Monthly Archives: May 2024

MAAC TO BENEFIT FROM INFRASTRUCTURE GRANT

Upper Lachlan Shire Council will benefit from $243,242 in funding to support the installation of tiling for the toddler and program pools under the NSW Government’s Infrastructure Grants program.

Member for Goulburn Wendy Tuckerman said the funding will help the Council progress the project that has been long-awaited by the community.

“This is a significant funding contribution towards the MAAC and represents another essential piece of the puzzle towards getting the pool completed.

Chief Executive Officer, Alex Waldron thanked the NSW Government for the additional funding.

“The project is progressing well with the swimming pool plant and equipment installation being finalised. The outdoor pools are currently being prepared for the liner and tiles and the surrounding paving is under construction.

“Following the liquidation of the previous contractor and a number of rectification requirements, this funding is a welcome addition to the extremely tight budget.”

Since the inception of the program, hundreds of projects have been successful across the State in acquiring funding.

Mrs Tuckerman said Infrastructure Grants are an important part of supporting the local economy and supporting community groups.

Infrastructure Grants are made possible through the NSW Government’s ClubGrants Category 3 Fund, which reinvests a contribution from the state’s registered clubs’ gaming machine profits back into community projects.

“These grants are helping the entire Goulburn electorate, but with two projects in Crookwell, I am delighted for the town boosting active outdoor recreation.

Since 2013, the NSW Government has funded over 536 community projects worth $105 million under the Infrastructure Grants program

Nominations Open for the 2024 Ministers’ Awards for Women in Local Government

Nominations are officially open for the 2024 Ministers’ Awards for Women in Local Government, celebrating the exceptional achievements and contributions of women within councils across New South Wales (NSW).

Member for Goulburn and Shadow Minister for Local Government, Wendy Tuckerman said the awards provide a platform to honour women in Local Government.

“From Mayors to councillors and council staff, there are women across our community who are working tirelessly towards enhancing the lives of the people and communities they serve,” Mrs Tuckerman said.

Shadow Minister for Local Government Wendy Tuckerman said in NSW, countless women play pivotal roles in local government.

“These awards are an opportunity to recognise the women who are on the ground at Council. Women who are enriching the fabric of their communities, making them more vibrant places for everyone to live, work, and thrive,” Mrs Tuckerman said.

Established in 2008, the Ministers’ Awards for Women in Local Government recognize the remarkable efforts of women at the grassroots level of government, spanning both metropolitan and regional/rural councils.

The award categories encompass separate accolades for metropolitan and regional/rural councils, including county councils and joint organizations. The categories open for nomination are:

  • Alternative Pathways Award: Recognizing a female staff member who challenges gender stereotypes.
  • Champion of Change Award: Honoring a male and a female general manager or senior manager who have demonstrated outstanding support for women’s participation within their councils.
  • Elected Representative Award: Acknowledging a female councillor who has advanced the position of female elected representatives.
  • Employment Diversity Award: Commending a successful council program aimed at increasing female participation in senior leadership roles or at the elected representative level.
  • Woman of Distinction Award: Celebrating a woman who showcases exceptional innovation, integrity, initiative, or positive influence on others.
  • Young Achiever’s Award: Highlighting an outstanding female staff member (including trainees and apprentices) aged 25 and under.

Nominations for the 2024 Ministers’ Awards for Women in Local Government close on Friday, 14 June 2024. To submit a nomination, please visit OLG.nsw.gov.au

RATEPAYERS WILL PAY THE COST OF FAILED LABOR WASTE AND RECYCLING LAWS

The Minns Labor Government admits its Laws were rushed and without consultation but with the Greens party and Shooters, Farmers and Fishers party they have voted to refuse disallowance.  Without change to the regulation, Councils tendering for rubbish and recycling contracts will be impacted by increased costs.  Increased costs to Councils means increased costs for Ratepayers.

Shadow Minister for Local Government Wendy Tuckerman said the Local Government (General) Amendment (Tendering) Regulation (No 2) 2023 will escalate expenses for councils, inevitably burdening ratepayers.

“Minister Moriaty representing the Minister for Local Government arrogantly admitted during the debate that the regulation could lead to councils paying double for accrued employee entitlements.

“Rushed amendments, devoid of input from councils, waste contractors, or industry bodies, have produced adverse consequences, and it will be a cost paid by NSW ratepayers.

“The Opposition supports the objective of ensuring fair pay for waste workers, but the regulations as they stand overreaches – extending beyond equitable compensation for workers across contracts,” Mrs Tuckerman said.

Shadow Minister for Environment Kellie Sloane echoed concerns about the bill’s failure to guarantee transparency and fairness within Waste Management contracts which will impact resource recovery and recycling service suppliers.

Sloane criticised Labor’s plan for stifling competition and innovation in waste management and resource recovery, warning of long-term repercussions for providers, councils, and the environment.

The Opposition urges the Government to immediately engage with stakeholders and rectify the problems identified

“We will support engagement to write a new, effective solution but Councils and communities statewide are seeking certainty, simplicity, and cost efficiencies. The Minns Labor Government has failed to deliver.

LABOR SET TO RAISE RUBBISH RATES

The NSW Opposition will move to stop Minns Labor Government regulations that are set to increase rubbish and recycling costs for households across the state.

Shadow Minister for Local Government Wendy Tuckerman said the Opposition will move to disallow the Local Government (General) Amendment (Tendering) Regulation (No 2) 2023, that will drive up council costs which will be inevitably passed on to ratepayers.

“Due to their poor design and a lack of consultation with stakeholders, Labor’s regulations forced operational inefficiencies on waste management contractors, and will potentially force councils to pay double for accrued employee entitlements,” Mrs Tuckerman said.

“Pushing through poorly thought amendments without consultation or advice from councils, waste contractors, or peak industry bodies has resulted in a terrible outcome for everyone – particularly NSW ratepayers who will end up having to pay for this mess.”

Shadow Minister for Environment Kellie Sloane said the failure to ensure transparency and fairness within the regulation has already impacted councils’ waste tendering process.

“Labor’s rushed plan is stifling competition and innovation across the waste management and resource recovery sectors,” Ms Sloane said.

“This will have long-term repercussions for the providers, councils and our environment.”

“We urge the Government to engage with stakeholders, and work together on a new and effective solution,” Mrs Tuckerman said.

“Councils and communities across the state are calling for certainty, simplicity and cost efficiencies – these regulations from the Minns Labor Government is the exact opposite”.

LIGHTING AND “LEVELLING” COOKBUNDOON FIELDS

Southern Tablelands Football Association (STFA) has been successful in its application to the NSW Government’s “Level the Playing Field” program.

The Football Club has secured $872,744 to install new LED sports lights on fields 1 and 2 at the Cookbundoon home ground. Member for Goulburn Wendy Tuckerman made the public announcement at Cookbundoon on Friday.

“STFA has been relentless in pursuing funding to provide upgrades to the facilities, successfully completing several infrastructure upgrades, and hosting many popular programs to promote participation over the past several years.
“The installation of lights on Fields 1 and 2, located next to the new pavilion facilities, will enable the STFA to increase access and draw higher level competition.” Mrs Tuckerman said.

STFA President Robert Scott thanked the NSW Government for the funding.
“Extending our hours – particularly in winter – will benefit all players, coaches, volunteers, spectators and visitors of all ages. It will mean our facilities are safer and we have more hours on the fields to encourage female participation.

“New lights will allow for flexible evening training hours, higher level football competitions and greater ability to host larger regional tournaments,” Mr Scott said.

STFA Women’s Coordinator Kayla Webb said that there are 76 boys and men’s teams, 23 mixed teams and 33 girls and women’s teams.

“The recent success and popularity of the Matilda’s in the World Cup has certainly increased female interest in football, and as an association, we hope to leverage this interest by providing more opportunities for women and girls to join the association.

“Our under 8 Girls competition has two more teams than last year. We also have one additional team for each of the under 10 girls, under 12 girls and all age Women’s competitions.

“The new lighting will mean that we will not be as reliant on daylight, so we won’t be as limited in time and space,” Ms Webb said.

Goulburn Mulwaree Council Deputy Mayor Steve Ruddell congratulated STFA on their grant success, with Council staff providing assistance in their application.

“Council staff played a key role in supporting the application process by obtaining landowner consent and appointing a Project Manager for construction oversight.

“LED lighting means a safer and brighter facility, it will also reduce maintenance costs by replacing the old and dilapidated lighting,” said Deputy Mayor Steven Ruddell

The NSW Government has committed up to $30 million to the Level the Playing Field Program towards sport facilities by providing new or upgrading existing facilities, amenities and fields.

Construction is expected to commence before 30 September 2024 and be completed by 30 September 2026. A total of 212 applications were submitted for consideration, 26 were successful.