m on Tuesday, 11th March 2008 and should be marked

CCTV Expression of Interest
Kempsey Shire Council
P O Box 3078
WEST KEMPSEY NSW 2440

For further information regarding this Expression of Interest, please contact Melanie Booth on 6566 3221 or email at mel.booth@kempsey.nsw.gov.au.

PAYMENT OF RATES – DID YOU FORGET?

Ratepayers are reminded that the third rate instalment was due for payment on or before 28 Febuary. Failure to finalise the payment by the due date will result in interest charges and the possible commencement of legal action for recovery of rates due. Please note that should legal action become necessary you will be liable for all debt recovery costs in accordance with the Civil Procedures Act 2005. The only exception to this relates to those ratepayers who have been granted a “Pensioners Rebate.” Ratepayers in this category have until 31 May, 2008 to finalise their account in full, however arrears on a Pensioners account must be finalised immediately and is the subject of daily interest charges.

Should you be experiencing difficulties in paying your rates, please contact Council to make a suitable arrangement for settlement of the account.

ANNUAL REPORT

Please note copies of Council’s Annual Report for the 2006/07 financial year are now on display at the Kempsey Shire Library and its branches. If you would like a copy of this report they are available at the Customer First Centre. You can also access this report via Council’s website at www.kempsey@nsw.gov.au.

BUILD A SAFER HOME

As part of its Crime Prevention Strategy, Kempsey Shire Council has developed a set of Guidelines for Crime Prevention through Environmental Design (CPTED). These guidelines are specifically designed to assist builders and developers with design options that pay heed to home security considerations. A copy the CPTED guidelines is now available at Customer First and is also accessible on Council’s website (go to Communications, Documents, ‘C’).

PUBLIC NOTIFICATION OF DEVELOPMENT CONSENTS - ISSUED BY COUNCIL

Consent has been granted for the following applications.

A record of consents may be inspected, without charge, at the Customer First Centre of the Kempsey Shire Council, Civic Centre, Tozer Street, West Kempsey, between 8.30 am and 4.30 pm from Monday to Friday (public holidays excepted).

NOTICE OF PROPOSED DEVELOPMENTS

The following applications have been received and are notified in accordance with Council’s Policy.
NOTE: Not all applications received require public notification.

The applications and plans relating to the developments to which this notice refers may be inspected at council’s Customer First Centre, Tozer Street, West Kempsey, any time between 8.30am and 4.30pm from Monday to Friday (public holidays excepted) for the period stated above.

At anytime during which the application may be inspected, any person:

1 who has received written notice of a proposed development from Council; or
2 who owns land and who contends that his enjoyment of that land will be detrimentally affected if a proposed development is carried out; or
3 who feels that a proposed development will adversely affect the character or amenity of the surrounding area may object in writing to council.

If the application will need to be considered by Council, a precis of submissions received will be included in a report to Council for determination of the application. Copies of submissions may be included in the Appendices to the Business Paper unless specifically requested by the writer not to be included and the submission is clearly headed “confidential”.

SALE OF LAND FOR OVERDUE RATES

NOTICE is hereby given to the persons named hereunder that the Council of the Shire of Kempsey has resolved in pursuance of section 713 of the Local Government Act 1993, to sell the land described hereunder of which the persons named appear to be the owners or in which they appear to have an interest and on which the amount of rates stated in each case, as at 9th October 2007 date is due:-

In default of payment to the Council of the amount stated in column (e) above, and any other rates (including extra charges) becoming due and payable after publication of this notice, or an arrangement satisfactory to the Council for all such rates being entered into by the ratable person, before the time fixed for the sale, the said land will be offered for sale by public Auction by Kempsey Shire Council at the Civic Centre, Elbow Street West Kempsey on Wednesday 26th March 2008 at 9.30am.

NOTIFICATION OF CONSIDERATION OF PROPOSED DEVELOPMENTS

The public are advised that it is intended to consider the following development related issues lodged with the Sustainable Development Services Department at the Council Meeting of 11 March, 2008. The meeting will commence at 9.00am.

Further information on the Development Proposals can be obtained by contacting:
Sustainable Development Services Department.

INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY EXHIBITION
Macleay Valley Community Art Gallery

Don’t miss the opportunity to see the “Women in 2000” exhibition, organised in conjunction with the Macleay Valley Historical Society, at the Macleay Valley Community Gallery at Gladstone. The exhibition, which runs until 16 March, features over 200 photographs of local women.

An official opening will be held on Saturday, 8 March, to mark International Women’s Day. Women who remember having their photograph taken for the project are invited to the opening with family and friends and community members are also welcome. If you would like to attend, or need further information, please contact Barbara Huntington on 65 663226 (Tuesday to Thursday).

Along with the Historical Society this project has been made possible with assistance from Arts Mid North Coast inc, Macleay Valley arts Council Inc, NSW Department of Premier and Cabinet’s Office for Women and Kempsey Shire Council. The Gallery is located in Kinchela Street Gladstone and its hours are 10.30am to 4pm (Thursday to Sunday).

DEVELOPMENT APPLICATION ONLINE TRACKING AND PUBLIC REGISTER

Kempsey Shire Council has implemented a Development Application Online Tracking system and a Public Register of Development Applications which allows easier access and tracking of lodged development applications and assists customers in gathering information through electronic media.

Development Application Online Tracking
 Once a Development Application is lodged with Council, registered applicants will be provided with a secure password to log on to councils website to track the progress of their application. You will be able to see the current status of your application, the estimated timeframes for completion and who your assessment officer is. You will also receive email notifications at certain stages of the application progress. For example when the administration process of the application has been completed and has been allocated to an assessment officer, when a site inspection has taken place and when the determination of your application has been made.

 When you log on using your password you will be able to download a pdf version of certain documents related to your application. For example if your application has been referred to other Government departments such as the Rural Fire Service, a copy of general correspondence in regards to your application and also a copy of your Development Determination.

 You can register for this service when you lodge your application or by completing a separate Development Application Online Tracking Registration Form and submitting it to Council's Customer First Centre.

Development Application Public Register
Council has also introduced a Public Register of Development Applications. You can search for any Development Applications lodged since 1980 in Council’s Public Register. Searches can be conducted by date lodged, location or application number.

Information available on the Public Register includes:-

• Current status of Lodged Applications; and
• Copies of Development Application Determinations.

For further information regarding the DA Online Tracking and any of your planning enquiries please contact Council’s Customer First Centre on (02) 6566 3200.

COMMUNICATION IS IMPORTANT

Council provides residents and ratepayers with lots of opportunities to discover what is happening at Council. These are just some of the methods we use to communicate with you:

• Weekly ads and Mayoral Column in the local press;
• Regular media releases sent to local and regional media;
• Weekly program on Tank FM on Mondays at 10.10am;
• On-site inspections, workshops and public meetings relating to specific subjects or issues;
• Letterbox drops and mail-outs when appropriate;
• Displays at events such as the Kempsey Show;
• The production of comprehensive public documents including the Annual Report, Management Plan and the State of the Environment Report; meeting agendas and minutes;
• Community Newsletters;
• Council’s email mailing list; and
• Surveys.

Many Council documents are available on our website at www.kempsey.nsw.gov.au and copies of some recent documents are often available at Customer First or at Shire Library branches in Kempsey, South West Rocks, Hat Head and Stuarts Point.

You are invited to attend Council meetings and arrangements can be made for you to address Council or, if this is not convenient, think about inviting a Councillor or staff member to attend a community meeting which you are involved with. If you would like to suggest a new, different and cost effective way of communicating with us, please drop us a line at PO Box 3078, West Kempsey, fax us on 6566 3205 or email us ksc@kempsey.nsw.gov.au.