MAYORAL COLUMN

I have spoken to people who are benefitting from this scheme and I believe it should be continued in its current form, as it has proven to be a positive connection between Australia and our neighbours in the Pacific.

I do not support the proposal to use a ballot system to determine participation in this scheme, as it’s my view that we need to be specific about the skillset and aptitude of the people that come in to work in our country.

I also have reservations about shifting the scheme to include permanency, as the danger is that this then completely removes good, hard-working people from communities in the Pacific. I would prefer to see them build their skills, support Australian agriculture, then go back and lift the economies of their own countries as well. This is what this kind of partnership is about.

The full transcript of my speech on the PALM scheme is available at: https://www. markcoulton.com.au/private-membersbusiness-pacific-australia-labour-mobility/

Mind The Madness is on at the Warialda Showground on Friday 31st March commencing at 6.30pm. This is a free event and not to be missed.

I invite residents from all over the shire to attend. Food and drinks will be provided free of charge and our special guest Darren Flanagan will give an account of his part in retrieving the two miners trapped 1 km underground at the Beaconsfield mine in Tasmania.

The evening is suitable for the entire family so please come and listen to an inspirational speaker.

It is with a great deal of sadness that I report the loss of Mason Daley. Mason was tragically killed in a vehicle accident on 25th February. Mason is the son of Neil and Leeah Daley and brother of Clayton and Rhys. Mason’s parents and Clayton are members of the Gwydir team and I send on behalf of all residents of the shire our collective sincere condolences to the family on such a tragic loss.

The Importance Of Kidney Checks

There were several key meetings held in Parliament House during what was a busy sitting week recently, and in between I was able to find time to visit the pop-up clinic hosted by Kidney Health Australia to participate in a kidney check.

I spoke with Brad Rossiter, who has both kidney disease and diabetes, and learnt that one in three Australians have an increased risk of kidney disease, with the added danger that 90 per cent of kidney function can be lost before symptoms become apparent.

The Parkes electorate has a high number of people with kidney disease or a vulnerability such as diabetes or high blood pressure, so I’m encouraging everyone to make it a priority to contact your health professional and get checked. For more information: https://kidney.org.au/your-kidneys

Mason’s funeral was held on 9th March and as a wonderful tribute to the family a very large gathering attended the service as a mark of respect to the family.

Work continues on the road building and repair and good progress is being made with the fine weather mostly prevailing.

The phone tower at North Star is being constructed which will be welcomed by the community..

It was good to see useful falls of rain across the district and let’s hope they continue during the winter crop growing period.

We plan to conduct public meetings during April and I look forward to catching up with everyone then

Cr John Coulton Mayor

AND THAT’S A WRAP FOR THE RURAL WOMEN’S CATCH-UPS (FOR NOW, AT LEAST)

Crooble, North Star and Gulf Creek have played host to our final three events of this wonderful program over the last few weeks. There was a different line-up at each event, but all three were connected in having a wonderful and enthusiastic bunch of participants, excellent and diverse presenters, take-home skills to be learned, great food, and even greater camaraderie.

Over the course of this program, we have run 12 events in 5 locations, supporting small community halls and other venues in our quest to support women across the smaller communities in Gwydir and Moree Shires to gather together for presentations on a range of subjects including:

• Nutrition myth busting

• Self-massage techniques

• Yoga – in the chair and on the floor, with a focus on our breath

• Flower arranging

• Having your cake and eating it too! - a session on time management and planning

• Garden goodness

• Succession planning

• Mental health

• Physical health

Participants have enjoyed the events so much and have indicated that they brought such value to them as individuals and a community, that we will be actively seeking funding to provide similar opportunities going forward (and we have been given some excellent ideas in terms of skills women would like to learn – thanks to everyone who has completed an evaluation).

The program has been enabled through funding from the Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal (FRRR) and the National Emergency Response Agency (NEMA) and has been delivered by Northern Slopes Landcare.

- Submitted by Ali Bigg, Local Landcare Coordinator

Gwydir Shire Council Update

The Gwydir News contacted Council for an update on some of their projects in particular, what is happening with the area in Bingara east of the Campbell Bridge, Bingara Council Office building, Plunkett Street development and Warialda’s Town Square.

When contacted, Council’s General Manager, Max Eastcott stated, ‘Council received much feedback regarding the Bingara riverfront area and Warialda Town Square. Thank you to all that took the time to make suggestions and comment. All will be considered so that these areas will be showcases for our community and enjoyed by all’. Council will advise when further drafts and plans are placed on public display.

Two transportable buildings have been delivered to a Council property in Plunkett Street, Warialda. These will be used for accommodation in times of state declared emergencies, for respite accommodation, and be leased to Challenge Disability Service.

Regarding the Bingara Council Office Max Eastcott commented that a draft site plan has been received and that the Councillors and staff have made changes and are expecting that final plans will be received by end April 2023. Deputy Mayor Catherine Egan commented, ‘We were happy to have received the draft plan so quickly. We have worked together to adjust and enhance the draft so it will be a very user friendly, practical administration and meeting space’.

Council is still waiting to have the electricity supply upgraded at the Bingara Pool and Caravan Park, Max Eastcott stated, ‘the delay to connect the caravan park residence to power is beyond frustrating. It has been over a year Council has been waiting to be able to use the building. Council regularly follows up with the engaged consultant but progress continues to be slow due to the backlog of works following the north coast flood events.’

There have been a great deal of externally funded capital works being undertaken. The Bingara Preschool renovations and additions have been completed, the renovations of the Bingara Showground amenities block has been completed and the Nicholson Oval club house has been demolished and piers for the new building have been poured. All underfloor plumbing and drainages has been installed and the preparation for the pouring of the slab is being undertaken. A concrete slab has been poured for the new amenities at the Warialda Showground and the underfloor plumbing, drainage and framework is being completed.

Council’s Tharawonga Mobile Resource Unit continues to deliver services to Croppa Creek, North Star, Yallaroi, and Yetman. These weekly services are enjoyed by almost 40 children and together with Bingara Preschool, at which at least 25 children attend every Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday provide essential experiences and educational development for the youngest of Gwydir’s community.

Council’s Social Services also provided Vacation Care during January with 54 children participating. During the month of February 187 visits were made by Gwydir families to the Warialda and Bingara Toy Libraries.

The Warialda Truck Wash was used by 115 trucks during February, with an average wash down time of 56 minutes and total water used was 483kL. The estimated income for the month of February was $8,610 less monitoring fees and expenses.