COMMUNITY GROUPS URGED TO APPLY NOW FOR CDSE FUNDS

The Community Development and Support Expenditure (CDSE) Scheme is now taking Category 1 grant applications for projects in the following priority areas:

• Transport,
• Men’s Services / refuge
• Health of children and being ready for school,
• Public safety,
• Crisis accommodation for women
• Domestic Violence.

Funds for the CDSE scheme are provided by medium to large registered clubs. Last year registered clubs in NSW supported community and sporting groups to the tune of more than $100 million.

Applications for Category 2 grants (including sporting, cultural and other activities) are administered directly by the clubs. The closing date for applications is 4.30pm, Friday, 25 April 2008.  For more details on how to apply for CDSE funding you can contact Clubs NSW on 02 9268300 or visit www.clubsnsw.com.au.  Application forms are available on Kempsey Shire Council’s website at www.kempsey.nsw.gov.au.

OFFICIAL OPENING – YAKKA WATSON PARK, SMITHTOWN

The community is invited to attend the official opening of the John ‘Yakka’ Watson Park in Fitzgerald Avenue Smithtown by Mayor Councillor Betty Green, in the presence of Andrew Stoner MP, on Saturday 29 March 2008 between 12pm and 2pm. The Park has been named in honour of the services to our community by John “Yakka” Watson. Come along and bring the family; there will be a BBQ run by the SES; a raffle draw at 1.30pm and other activities.

Congratulations to the members of the park committee who, with the assistance of our community, have raised substantial funds towards the park

APPLICATIONS CALLED - MENTORING PROGRAM FOR POTENTIAL COUNCILLORS

Applications are invited from residents who are eligible to be on the electoral roll for Kempsey Shire Council elections and, are interested in becoming a Councillor to take part in a Mentoring Program for Potential Councillors to be run between Monday 7 April and Saturday 1 August 2008.

The criteria for a person to be included in the Kempsey Shire Council Mentoring Program are that he/she:

1. Must be a resident of Kempsey Shire or own property in the Shire and be eligible to vote in Kempsey Shire elections.
2. Must be seriously considering standing for election at the council electing on 13 September 2008.
3. Needs to be available during business hours to undertake the program
4. Needs to be committed to all aspects of the program.
5. Must submit in writing (200 words or less) why they would like to participate in the program.

The program involves a commitment of at least 5 days over the 5 month period to attend a mentoring workshop and various other meetings to learn about how Council functions. Council meetings are held on the 2nd Tuesday of each month and the one day workshop will be held during normal business hours.

Further information on the program is available from Mayor Councillor Betty Green on 65663200 or 0427419302.

Application forms are available on Council’s website (www.kempsey.nsw.gov.au), at Council’s Customer First Centre at 22 Tozer Street; or by phoning 65 663200 and Council will arrange to fax or send you one. Completed forms can be dropped off at Customer First or faxed to 02 65 663343 or emailed to learning@kempsey.nsw.gov.au.

Applications close on Friday, 28 March, at 4.30pm and Late applications will not be considered.

YOUTH WEEK EVENTS (5-12 APRIL 2008)

Battle of the Bands
The Macleay Youth Council, in partnership with Terry’s Entertainment are proud to present the Kempsey Shire Council 08 ‘Battle of the Bands’ at 12.30pm on Saturday, 5 April, at Kempsey Skatepark in Belgrave Street, Kempsey. Get your band together for the chance to win cash. To enter the competition or four more information email theburnetts5@hotmail.com, text 0449691672 or call into In Harmony Music or the Music Zoo. Please note all band members must be under 25 years of age.

SK8 Comp
There will be two age skate competitions from 12noon on Saturday 5 April at Kempsey skatepark – Under 14’s and Under 25’s. Prizes include Cash and clothing prizes donated by Crescent Head Surf Co, and a skateboard donated by Kempsey Bike Shop. You can register to enter at the Skatepark from 11am on the day of the competition. The most outstanding skateboard competitor in the Under 14’s section will receive the Blake Butterfield Memorial Trophy.

Various youth services will also have stands at Kempsey Skatepark on the day, packed with valuable information for the youth of our Shire.

At the Libraries:

Kempsey
Parabowla & Teen Area Launch - Light supper provided, Friday, 11 April, 4.30-6.00 pm
South West Rocks
Essay Writing, Thursday, 10 April, 4.30-6.00 pm
Stuarts Point
Essay Writing, Tuesday, 8 April, 5.00-6.00 pm

If you would like to participate in the Library’s Youth Week events please contact 65663211.

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”.

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.

COMMUNITY SERVICE DIRECTORY

Did you know that you can access the Kempsey Shire Community Service Directory on council’s website? It lists names and contact numbers for a variety of different services available in the shire. To access the directory all you have to do is go to www.kempsey.nsw.gov.au ,‘Community’ and then down to ‘Community Directory’. If you do not have internet access but would like information from the Community Directory please contact Council on 65 663200.

'PROTECT YOUR HOME FROM INTRUDERS” FREE KITS

Members of the community are welcome to call into Council’s Customer First Centre at 22 Tozer Street West Kempsey to pick up a Free “Protect your home from intruders” kit which provides useful information on how you can make your home more secure. Kempsey Shire Council provides these kits as part of the National Crime Prevention Campaign. If you are unable to get into Council please phone Customer First on 65 663200 and we will post one to you.