Media Releases

Sealed and unsealed roads and community facility improvements are at the forefront of Nambucca Valley Council’s draft Operational Plan, Delivery Program and Long-Term Financial Plan, which is on public exhibition until 4.00pm Thursday, 8 June 2023.

Mayor of Nambucca Valley Council, Councillor Rhonda Hoban, OAM encourages interested community members to provide feedback on the draft documents, which outline Council’s ten-year annual budgets.

“In 2023/24, Council is proposing to deliver an Expenditure Budget totalling over $52 million, investing more than $11 million in capital and delivering a range of projects and programs across the Nambucca Valley,” Cr Hoban said.

“We will be drawing on reserves and considerable government grant funding to primarily address our sealed and unsealed road networks which have been severely impacted by wet weather and flooding. Council will also be delivering some improvements to community facilities and public spaces around the Valley.” 

Cr Hoban said the Operational Plan aims to support economic development, as the region adjusts to the impacts of natural disasters.

“Just like any other business, Council has been significantly impacted by natural disasters, and as with the State and Federal Governments, we are working hard to support local industry and jobs, and get our economy moving again,” she said.

“I encourage all interested residents to review these documents and comment on our proposed program of works before the close of the exhibition period.”

The draft Operational Plan, Delivery Program, Long Term Financial Plan, Statement of Revenue Policy and Schedule of Fees and Charges can be accessed from Council’s website at https://www.nambucca.nsw.gov.au/Council/News-Community-Feedback/Advertisements-Documents-on-Exhibition

Feedback and submissions can be made via email to council@nambucca.nsw.gov.au or in writing addressed to the General Manager at PO Box 177, Macksville NSW 2447.

Submissions and feedback close at 4.00pm on Thursday, 8 June 2023. Following the close of the exhibition period, a final report considering submissions will be presented to Council.

For enquiries please contact the Mayor, Rhonda Hoban OAM on 0408 661 412.

For any queries on the draft 2023/24 Budget, draft 2023/24 to 2032/33 Long Term Financial Plan or Draft 2023/24 Statement of Revenue Policy and Schedule of Fees and Charges contact the Director of Corporate Services, Matthew Sykes on 6568 0205 or 0447 887 790.

CHRIS THOMPSON, GENERAL MANAGER

Council has engaged Telstra Corporation Ltd to commence construction of a Macro Base mobile telecommunications tower to be located on South Arm Road, South Arm improving outdoor coverage across targeted areas whilst also improving indoor telecommunications coverage in the Nambucca Valley area.

Works will commence 2 May 2023, weather permitting, and Council anticipates minor interruptions to local traffic for approximately two months during the course of construction.

Council received joint Australian and NSW Government funding totalling $971,250.00 for the construction of the telecommunications facility under the Bushfire Local Economic Recovery Fund.

The funded project is a community-led initiative identified during the recovery of communities, businesses and industries impacted by the devastating Black Summer bushfires.

Council apologises for any inconvenience that may be caused and requests residents adhere to all traffic control instructions during the construction of the new telecommunications tower. 

ALL MEDIA ENQUIRIES TO:
Mr Darren Moulds
MANAGER ICT
02 6568 0209

Chris Thompson
GENERAL MANAGER

Council has identified a leak in the trunk water main servicing Nambucca Heads.  The leak is in a section of main that was realigned under the new highway as part of the Pacific Highway upgrade works and is located immediately south of  the Old Coast Road overpass.

A bypass water main needs to be constructed in order to facilitate repair works on the existing main.  It is proposed to run the bypass main beside Old Coast Road and across the highway overpass bridge on that road.  One lane of the bridge will be closed to allow room for the bypass main and traffic will be under traffic light control. Traffic control for the water main bypass may need to be in place for up to 3 months until the repair works can be completed.

Council apologises for any inconvenience that this essential work may cause and requests residents to adhere to all traffic control instructions. 

ALL MEDIA ENQUIRIES TO:
Mr Richard Spain
MANAGER WATER AND SEWERAGE
0418 468 368

Chris Thompson
GENERAL MANAGER

ALL MEDIA ENQUIRIES TO:
Rhonda Hoban OAM, MAYOR
0408 661 412

15 February 2023

The significant rainfall experienced during the year to date has impacted Council’s sewerage system in Macksville and caused a number of sewage overflows to the Nambucca River.  This has affected the oyster industry and resulted in the EPA issuing Council with a Pollution Reduction Program to take action to reduce the number of overflows in order to maintain river health.

Council’s monitoring of the sewerage system indicates that stormwater inflow into the system during wet weather events is significantly contributing to the cause of overflows. Council is proposing to address the problem by attempting to locate the sources of inflow and eliminate them.

Illegal cross connections between the stormwater drainage and sewerage systems are a source of inflow and Council will be commencing dye testing of properties in the catchments that have been observed to be the worst affected.

Initially the dye testing will be carried out in Catchment 7 which drains to the Willis Street Pump Station, roughly bounded by Boundary Street, Wallace Street, East Street and Nambucca Street.  Over 200 properties will be tested in this area over coming weeks.  Council will then revisit properties in Kings Point that were previously smoke tested.

Where evidence of cross connection is found residents will be issued with a notice and given 90 days to rectify the problem.  If no action is taken within that period fines starting at $2200 will be issued.

ALL MEDIA ENQUIRIES TO
Chris Thompson
GENERAL MANAGER
0476 789 051

16 November 2022

Work to upgrade 284 streetlights to energy efficient technology will begin this week as part of a major energy efficiency project that will save hundreds of thousands in electricity bills and reduce greenhouse gas emissions for the Nambucca Valley community.

The switch to LED technology will see a 184 MWh per year reduction in power use, delivering savings of approximately $51,000 each year in maintenance and electricity costs.
Mayor Rhonda Hoban OAM said “Nambucca Valley Council is committed to becoming more sustainable, and the LED upgrade is just one initiative in Council’s strategies to achieve energy and operational efficiencies in the next 10 years.
Streetlighting is a significant expense for Council, costing around $260,000 each year, and with more than 1,400 streetlights across Council’s footprint, the upgrade will go a long way to reducing costs and providing significant long-term savings.” 

Council’s Manager Assets Clint Fitzsummons said “LED’s are far more energy efficient, require less maintenance and have a significantly longer life. LED streetlights consuming around 17 watts each will replace existing high-energy lights that consume between 50 and 100 watts.
Council is investing approximately $220,000 to complete the bulk upgrade, with the costs expected to be recouped within approximately 4 years.”

Essential Energy streetlight manager Hamish Wheatley said “The new LED streetlighting for Nambucca Valley Council will not only provide a more reliable, better quality lighting service, but will deliver savings of more than 58 per cent in energy consumption. This type of light also provides future potential for other ‘smart’ applications to be added and will allow Essential Energy to more effectively manage the streetlight network and respond more promptly to potential outages.”

Public lighting plays an important role in providing safe, secure and attractive public areas for both pedestrians and motorists.

For further enquiries please contact Council on 6568 2555.

ALL MEDIA ENQUIRIES TO:
Mayor Rhonda Hoban OAM
0408 661 412

16 November 2022

Following the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, Nambucca Valley Council has a condolence book available to sign at Council’s Administration Centre, 44 Princess Street Macksville. 
Residents will be able to sign the book and pass on their condolences to the Royal Family and people of the United Kingdom until Friday 23 September 2022.  
An online condolence book is also available on the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet website. A link to the online condolence book can also be found on Council’s website – www.nambucca@nsw.gov.au  

Condolence messages will be collated and submitted to the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet for inclusion in the condolence messages to be sent to Buckingham Palace and archived by the Commonwealth of Australia.

ALL MEDIA ENQUIRIES TO:
Mayor Rhonda Hoban OAM
0408 661 412 

12 September 2022 

• Residents can access the portal from their computer, mobile or tablet via the Essential Energy website
• No need to download an application or login to an account
• Improved customer experience from a system more aligned to their needs
• Reporting defects made easier with a seamless design and enhanced technology
• Improved communication pathways between customers and Essential Energy

• Promoting the new system via your social media, website or public communications
• Visiting our system to test its functionalities and experience the improvements firsthand
• Sharing questions, suggestions, or feedback with streetlighting@essentialenergy.com.au

Mayor of Nambucca Valley Council, Councillor Rhonda Hoban, OAM, is pleased to announce that Councillor Ricky Buchanan is one of three Local Government recipients awarded the 2022 Pat Dixon Scholarship. The Scholarships were established in honour of Pat Dixon, a Dhanggati woman who became the first Aboriginal woman elected to local government in Australia.

The Scholarships, which are administered by Local Government NSW, are awarded each year to an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander councillor or member of council staff to undertake further study, professional development or research.

Recipients of the Scholarships are determined by four trustees: Cr Darriea Turley President of Local Government NSW; Local Government Aboriginal Network President, Cr Dominic Wy Kanak; Cr Dave Carter of Lachlan Shire Council, and Mr Warren Roberts, a family representative of the late Pat Dixon.

Cr Ricky Buchanan will use his Scholarship funding to undertake further study to complete a Certificate in Training and Assessment. Councillor Hoban said Council is very proud to have one of its Indigenous Councillors awarded this prestigious Scholarship.

“Ricky has previously undertaken studies in land conservation management, horticulture and Gumbaynggirr language and by completing the Training and Assessment Course he will be able to train other young Indigenous people to develop their skills in these areas.”

”Ricky has a deep desire to help others and by conducting classes and training people he can give them the confidence to access employment opportunities and reduce economic hardship and disadvantage within the community,” Cr Hoban concluded.

For enquiries please contact the Mayor, Rhonda Hoban OAM on 0408 661 412 or Councillor Ricky Buchanan on 0401 216 824.

CHRIS THOMPSON, GENERAL MANAGER

CALLING EVENT ORGANISERS

EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST

POTENTIAL FUNDING SUPPORT UNDER “RECONNECTING REGIONAL NSW”
Background: The NSW Government has allocated funding to Reconnecting Regional NSW – Community Events Program. It aims to promote the social and economic recovery of regional communities following the extended COVID-19 restrictions by delivering regional events that support local businesses in the events, hospitality and accommodation sectors.

Nambucca Valley has a potential allocation of $239, 651. As a result, Council is seeking partners and calling for expressions of interest from event organisers interested in funding to support their event.

Key Event Criteria:

• be open to all members of the public
• free to attend or a very small fee to cover any extra costs
• have a primary purpose of reconnecting communities and improving social cohesion of the local community
• be held before 31 March 2023

Other Essentials:

• event management plan that includes traffic management plan and waste management plan
• fully scoped budget, with areas for funding subsidy clearly identified (For existing events, applicants are encouraged to apply for this funding to make the events larger or more accessible)
• statement addressing estimated visitor numbers and value to broader community
• how the event supports local businesses
• demonstrated experience in event management and delivery

Funding Request:

• from $20,000 up to $239,651
• Council will assess all expressions of interest and make a determination on funding amounts following this process
• expenditure will be required by 31 MARCH 2023

Timeline:

• Expressions of Interest close 30 MAY 2022
• Council to assess Expressions of Interest early June for application deadline 24 JUNE 2022
• Funding deed finalised, pending successful application JULY-AUGUST 2022
• Event held before 31 MARCH 2023

Examples of eligible events:

• community markets and bazaars
• festivals and fairs
• sporting events
• food and leisure events
• recovery events
• community classes and workshops
• agricultural field days (run by community organisations)
• regional racing carnivals (e.g. horse or greyhound racing) run by community organisations
• touring events and theatre programs
• community public holiday celebrations (e.g. Australia Day).

INTERESTED? WHAT TO DO NEXT

Please provide an Expression of Interest by Monday 30 May 2022 that includes the following;

• Contact details
• Addresses the Key Criteria and Other Essentials as listed above
• A clear amount for your funding request with accompanying scoped budget

Send your Expression of Interest to: 
council@nambucca.nsw.gov.au with the subject line:
“Expression of Interest for Reconnecting Regional NSW – Community Events Program”
All ideas will be collated and considered in early June and contact made with event organisers.

As the Federal election campaign moves into full swing, candidates and their supporters are reminded they must comply with State and Council regulations when erecting political signage.

Council has issued a stern warning to all political candidates they must follow the regulations in regards to political signage. Fines of up to $330 per sign, may apply if election signage is on a public road or Council land. Council will also impound the signs.

Council officers will undertake a program of compliance and monitoring to ensure all posters and signage containing electoral material comply with the State Environmental Planning Policy (Exempt and Complying Development Codes) 2008 Division 2, Subdivision 13 - Election signs.

As part of these regulations, election signs must be no more than 0.8 square metres in area.

No signs are allowed to be displayed on Council's road reserves, either free-standing pole signs or those affixed to trees or street furniture. Signage is also not allowed to be displayed on a trailer parked on a road or road-related areas.

Council officers will remove signs from public property if they are not standard-sized corflute with appropriate content, or if they are in a dangerous location. All signage connected to power poles will be reported to Essential Energy for their attention and action.

Signs can be attached to the walls of houses or commercial buildings as long as they have the permission of the property owner and adhere to size limitations in State regulations.

Candidates are responsible for complying with their electoral material obligations under the Commonwealth Electoral Act. Additional information on electoral material can be found in the Candidates Handbook: February 2022 Federal elections and By-elections published by the Australian Electoral Commission.

ALL MEDIA ENQUIRIES TO:
General Manager, Chris Thompson
0476 789 051

26 April 2022

MEDIA-RELEASE-Nambucca-Valley-Council-Councillor-John-Wilson-elected-Deputy-Mayor-13-January-2022.pdf(PDF, 107KB)