METER READING UNDERWAY

Contract readers have just commenced reading water meters in the Shire. The 3 monthly water usage accounts, to be issued soon, will be due for payment by the end of January 2009.

Dog owners are asked to ensure that Contract officers can access your property’s water meter without interference from your dog. Overgrown or buried water meters can also cause problems and may result in incorrect readings being registered. Please make sure your water meter is accessible at all times.

TEMPORARY BRIDGE CLOSURE

Council will be undertaking bridge works at Turners Flat Road Bridge, Turners Flat Road. These works will commence from Monday, 17 November, with an estimated completion date of Friday, 30 January 2009, weather permitting. The bridge will be closed to all traffic during this period. Alternate routes are available via Temagog Bridge on Willi Willi road and Sherwood Bridge on Willi Willi Road.

Council apologises for any inconvenience these works may cause.

Should you have any questions please contact the works Office on 65 663200.

REFERENDUM & ELECTION INFORMATION
Referendum result

A constitutional referendum was conducted in conjunction with the Council Elections on 13 September 2008 which asked the electorate to vote YES or NO to the following referendum question:

“The Mayor of Kempsey Shire council is currently elected by the Councillors. Do you favour the election of the Mayor by electors for a four year term and without changing the number of Councillors from nine (including the Mayor)?”

The results of this referendum, per the Returning Officer were as follows:

YES Votes = 8,753
NO Votes = 6,727
Formal Votes = 15,480
Informal Votes= 532
Total votes = 16,012

The majority of votes being YES votes means that Council is bound by this decision from the next council elections in 2012, until changed by a subsequent constitutional referendum.

Councillors will continue to elect the Mayor each September until the next Council elections take place in 2012, at which time the electorate will vote for the Mayor for the ensuing 4 year period.

Election issues

Any candidates in the recent Council Election who experienced issues regarding the running of the election are advised to contact the electoral Commissioner and the Local Government & Shires Association.

PUBLIC EXHIBITION OF POLICY - PAYMENT OF EXPENSES AND PROVISION OF FACILITIES TO THE MAYOR AND COUNCILLORS

In accordance with the provisions of the Local Government Act 1993, Council hereby gives notice of its intention to adopt a revised draft policy - “Payment of Expenses and Provision of Facilities to the Mayor and Councillors”.

This policy provides for reasonable facilities to be provided for the Mayor and Councillors and to provide for the payment and/or reimbursement of expenses incurred by elected members in relation to discharging their functions of civic office.

A copy of the draft policy is available for viewing at Council’s Customer First Centre or on Council’s website (click on public exhibition documents) at www.kempsey.nsw.gov.au . Enquiries regarding the draft policy should be made to Council’s Manager Administration, Patrick Hanrahan on 65663201.

Submissions relating to the revised draft policy are invited in writing addressed to the General Manager, Kempsey Shire Council, PO Box 3078 West Kempsey NSW 2440 or by email to ksc@kempsey.nsw.gov.au up until 4.30pm Tuesday 28th November 2008.

Submissions with be considered by Council at its 16th December 2008 meeting and please note that any submissions received will be reproduced in full in Council’s Business Paper, and accordingly will be treated as public information unless requested to be treated as confidential.

DRAFT KEMPSEY LOCAL ENVIRONMENTAL PLAN (KLEP) 1987 (AMENDMENT NO 81)

Proposed Rezoning of land in South Kempsey from 1(a1) (Rural “1A” Zone) to 4(a) Industrial (General), 4(e) Industrial (Extractive) and 7(b) (Environmental Protection (Habitat) zone), Pacific Highway, South Kempsey

Subject Land: Lots 100 and 104 DP 776239 No 511 and No 627 Pacific Highway, South Kempsey, Parish of Beranghi, County of Macquarie

Council resolved at its meeting of 14th October 2008 to prepare a draft Local Environmental Plan (LEP) to rezone Lots 100 and 104 DP 776239 No 511 and No 627 Pacific Highway, South Kempsey from 1(a1) (Rural “1A” Zone) to 4(a) Industrial (General), 4(e) Industrial (Extractive) and 7(b) (Environmental Protection (Habitat) zone).

In accordance with the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act the exhibition period will be 28 days from from Tuesday 4th November 2008 to Tuesday 2nd December 2008. The formal public exhibition including full copies of the draft LEP may be viewed at Council’s Customer First Centre at the Civic Centre, 22 Tozer Street, West Kempsey, Monday to Friday between 8.30am and 4.30pm. Copies of the draft LEP Instrument and the draft Map are available at the Kempsey Library, Monday to Friday between 10.00am to 6.00pm and Saturday between 10.00am to 1.00pm. Exhibition documents are also available on Council’s website at www.kempsey.nsw.gov.au. Electronic copies of the exhibition documentation are available on CD for a fee of $25 from Kempsey Shire Council.

In accordance with Council’s Community Consultation Policy a public meeting will be held at the Council Chambers, Tozer Street, West Kempsey on Tuesday the 18th November 2008 starting at 6.00pm.

Submissions to the draft LEP are to be addressed to the General Manager, Kempsey Shire Council, PO Box 3078, WEST KEMPSEY NSW 2440 and are to be submitted no later than close of business on Tuesday 2nd December 2008.

Any interested person may inspect the draft LEP at the above location during the exhibition period.

For enquiries, contact Georgia Rayner on 6566 3200 during normal office hours.

DRAFT KEMPSEY LOCAL ENVIRONMENTAL PLAN (KLEP) 1987 (AMENDMENT NO 94)

Proposed Rezoning of land known as the “Former Shell Depot” Phillip Drive, South West Rocks

Subject Land: Lot 1 DP445196 Phillip Drive, South West Rocks Parish of Arakoon County of Macquarie.

Council at its meeting of 10th July 2007 resolved to prepare a draft Local Environmental Plan (LEP) for the subject land to rezone the land from Zone 5(a) Special Uses to 2(a) (Residential “A” Zone).

In accordance with the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act the exhibition period will be 28 days from Tuesday 4th November 2008 to Tuesday 2nd December 2008. The formal public exhibition including full copies of the draft LEP may be viewed at Council’s Customer First Centre at the Civic Centre, 22 Tozer Street, West Kempsey, Monday to Friday between 8.30am to 4.30pm. Copies of the draft LEP Instrument and the draft Map are available at the Kempsey Library, Monday to Friday between 10.00am and 6.00pm and Saturday between 10.00am to 1.00pm and South West Rocks Library, Tuesday 2.00pm to 6.00pm, Wednesday and Thursday between 10.00am to 1.00pm and 2.00pm to 6.00pm and Saturday between 9.00am to 12noon. Exhibition documents are also available on Council’s website at www.kempsey.nsw.gov.au. Electronic copies of the exhibition documentation are available on CD for a fee of $25 from Kempsey Shire Council.

In accordance with Council’s Community Consultation Policy a public meeting will be held at the CWA Hall, Landsborough Street, South West Rocks on Wednesday the 12th November 2008 starting at 6.00pm.

Submissions to the draft LEP are to be addressed to the General Manager, Kempsey Shire Council, PO Box 3078, WEST KEMPSEY NSW 2440 and are to be submitted no later than close of business on 2nd December 2008.

Any interested person may inspect the draft LEP at the above location during the exhibition period.

For enquiries, contact Georgia Rayner on 6566 3200 during normal office hours.

AUSTRALIA DAY
Australia Day Award Nominations Open

Nominations are now open for the Australia Citizen, Young Citizen and Community Awards. Categories for the awards are:-

• Citizen
• Young Citizen
• Sports
• Community Service
• Community Entertainment, Music and Arts

Nomination forms can be obtained by phoning the Council’s Customer First Centre on 6566 3200, download an application form from Council’s website or alternatively this year you can lodge your application on line at www.kempsey.nsw.gov.au The closing date to lodge a nomination is Friday, 21st November 2008.

Local Community Celebrations
Community groups that are proposing to hold local celebrations on Australia Day, 2009 are asked to provide details of the event to Melanie Booth in Council’s Community Services Section on 6566 3221. In this way, Council can assist with the promotion of the activity in conjunction with the Shire’s official awards ceremony, which will be held on Monday, 26th January, 2009.

TENDER NO. T2008-002 ROAD SWEEPER

Tenders are invited and will be received up until 10am on Wednesday 26 November 2008 for the supply and delivery of one (1) road sweeper to Kempsey Shire Council and trade-in/sale of one (1) road sweeper.

Tenders, in a sealed envelope clearly endorsed "Tender No. T2008-002 , "Road Sweeper” are to be either:-

• posted to the General Manager, Kempsey Shire Council, PO Box 3078, West Kempsey. NSW. 2440,
• deposited in Council's Tender Box located in the Customer First Centre Foyer, 22 Tozer Street, West Kempsey

Tenders may also be sent electronically clearly marked with "Tender No. T2008-002 , "Road Sweeper” :-

• faxed to 02 6566 3205 or
• emailed to tenders@kempsey.nsw.gov.au

Tenders will be opened immediately after the closing time and members of the public are welcome to attend.

Tenders received after the advertised closing time will not be considered. The lowest price or any other tender will not necessarily be accepted. The canvassing of Councillors will render any Tender ineligible for further consideration.

A copy of the tender documentation is also available free to download on Council's website - www.kempsey.nsw.gov.au. Further information relating to the Tender or Tender documentation may be obtained from Carol Dean on phone number 02 6566 3200.

CONTROL OF GIANT PARRAMATTA GRASS

Council wishes to advise that spraying of Giant Parramatta Grass, with chemical registered for its control, will take place from August until January. Spraying will be carried out on selected Council fenced roadsides and reserves. If you would like to know more about the program contact Council’s Weeds Officer, Greg Egan, on 65663200.

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 November 2008, 2008. The meeting will commence at 9.00am.

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

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.

A person or associate of the person who makes a submission in relation to the application must make a disclosure of any reportable political donation or gift made in the previous 2 years (and up to the time the matter is determined).

The disclosure (Disclosure Statement of Political Donations and Gifts) will need to accompany the submission. A Disclosure Form and further details can be obtained from Council’s website or Customer First Centre.

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”.

MOWING OF ROADSIDE RESERVES – KEEPING EVERYONE SAFE

Council appreciates the effort members of the community make in keeping road side reserves and public land mown and maintained. To avoid damage to property or persons please take the following actions before commencing work.

• Inspect the area to be mown removing any object, rock, stick or glass that may be picked up and thrown out by the mower.
• All guards supplied with the mower or edger must be fitted to the equipment.
• The RTA guidelines on mowers should be followed by persons operating mowers or edgers on Council land.

Require further information please contact Council on 6566 3200.

WORKS COMMITTEE MEETING – Monday 10th November 2008

Council is to conduct its next Works Committee meeting on Monday 10th November 2008. The purpose of the meeting is for Council to conduct site inspections of matters to be considered by Council.

The proposed itinerary is as follows:-

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.

PRIVACY – YOU AND YOUR COUNCIL

On 1st July 2000 the Privacy and Personal Information Protection Act 1998 commenced. That Act provides for the protection of personal information and privacy of individuals generally. The Act applies to all public sector agencies including Councils. Kempsey Shire Council has adopted a Privacy Management Plan which is based on the NSW Privacy Code of Practice principles.

What is personal information?
Personal information is information about an individual whose identity is apparent or can be ascertained from the information.

What is not personal information?
Personal information does not include information that is contained in a publicly available document e.g. in newspapers, books or magazines or within Council meeting business papers.

What about personal information Council collects from me?
Council collects and holds personal information for a number of reasons related to Council business e.g to process applications, to issue rate notices to property owners and to process correspondence. When you provide personal information to Council it is used in accordance with the Privacy and Personal Information Protection Act. This means your personal information will only be used in relation to Council business. Your personal information will not be used for any other purposes unless you are asked permission.

If you wish to know what personal information Council may hold on you then you can make application to Council to determine what information is held.

Who do I contact about the personal information Council holds?
All Council’s are required to nominate a Privacy Contact Officer and any questions or written communications should be addressed to “The Privacy Contact Officer, Kempsey Shire Council”.