Mayor’s Monthly Meeting Wrap – December 2024

Mayor’s Monthly Meeting Wrap December 2024

It was with profound sadness that I began our December Ordinary Meeting on Tuesday December 17, 2024, with a special tribute to the late Councillor Angelo Pippos who tragically passed away on Friday December 13, 2024.

Angelo’s unparalleled dedication to the Brewarrina Shire Council spanned an incredible 50 years, beginning on February 8, 1974, when he was officially sworn in as Councillor for the first time. During this time, he served as Mayor for 12 years and Deputy Mayor for 15 years, leading with vision, compassion, and an unwavering commitment to the people of Brewarrina and the wider Western Division. His tireless work for our community is a testament to his deep love for this region and its people.

Thank you to Margie, Angelo’s loving wife, for joining us at the Council meeting to honour Angelo’s lasting legacy.

As a sign of respect to Councillor Angelo Pippos and to honour his service to the Shire, we officially retired his allocated Chambers seat for the remainder of 2024.

You can read my full tribute for Councillor Pippos HERE.

Rest in peace, Angelo. Your contributions, your kindness, and your love for this community will never be forgotten.

MEETING WITH CEO OF WESTERN AREA HEALTH

The General Manager and I met with CEO of the Western Area Health, Mark Spittal recently to discuss health matters across the Shire, including the future of the Goodooga Hospital and medical services for the Goodooga community.

Mr Spittal explained attracting and retaining medical staff to the region has proven difficult, especially over the festive period which is what has led to the suspension of the services in Goodooga over Christmas and New Year. However, he is very supportive ensuring the service remains in the future.

The WLHD has asked Council to assist in future consultations with independent health providers such as the RFDS and Walgett Aboriginal Medical Service who may look to utilise the Health Service moving forward. This will be explored further in the New Year.

Overall, the CEO showed great understanding of the issues in health across all our communities and is urging Council to work closely with WLHD moving forward to assist in that community engagement aspect. The WLHD can see the critical role Council plays in the delivery of health services across our communities, and it was good to look at ways in which we can establish that relationship further, moving forward.

TRAINEESHIP FUNDING

I was very pleased to hear we were successful in a funding grant recently for two Trainee Youth Workers and two Apprentice Mechanics. These positions are a fantastic opportunity to develop skills and gain hands on experience while also furthering your education and career. Find out more about these positions, as well as other job opportunities at Council by visiting our Job Opportunities page.

STAFF LEAVE AND EMPLOYEE DEVELOPMENT POLICIES

Revisions to the staff Leave Policy and the Employee Development Policy were presented to Councillors for adoption.

The Leave Policy provides a framework for managing leave entitlements and processes at Council. The policy has been reviewed to reflect updates in the Local Government (State) Award 2023 and ensures compliance with relevant legislation. It continues to promote work-life balance, operational efficiency, and fairness in leave management.

The revisions primarily include:

Updates to align with the Local Government (State) Award 2023.
Reaffirmation of Council’s commitment to operational needs and employee rights.

The Employee Development Policy has been reviewed to align with the updated Local Government (State) Award 2023. It establishes a framework for training and development opportunities, ensuring a competent and confident workforce to meet Council’s current and future needs.

The revisions include:

Updates to align with the Local Government (State) Award 2023.
Emphasis on aligning training priorities with Council’s strategic and operational needs.

Both these policies were endorsed and approved by Council and will be available to view on Council’s website shortly.

ROADS UPDATE

The Transport Manager gave us an update on a range of construction projects currently happening by the Shire’s Road Crew including:

Line marking for the new section of Goodooga Road was due to be carried out before Council closed for Christmas. Plans for line marking for recent work undertaken in the Brewarrina town area, is being prepared and is expected to be completed in the New Year.
Jobs Gate Road Stage 3 completion is now planned for early 2025. Delays occurred due the rain events over the last few months of 2024, however, completed sealed sections will be line marked. Crushing contractors are also working on site and supplying material for this and other projects across the Shire.
Weilmoringle shared path site, funded thanks to a grant from Transport for NSW and their Get NSW Active program, is progressing well and expected to be completed soon.
Heavy patching (including flood affected areas) marked by Transport surveillance officer is underway. These works will be ongoing until the beginning of next year. All opened road sections will be sealed and line marked before Council closes for Christmas.
Culvert replacement works for Arthur Hall VC Way has been approved by Transport for NSW, with work scheduled to begin in early 2025.
Maintenance grading has been completed on the Yarrawin Road, Brenda Bukulla Road, Twin Rivers Road, Black Box Road, sections of the Narran Lake Road and Fingerpost Road. Work is currently underway on the Charlton Road, Monkey Bridge Road and Nidgery Byrock Road.

UTILITIES UPDATE

The Utilities Manager gave us an update on a range of projects the Utilities Department has been working on recently. Throughout November and December the team has made significant progress across several key areas, including the successful rehoming of animals, critical infrastructure improvements, and routine maintenance.

With ongoing efforts to enhance utility services and maintain a safe, clean environment, the community is positioned for continued positive outcomes in the months ahead. Key projects included:

Airport Assessments: Comprehensive assessments of Brewarrina and Goodooga Airports have been completed to ensure both facilities are prepared for future operational demands and can accommodate future growth.
Weilmoringle Water Tower: Ongoing maintenance and assessments of the Weilmoringle Water Tower are being conducted to ensure the continued reliability and sustainability of the community’s water supply.
Critical Infrastructure Repairs: A new high-lift pump has been successfully installed, ensuring more efficient water operations. Additionally, sewer pump stations have undergone routine maintenance to prevent service disruptions.
Aqua West Upgrades: Brewarrina Cemetery and Memorial Park have benefited from an upgrade to their irrigation systems, now incorporating Bluetooth solenoids to improve water efficiency and reduce wastage.
Parks and Gardens: Ongoing general maintenance continues, with the introduction of new, high-performance mowers enhancing the efficiency and quality of grounds keeping operations.
Water and Sewer Operations: The water and sewer team has successfully completed 5 mains repairs and resolved 6 sewer chokes, ensuring uninterrupted service to the community.
Smart Meter Installation: The installation of smart meters continues, aimed at improving the accuracy of water usage monitoring and supporting efficient resource management across the region.

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

Last year, the Youth Centre hosted four high school students for a two-week work experience program. The students gained hands-on exposure to youth work, including activity planning, program facilitation, WHS awareness, and emotional support handling. Three students who had not previously been employed expressed interest in future Council opportunities, including school-based traineeships or casual holiday work in 2025, which is wonderful to hear.

In November, another successful movie night was held at the Community Centre with the support of Marathon Health’s and Mission Australia. The event was very well attended and received by the local community, with over 50 children coming along. As a result the team are looking towards hosting more movie nights, and an action packed school holiday program.

The Economic Development Manager also gave us an update on a range of upcoming projects and funding opportunities, including tenders for the Four Mile upgrade project and Main Street design to be opened next year, as well as the next phases of the Active Transport and Regional House strategies after recent community consultations and site visits.