Northern Rivers Talking Turkey

Kyogle Council met for the first of its regular meetings in 2010 on 15 February.  The meeting was so well attended by members of the public that extra seating was required to accommodate them. The following is a round-up of matters considered at the meeting, outside of those covered elsewhere in this, or in upcoming issues, of the NRTT.
‘Timber Trip’ – $3,569 spent and still no report
Council has spent $3,569 (including $1,013 on “Meals/Gifts to host Councils/business”), on a ‘Timber Trip’, but is yet to receive a report on the trip, despite it happening 4 months ago.
In a question to Council with notice, Cr John O’Reilly asked, “What did the Council get from this trip and what benefits will the ratepayers get out of this?” Council staff responded, “Council was able to learn from the experience of other Councils and businesses in a region that has a long established history of timber plantations and associated industry.  Hopefully Council will be able to use this knowledge to identify ways to attract associated value adding opportunities.”
It is expected that a completed draft report, along with recommendations, will be submitted to the March meeting of Council.
Flashing Lights in School Zones
Mayor Ross Brown moved a successful motion asking Council to investigate and report back on the requirements, costs and funding available to install 40km per hour flashing signs in school zones in the Kyogle LGA.
In proposing the motion, Mayor Brown noted a recent road trip through Bexhill during school hours, where he was impressed by the visibility and effectiveness of the solar powered flashing lights installed there.
In his Mayoral Minute to Council, Mayor Brown commented, “I believe the lights would produce almost 100% compliance with the speed limit due to the high visibility”, and, “I believe there are a number of schools on high speed and high traffic/pedestrian areas within the Kyogle LGA that would benefit from the installation of this equipment.”  Mayor Brown made particular note of schools at Mummulgum, Rukenvale, Grevillea, and in the Kyogle school zone.
SES Shed at Tabulam in disrepair
A Tabulam SES Member, who addressed Council during the public access session of the meeting, raised a number of concerns relating to the structural integrity of the SES Shed at Tabulam, including that there are major cracks down the western wall of the building.
A motion moved by Cr Tom Cooper, that Council support the investigation, by a structural engineer, of the soundness of the shed, and include works on the shed in its 2010/11 Management Plan was defeated.  Instead Council has sought to clarify who owns the shed and who, therefore, is responsible for addressing the structural issues. 
2010/11 Management Plan Development
As reported in the previous issue of the NRTT, the process to develop the Kyogle Council Management Plan for the 2010/11 financial year has begun. Council must adopt a management plan for the year by 30 June 2010.
Council has sent letters to community and sporting organisations in the area inviting them to make written submissions to be considered in the development process.  Council will also conduct public forums will be held at Tabulam on 24 February, Woodenbong on 10 March, Bonalbo on 24 March, and Kyogle on 31 March.  Council’s  draft Management Plan will be on public display from 27 April to 25 May, when public submissions on the draft plan close.
A public submission form is available on Council’s web site at:
www.kyogle.nsw.gov.au, or can be picked up from Council Chambers in Stratheden Street.
Residents continue battle for information on Rally related costs
Residents concerned about the impacts of the World Rally event, and the costs to rate payers in the Kyogle Local Government of holding the event, continued their fight for information from Council.
Utilising the public access session of the meeting, one resident asked for further details on works undertaken prior to the rally on the 113km of local roads used as stages of the world rally event.  In particular the resident asked, “What percentage of that 113km was graded or had other work done in the 6 months prior to the rally?”, “What was the cost per kilometre of that work?”, and “Was any contribution to the cost of those roadworks made by the NSW State Government or any rally organisation?”
Given the complex nature of the questions, Council agreed to provide answers at a later stage.