METER READING UNDERWAY

Contract readers will commence reading water meters on 23 November 2009. The 3 monthly water usage accounts will be due for payment by the end of January 2010.

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.

EXTRA-ORDINARY COUNCIL MEETING – 23 NOVEMBER 2009

Council is to hold an extra-ordinary council meeting on Monday, 23 November 2009, commencing at 9am. This meeting is to consider the Draft Community Delivery Program 2010-2015 following its public exhibition. The public are welcome to attend this meeting. An agenda will be available for inspection on Council’s website or at the Customer First Centre from Friday, 20 November 2009.

AUSTRALIA DAY AWARDS 2010
Call for nominations extended until 27 November 2009

The Australia Day Committee is aware that there are many people who make valuable contributions to our community that are deserving of being nominated for the Shire’s Australia Day awards. This, however, has not been reflected in the number of nominations received for the 2010 awards. Therefore the committee has decided to extend the call for nominations until 12 noon on Friday, 27 November 2009, in the five categories:

• Citizen of the Year
• Young Citizen of the Year
• Sport, Community Service
• Community Entertainment, Music and Arts
• Environmental Award.

Nomination forms are available by phoning 6566 3200; by calling in at Council’s Customer First Centre in Tozer Street; or by visiting Council’s website www.kempsey.nsw.gov.au.

PAYMENT OF RATES – REMINDER

Ratepayers are reminded that the second rate installment is due for payment on or before 30 November. Failure to finalise the payment by the due date will result in interest charges. Ratepayers who have been granted a “Pensioners Rebate” have until 31 May, 2010 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.

LEASE OF THE KIOSK AT KEMPSEY REGIONAL SALEYARDS
Expressions of Interest No: E2009-017

Expressions of Interest are invited for the lease of the kiosk at Kempsey Regional Saleyards, Saleyards Road, Kempsey. The lease will commence on 1 January 2010 and be current for a period of three (3) years.

Kempsey Regional Saleyards conducts approximately forty (40) cattle sales throughout the year and the kiosk provides for the catering requirements of people attending these sales. The saleyards are rising in standing in the region and the complex is now rated in the top 20 saleyards in NSW attracting increased patronage of the yards and hence more customers for the kiosk facility.

The kitchen premises were upgraded and enlarged in 2006 and currently provides an opportunity for a caterer with flair and imagination. All cooking equipment is to be provided by the lessee.

Expressions of Interest should include:

• Price offered for use of the kitchen (on a per sale basis)
• Proposals for annual review of payment
• Detail of proposed public liability insurance to $10,000,000
• Proposed hours of operation
• Details of experience, if any, in this type of business

The best or any expression of interest will not necessarily be accepted.

Inspections of the premises prior to submission of Expression of Interest can be arranged by contacting Steve Read on 6566 3312.

Expressions of interest must be received by 10am Tuesday, 1 December 2009, and can be lodged in an envelope marked “Expression of Interest No: E2009-017 - Lease of Kiosk at Kempsey Regional Saleyards” at the Customer First Centre, Kempsey Shire Council, 22 Tozer Street, West Kempsey; posted to the General Manager, Kempsey Shire Council, PO Box 3078, West Kempsey NSW 2440; sent electronically to fax 02 6566 3205 or emailed to ksc@kempsey.nsw.gov.au.

KEMPSEY’S INVITATION TO “EXPLORE THE POSSIBILITIES”

Following on from the success of the village community consultations, Council is now inviting the residents of Kempsey to participate in a series of workshops to share their future visions for the town.

Kempsey Shire Council will be hosting a series of community workshops to find out what you think is great about living in Kempsey and what can be improved. Discussions will focus on the delivery of services, local infrastructure and community participation.

These workshops form part of the planning process that will assist Council in developing a Local Action Plan for Kempsey.

Community workshops will be held at the following locations:

• South Kempsey - Wednesday, 18 November 2009, at Kempsey Golf Club commencing at 6.00pm
• East Kempsey - Tuesday, 24 November 2009, at East Kempsey School Hall commencing at 6.00pm
• West Kempsey - Wednesday, 25 November 2009, at the Council Chambers, Tozer Street, West Kempsey commencing at 6.00pm

If you would like further information please contact Melanie Booth, Coordinator Community Services on 6566 3221.

If you are unable to attend a workshop you can still participate by going to Council’s website www.kempsey.nsw.gov.au and completing the online Survey.

We look forward to seeing you at the community meetings.

ROAD CONSTRUCTION WORK UPDATE - ELBOW STREET, WEST KEMPSEY

Council is currently constructing centre parking in Elbow Street between Sea Street and Tozer Street, West Kempsey. The work is proceeding on schedule. The wearing surface is to be laid on Monday evening, 23 November and completed Tuesday evening, 24 November. To cause minimal disruption to the public, the work is being carried out at night. Detours will be in place whilst the wearing surface is being laid. Line marking will follow and street furniture installed.

Alternative parking is available in Edinburgh Lane, which runs parallel behind the Elbow Street shops. Some businesses have rear access to this parking and there is a walkway through from Edinburgh Lane to Elbow Street between the Macleay Community College and the former Meals on Wheels office.

Council has erected signs and other safety barriers to assist with the pedestrian access.

Council recognises, and apologises for, inconvenience these works will cause but is aiming to have them completed as quickly as possible to minimise the disruption for members of the public and the business community.

WORKS IN PROGRESS – NOVEMBER

Town and Village Streets
Cardwell Street, South West Rocks (construction)
Elbow Street, West Kempsey (reconstruction)
Simpson Street, South West Rocks (kerb and drainage)

Maintenance Grading Program
Down River Area
Old Coast Road, Kundabung; Kemps Road, Kundabung; Smiths Creek Road, Kundabung; Winstead Road, Kundabung; River Road, Kundabung.

Up River Area
Nulla Nulla Road, Nulla Nulla; Ryans Access, Nulla Nulla, Gap Creek Road, Nulla Nulla.

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.

ROAD CONSTRUCTION WORK UPDATE - ELBOW STREET, WEST KEMPSEY

Council is currently constructing centre parking in Elbow Street between Sea Street and Tozer Street, West Kempsey. The work is proceeding on schedule. The wearing surface is to be laid on Monday evening, 23 November and completed Tuesday evening, 24 November. To cause minimal disruption to the public, the work is being carried out at night. Detours will be in place whilst the wearing surface is being laid. Line marking will follow and street furniture installed.

Alternative parking is available in Edinburgh Lane, which runs parallel behind the Elbow Street shops. Some businesses have rear access to this parking and there is a walkway through from Edinburgh Lane to Elbow Street between the Macleay Community College and the former Meals on Wheels office.

Council has erected signs and other safety barriers to assist with the pedestrian access.

Council recognises, and apologises for, inconvenience these works will cause but is aiming to have them completed as quickly as possible to minimise the disruption for members of the public and the business community.

GARDEN ESCAPEES & OTHER WEEDS OF BUSHLAND & RESERVES

The Mid North Coast Weeds Advisory Committee, initiated by Great lakes Council has published a booklet “Garden Escapees & Other Weeds of Bushland & Reserves”.

The booklet aims to educate residents across the Mid North Coast region on the devastating environmental consequences of invasive weeds and highlights the need for responsible gardening.

Recent research indicates that 65% of weeds invading reserves and bushland have originated from garden situations. Examples include Madeira Vine, Lantana, Salvinia and Privet, all of which have a significant impact on the natural environment.

Council has a limited stock of these publications to be given out. You can collect your FREE edition of “Garden Escapees & Other Weeds of Bushland & Reserves” from Council’s Customer First Centre in Tozer Street, West Kempsey or Kempsey, South West Rocks, Stuarts Point and Hat Head libraries. For further information please phone Council on 6566 3200 or email ksc@kempsey.nsw.gov.au.