Clarence Valley Council
Photo courtesy Clarence Valley Council
Help protect the Clarence Valley’s biodiversity – The Clarence Valley is recognised as one of the most biodiverse regions in Australia and the Clarence Valley Council is calling for public input to help keep it that way. The council is reviewing its biodiversity management strategy and wants to get the community involved in shaping the revised plan. Natural resource management officer (biodiversity), Heather Mitchell, said the review was aimed at making sure the strategy kept up to date with changes in community attitudes, legislation, approaches to conservation and land use. She said the 2020 biodiversity strategy aimed to halt the decline of biodiversity in the Clarence through the overarching aims of maintaining and rehabilitating natural areas, protecting threatened species communities and implementing actions to address threats to biodiversity. The council has put together a web page and questionnaire where people can find out more about what is planned, ask questions and give their views.
More information and news from the Clarence Valley region is available through the Clarence Valley Council website.
Lismore City Council
Have your say on special rates variation – Lismore City Council is asking the community for vital input into a 10-year rating strategy. Like many councils in NSW, Lismore City Council is facing significant challenges in continuing to provide current levels of service across Lismore and its villages. This is primarily due to the fact that costs are increasing faster than the ability of Council to generate revenue. For many years, the rate peg has not kept pace with the increasing cost to maintain the Council’s assets and provide services to the community. They are now consulting about a rating strategy that includes a proposed application to IPART to raise rates above the rate pegging limit. Lismore City Council is now seeking feedback from residents and ratepayers in order to make an informed decision. The consultation closes 30 September 2019. More information and feedback options are available from the Lismore City Council website.
Photo courtesy Lismore City Council
More information and news from the Lismore region is available on the Lismore City Council website.
Byron Shire Council
Low risk water management brings lower fees – Ratepayers will benefit from Byron Shire Council’s sound management of its sewerage treatment plants as the latest review by the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) has resulted in the lowest risk and highest performing category.
Photo courtesy Byron Shire Council
Council’s overall environmental risk is assessed annually by the EPA through its day-to-day operations at the sewerage treatment plants and its management of air, odour, water and noise emissions. The pollutant incident risk and environmental management performance at the sites were found to be at a low level of risk to human health and the environment. As such, the risk level for Byron Shire Council’s Environment Protection Licences is Category A (Level 1). This risk level is used to calculate administrative fees. The low risk means a reduction in fees, which means savings for ratepayers, and shows the Byron Shire Council is continuing to operate at best practice standards in relation to the environment.
More information and news from the Byron region is available through the Byron Shire Council website.
Richmond Valley Council
Careers Expo explores opportunities for Richmond Valley youth – The Richmond Valley Council is holding its annual Careers Expo from 3:30pm to 5:30pm on Wednesday 28 August 2019 at the Casino Civic Hall. The event is about connecting youth, including school students, with local businesses. Discover the range of career and employment options at Richmond Valley Council – one of the leading employers in the Richmond Valley. The Council’s award-winning Youth Employment Strategy has given more than 70 people life changing work experience and job opportunities. Plus, this year also features other major employers in the Richmond Valley including Mountain Blue, the Casino RSM Club, and the Northern Cooperative Meat Company.
More information and news from the Richmond Valley region is available on the Richmond Valley Council website.
Tweed Shire Council
Small grants support sustainable agriculture – The Tweed Shire Community Strategic Plan 2017- 2027 identifies the need to lead and engage the community to enhance awareness and improve sustainable management of the environment, including agricultural landscapes. The Sustainable Agriculture Program is a response to these community objectives. By working with local landholders, community groups, state agencies, and research organisations, Tweed Shire Council is seeking to improve the viability and environmental capacity of the Tweed’s farmland. Tweed Shire Council’s Sustainable Agriculture Small Grants Program assists landholders to implement best land management practices that benefit the farm, community and the environment. A limited number of grants of up to $4,000 are available for eligible activities. The current grant round closes 4pm Monday 16 September 2019. More information is available from the Tweed Shire Council website.
Photo courtesy Tweed Shire Council
More information and news from the Tweed region is available on the Tweed Shire Council website.
Kyogle Council
Expressions of Interest called to operate Tip Shop – Kyogle Council is seeking expressions of interest (EOI) from local not-for-profit community groups to operate the ‘Tip Shop’ at the Kyogle landfill. The Tip Shop will contribute to Kyogle Council’s waste management goals by enabling goods and materials to be diverted from landfill for sale so that they can be reused or recycled within the community. Kyogle Council is also seeking to support the work of local community groups by providing an avenue for such groups to generate further income for delivery of community projects and services. More information is available from the Kyogle Council website. Proposals must be in writing (typed) and submitted to Council by no later than 4pm Friday 30 August 2019. If you have questions about this opportunity please contact Kyogle Council on (02) 66 321 611 or email council@kyogle.nsw.gov.au.
More information and news from the Kyogle region is available from the Kyogle Council website.
Ballina Shire Council
All in a ‘beach’ name – The Ballina Shire community has enjoyed the sandy beach north of the Missingham Bridge for many years, but the popular recreational area has never received an official name. Ballina Shire Council is now looking to change that and is asking the community for their suggestions to help name the beach.
Pitch a name: What do you call the beach north of the Missingham Bridge?
The popular beach is just next door to Shaws Bay and is a great recreational area. In warm months it’s perfect to cool off and in the winter provides a great spot to cast a fishing line. It has been referred to as Kiosk Beach, due to the old kiosk that operated there, as well as other names used by locals. Ballina Shire Council is inviting the community to submit their ideas by emailing council@ballina.nsw.gov.au before Friday 30 August 2019. They will also be consulting with the local Aboriginal community during this process. The community’s submissions will be collated and reported to the Council for and review and decision before lodging an official application to the Geographical Names Board.
More information and news from the Ballina region is available through the Ballina Shire Council website.
