Next edition August

Hard-to-detect leaks will be found without excavation works or loss of water supply Crews detect water leaks by listening

Technicians using special acoustic technology will be on the hunt to detect water leaks across the Tweed in coming weeks. For 7 weeks from Monday 15 August 2022, expert technicians will be hunting for water leaks throughout more than 600 kilometres of the Tweed’s water supply pipes.

Contracted by the NSW Department of Planning and Environment, the technicians from Aqua Analytics will use advanced acoustic technology to pinpoint leaking water in about 85% of the supply network pipes, starting in Tweed Heads and moving south.

Council crews will undertake on-ground works where needed to reduce water loss. Council’s Water and Wastewater Operations Manager Brie Jowett said the acoustic technology was state-of-art, and would pinpoint water leaks that are hard to detect. “Not all leaks show at ground-level – many are hidden,” Ms Jowett said.

“When there’s a leak in a pressurised water pipe, it generates a distinct sound that the acoustic technology detects. Skilled technicians will move through our water supply network, listening for this sound in our water pipes, fire hydrants, valves and water meters.

“As they detect leaks, the techs will make reports so Council crews can undertake repair works.

“If a leak is detected in the private plumbing on the customer side of a water meter, Council will notify the customer to a possible leak. It’s a massive job that will result in water savings throughout the Tweed.”

The Department of Planning and Environment, through the NSW Water Efficiency Program, has contracted Aqua Analytics to carry out the leak detection.

Residents may notice Aqua Analytics crews with a device that looks like a metal detector. While only water mains on public land and road reserves will be surveyed, technicians may need to access private property to assess water meters and supply pipes. There will be no excavation works or loss of water supply. As part of their work, the technicians may detect leaks within the private plumbing on the customer side of water meters. If a leak is suspected in your plumbing, Council will notify you.

Rates relief for flood affected residents

Ballina Shire residents whose properties were damaged in this year’s floods will receive rates relief, thanks to a $40 million NSW Government funding package.

Under the NSW Government’s rate relief program, eligible ratepayers will have their land rates, including the base amount, for the 2022-2023 financial year, paid by the NSW Government.

This assistance applies to rates (either residential, business or farmland) and does not include any arrears, waste collection, water consumption, stormwater, water access, and wastewater charges. Service NSW will administer the program, and eligible ratepayers will receive the relief automatically, and do not have to contact Council to apply. The NSW Government will correspond directly with all eligible ratepayers.

The NSW Government rate relief is available to any ratepayer who has made a successful claim through Service NSW or had their property assessed by the SES as directly damaged from the flood and storm events.

For any questions on your eligibility, please contact Service NSW on 13 77 88, Monday to Friday 7am to 7pm, or visit the Rates Relief page on the Service NSW website.

Curiosity rarely kills the cat by Nigel Dawe

“ENJOY every step you take,” once said Roy T. Bennett, “if you’re curious, there is always something new to be discovered in the backdrop of your daily life.” And so, how often do the things that tweak our curiosity, play out not so much on the fringes of what we typically notice, but more so right before our very noses?

The ancient Greek philosopher, Plato coined the concept of the cave allegory, whereby humanity huddles chained at the base of a dark cave with their backs to the entrance, mesmerised by the shadows cast upon the dim-lit walls. Until someone dared to turn and question the validity of what everyone took for reality. As such, it is the curiosity of that first brave soul ‘to face’ the prospect of far greater things.

The dual-Pulitzer Prize winning author, David McCullough once suggested: “Curiosity is what separates us from the cabbages. It’s accelerative. The more we know, the more we want to know.” Perhaps the opposite is ignorance parading itself for bliss going downhill in a brakeless Billy cart. But I would argue there is no bliss quite like that felt on the bright realisation side of discovery and breakthrough.

Afterall, as the Canadian writer and arts advocate, Arnold Edinborough once claimed: “Curiosity is the very basis of education and if you tell me that curiosity killed the cat, I say only the cat died nobly.” Without curiosity, where would the human race be; flat footed scavenging for scraps in swamps and backwoods most likely? Curiosity has made every conceivable development possible – from transcribing thoughts into language via alphabets, to propelling astronauts to outer space in rockets.

That the Human being is the sum total, if not the shiny gift-wrapped product of curiosity is seemingly beyond debate. Albert Einstein himself once mentioned: “I have no special talents. I am only passionately curious.” As self-effacing and perhaps hoping to make the rest of us feel less silly, he was astutely referencing the most discernible drive in himself that made him great. There would be no E=MC2 if not for Einstein’s curiosity.

Oscar Wilde once said, no doubt grinning that: “Dullness is the coming of age of seriousness” he may well have added the very opposite of curiosity as well. To be curious is to be present, intrigued, agile and able to adapt and greet both the barely seen and the unforeseen. It embarks and robustly sways with an open mind to the challenges and requirements of every single moment.

The deeper essence of curiosity was also expressed by Daniel Quinn: “Thinkers aren’t limited by what they know, because they can always increase what they know. Rather they’re limited by what puzzles them, because there’s no way to become curious about something that doesn’t puzzle you.”

So often we dwell on what we know, and steer very clear of what we don’t, frightened that we might appear silly. Or as Aaron Swartz so concisely made note: “Be curious. Read widely. Try new things. What people call intelligence just boils down to curiosity.”

HAVE YOUR SAY ON THE MENTAL HEALTH LINE

People with lived experience of mental illness and their carers are helping shape the future of the Mental Health Line by sharing their experience with the NSW Government.

Minister for Customer Service and Digital Government Victor Dominello said the 1800 011 511 NSW Mental Health Line was a free phone service which operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week, offering specialist advice, support and referral to specialist NSW Health mental health services.

“We want to ensure it continues to meet the mental health needs of our communities,” Mr Dominello said.

“Co-designing the Mental Health Line with people with lived experience of mental illness is the best way to ensure the next evolution continues to make a real difference to those who need it.

“Our aim to be the most customer-centric government by 2030 starts by learning from our customers’ experiences and needs.

“Recent Have Your Say consultations have helped us to better understand areas such as digital inclusion and digital identity, with these engagements generating new ideas for how we can better deliver services to the people of New South Wales.

“We encourage people to get involved in the Have Your Say consultation, whether they have experience using the Mental Health Line or may have not known about the service, we want to hear from all.”

Minister for Mental Health Bronnie Taylor said the events of the last few years have highlighted the importance and the need to invest in mental health services.

“The importance of health and specifically mental health in our society is evident, with the National Study of Mental Health and Wellbeing showing two in five Australians experience a mental health issue in their lifetime,” Mrs Taylor said.

“The Mental Health Line is an important service which helps people to access appropriate mental health services but there are always areas to improve.

“In 2020-21 around 864,000 Australians accessed at least one digital service for their mental health, but it is understood this represents only one in ten of those who experienced mental health distress.

“People need to be able to easily access services which can help them when they are at their most vulnerable. This is something we can and need to address.”

The NSW Government has allocated $2.2 billion across four years to invest into digital transformation projects through the DRF. The fund is administered by the Department of Customer Service and targets smart, simple technology solutions which create efficiencies for customers across the State.

To Have Your Say on the future of the Mental Health Line, please visit: www. haveyoursay.nsw.gov.au/ nsw-mhl-consultation

Book now to discuss rates and rises

Tenterfeld Shire Council has opened bookings for Shire residents and landowners to meet Councillors and senior staff to discuss the proposed rates rises for 2023-24 and 2024-25.

Mayor Cr Bronwyn Petrie said Council was giving all ratepayers every opportunity to understand fully why Council needed to increase rates, including face-to-face meetings running from Monday, August 15 to Friday, September 30.

Appointments for 15-minutes can be booked for 1 -2 persons and 30-minutes for 3-4 persons, additional time can be negotiated.

Cr Petrie said if a progress association or other group wished to have a Council representative attend its next meeting, this could also be arranged, with the proviso questions be provided at least two days prior to the meeting to allow for any detailed information needed to respond.

Appointments can be made by contacting Ms Elizabeth Melling, Executive Assistant by email e.melling@ tenterfeld.nsw.gov.au or by phoning Council 02 6736 6000.

Details regarding additional public information sessions are yet to be confrmed and will be communicated shortly.

“Council is determined to answer all reasonable and genuine questions as we continue the process of making an application to the State Government’s Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal,” Cr Petrie said.

Residents are encouraged to visit Council’s website for general information on the proposed rates rises:

Go to: https://www. tenterfeld.nsw.gov.au/ tenterfeld-shire-councilproposed-rate-riseinformation

And to use the Rates Calculator to accurately calculate the proposed rates rises for 2023-24 and 2024-25.

Go to: Rates Calculator | Tenterfeld Shire Council (nsw.gov.au)

Key in the rating category and land value from your latest rates notice to compare your current rates with the increases for the proposed rises. Council will be consulting with the Shire community during August and September on the proposed rates rises and will make a decision later this year on an application to IPART, the State Government’s Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal.

Any rates rise will be subject to approval by IPART.

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Council has completed a new 76 metre shared path at Bangalow Parklands that links the park shelter and rotunda to the carpark and amenities building, enabling better access to the park for people of all ages and abilities.

“We’d like to send a huge thank you to the dedicated Bangalow Parklands team for their involvement in the design and implementation of this path,” Council’s Director Infrastructure Services, Phil Holloway said.

“We’ve invested $70,000 in this upgrade and we’re thrilled to have delivered a pathway that opens up use of the park to people who’ve previously found it difficult to get around including parents with kids in strollers and those using wheelchairs and mobility scooters,” he said.

As part of Council’s shared path project, an existing garden bed adjacent to the amenities building was also extended and refurbished and new accessible hardwood picnic tables are scheduled for instalment mid-August.

Bangalow Parklands team member, Christobel Munson said that many local families and individuals would be delighted with the parkland’s new path.

“Adding a new path might sound like a small thing but it can make a massive difference to people’s use and enjoyment of our beautiful parklands and we are really happy with the result,” she said.

In other good news for the park, Council is giving the old bridge an $85,000 refurbishment. A heavy crane is required to move the upgraded bridge back

Bangalow Parklands easier to

enjoy thanks to new shared path New, innovative and unforgettable tourism drawcards bringing visitors to regions like the Coffs Coast are set for a major funding boost under the NSW Government’s $150 million Regional Tourism Activation Fund. Member for Coffs Harbour Gurmesh Singh said the Fund continues to support the tourism industry in regional NSW and makes the Coffs Coast an even greater destination for visitors. into place and this can “After the impacts of only occur after an COVID-19 and severe extended period of dry weather events, the need weather. to drive tourism to our “The bridge has been local communities has closed since late 2017, never been greater,” Mr so it’s such good news Singh said. that once again, we’ll all “Bringing tourism be able to access the far dollars into regional side of the creek, where economies from we have plans to clear intrastate, interstate and up accumulated flood international visitation damage and restore our is extremely important native plantings there, and that’s why the for all to enjoy,” Ms NSW Government is Munson said. supporting local tourism projects.”

A TOURISM BOOST FOR OUR REGIONS

Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW Paul Toole said the Regional Tourism Activation Fund supports local economies and jobs by backing unique tourism experiences that will attract visitors and showcase our regions. “Regional NSW has the best destinations and experiences on offer across Australia, so it makes sense that we invest in new high impact projects that will drive tourism dollars into the regions,” Mr Toole said. The $150 million Regional Tourism Activation Fund Round Two is part of the NSW Government’s $3.3 billion Regional Growth Fund. Applications for Round Two of the Regional Tourism Activation Fund close on 27 September 2022 at 5pm. For more information, go to: www.nsw.gov.au/ RTAFund.

Free solar - savings up to $600 on electricity bills

The NSW Government is ofering a new way to assist people on low incomes with their power bills by installing free solar systems for eligible households in place of their Low Income Household Rebate. This program aims to improve energy afordability by helping households unlock long terms savings on their electricity bills. While this means you will no longer receive the $285 annual rebate on your electricity bill, you could receive up to $600 in savings per year from your new solar system!

The ofer is only available to households that live in the specifed regions and meet the eligibility criteria. When participating in this program households will receive a free, fully installed 3kW solar system in place of their Low Income Household Rebate.

SAE Group are the approved provider, designing and installing solar systems to eligible homes in your region.

To be eligible you must: - Currently be receiving the Low Income Household Rebate - Agree not to receive the rebate for ten years - Own your own home - Not already have a solar PV system - Hold a valid Pensioner Concession Card or a Department of Veteran Afairs Gold Card - If you are not the registered homeowner, but your spouse is, you may be considered eligible collectively as a household

A 3kW system is designed to generate an average of 12.6kwh per day, which will deliver electricity savings depending on each household’s energy consumption. Managing Director of SAE Group Glen Ashton comments “We know electricity bills continue to place a lot of pressure on households, and we are pleased to be working with the NSW Government to help ease the pressure on low income households.”

SAE Group are an Australian owned and operated organisation with over ten years’ experience in the solar industry. SAE Group are a Clean Energy Council Approved Retailer, and hold accreditations ISO 9001, ISO 45001 for safety and quality systems. Safety is paramount to us, and it our goal to ensure we provide quality solar systems to eligible households that will deliver ongoing savings for many years to come.

Want to fnd out more? Visit: https://energysaver.nsw.gov.au/solar-low-income-households to check your eligibility and apply online or visit www.saegroup.com.au or call us on 02 66 389 439. The Solar for Low Income Household Ofer is supported by the NSW Government.

Are you eligible for free solar?

Save up to $600 in electricity bills!

SAE Group is the approved provider, designing & installing solar systems for the NSW Government Solar for Low Income Households Offer.

Get in touch with SAE Group today to find out more 1300 18 20 50 www.saegroup.com.au