Category Archives: Cootamundra Gundagai Regional Council

Nine firefighters have joined the ranks of Fire and Rescue NSW at Coolamon, Cootamundra, Cowra, Grenfell, Junee, Narrandera and Temora Fire Stations after completing weeks of intensive training at the Emergency Services Academy in Sydney.

Of the 227 new recruits, 60 are becoming permanent firefighters while 167 are becoming on-call, or part-time, firefighters. Made up of 161 men and 66 women are a welcome boost to Fire and Rescue NSW.

Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke said the nine firefighters are a welcome boost to the capability and capacity of emergency services in the region.

“I want to congratulate and thank each new recruit for putting service above self and making the decision to join Fire and Rescue NSW,” Ms Cooke said.

“Whether it’s responding to fires, chemical emergencies, car crashes or natural disasters, Fire and Rescue NSW firefighters are prepared for any situation.”

“Every day they answer the call to help, putting themselves on the frontline of danger to protect and save others. I’m very proud to see these new recruits joining that proud tradition.”

“Fire and Rescue NSW is widely known as one of the most professional and well-respected emergency services organisations in the world, and I am confident these 227 new recruits will serve their local community with distinction,” she said.

Each of the new firefighters has spent up to 14 weeks learning their trade, studying various techniques to deal with different emergencies, how to apply first aid, search and rescue skills, heavy vehicle driving and HAZMAT response know-how.

Some of the new firefighters have already been deployed to their new fire stations, while others will join from Monday onwards.

Seniors living in our region now have more opportunities to get involved in the 2023 NSW Seniors Festival thanks to grant funding provided by the NSW Government.

Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke said a number of events and programs have been successful in receiving funding as part of the festival, which is the largest celebration of seniors in the southern hemisphere. 

“These community-led activities and events are a great way for seniors and help keep them connected with their local community during the NSW Seniors Festival,” Ms Cookesaid.

The local events to receive funding are:

• Cootamundra Ukulele Festival Inc – Seniors Concert 2023 – $1,000
• Hilltops Council – Seniors Expo – $1,000
• Junee Shire Council – You, Me, Forever Young – $3,700
• Narrandera Shire Council – Live Well Narrandera Expo – $972.00

Minister for Seniors Mark Coure said more than 80 community organisations across the state that have received a share in $200,000 provided by the NSW Government to host activities during the festival.

“Each of these groups are helping make the festival even bigger, giving seniors more opportunities to get involved across the State,” Mr Coure said.

“Seniors are such an important part of our local communities and I am proud to see so many organisations want to help celebrate them.”

The activities hosted by the community groups will take place during the NSW Seniors Festival, which is scheduled to run from 1-12 February 2023.

Each of the 85 activities are to provide seniors an opportunity to get involved during the festival and connect them with their local community, no matter their background or abilities.

For more information, please visit https://www.nsw.gov.au/seniors-festival.

Cootamundra-Gundagai Regional Council has been successful in receiving funding of $239,651 under the NSW Government’s $25 million Reconnecting Regional NSW – Community Events Program.

Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke said this program is a great way for communities to come together.

“It’s great to see the number of events that council have on offer as it is such a boost for our local tourism and economy,” Ms Cooke said.

Just some of the events that Cootamundra-Gundagai Regional Council are delivering include:

• Christmas on Sheridan Gundagai – 9^th Dec 2022
• Lions Club Christmas Carnival & Fireworks Display – 10^th Dec 2022
• Party on Parker Cootamundra – 15^th Dec 2022
• Community Pool Day Cootamundra – 10^th Jan 2023
• Family Multi-sports Day Cootamundra – 20^th Jan 2023
• Coolac Hall Community Day – Jan 2023 exact date TBC
• Festival of Lights Cootamundra – 24^th March 2023
• Rock the Bidgee Gundagai – March 2023 exact date TBC
• Wattle Time Fair Cootamundra – Date TBC
• Adjungbilly Community Night – Date TBC
• Campdraft Youth Clinic Gundagai – Date TBC

Cootamundra-Gundagai Regional Council, Mayor Charlie Sheahan, said they are very grateful to the NSW State Government for recognising the importance of community events.

“These wonderful events in our region have a significant impact on the well-being of our residents by bringing our communities together,” Mr Sheahan said.

Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW Paul Toole said the Community Events Program will support the state’s events and hospitality sectors while bolstering economic recovery. 

“The past two years have been difficult, with many unpredictable events including floods, drought, bushfires and the COVID-19 pandemic, but we know NSW residents will come out the other side stronger and more resilient,” Mr Toole said.

“People have been disconnected from family and friends but now they’re getting out and about again, we want to see communities thriving and businesses benefitting from more local activities, events and opportunities in the regions.”

“The NSW Nationals in Government are backing events that bring local communities together and this funding will help contribute to a sense of improved wellbeing and connectedness in 2022 and beyond.”

The $25 million Reconnecting Regional NSW – Community Events Program is part of the $200 million Regional Recovery Package, designed to support economic and social recovery across regional NSW that will create new jobs and support community events, shows and festivals to boost tourism.

For further information, go to: nsw.gov.au/CommunityEvents. For more information on these events hosted by Cootamundra Gundagai Regional Council please visit: What’s On Events — Visit Cootamundra or What’s on — Visit Gundagai

TAFE NSW is helping to build a pipeline of nurses in the Cootamundra area through increasing the accessibility of high-quality training.

Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke said the Diploma of Nursing which recently commenced at TAFE NSW Cootamundra is expanding opportunities for regionally-based students to get in-demand skills in the booming industry.

“It was a wonderful opportunity to catch up with students embarking on a career in nursing. We know there is a great demand for Nurses right across NSW but particularly in rural and regional areas.” Ms Cooke said.

“It’s fantastic that students will be able to learn these Nursing skills right here in their own community and when they finish they will have their placement in a regional hospital.”

“By running the course with both virtual classroom and face-to-face components with local accommodation where required, TAFE NSW is making it easier for people to fit study around their other commitments.”

“Our healthcare heroes have worked tirelessly throughout the pandemic and it’s crucial we continue to support them to deliver quality healthcare.”

Recent funding for a Connected Learning Point at TAFE NSW Cootamundra also shows the NSW Government’s commitment to supporting locals to upskill.

“Connected Learning Points like the one at TAFE NSW Cootamundra are technology-enabled spaces designed to increase access to education and training by virtually connecting students to teachers and courses they may not otherwise have access to,” Ms Cooke said.

Minister for Skills and Training Alister Henskens said the NSW Government is delivering more opportunities than ever before to help people get the skills they need for the jobs they want.

“By investing in our local communities and in courses like this, we can help secure a brighter future for NSW families,” Mr Henskens said.

“NSW is leading the nation when it comes to skills and training, with more people in training than any other state, ensuring that we continue to build a strong pipeline of skilled, job-ready workers to help grow our economy.”

Next year TAFE NSW Cootamundra will offer an Introduction to Careers in Health course which will provide further opportunities to pick up in-demand skills for a rewarding career.

For more information on courses available at TAFE NSW, visit www.tafensw.edu.au.

Abandoned shopping trolleys, vehicles and other unattended property will spend less time on streets and public spaces, and owners will be more accountable following the introduction of new rules strengthening impounding powers of councils across the electorate.

Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke welcomed the new regulations which are coming into effect today Tuesday 1 November 2022.

“The NSW Government has again made common-sense changes to rules around unattended property. The new rules put the onus back on owners where it belongs, will save council money and make our streets safer,” Ms Cooke said.

Minister for Local Government Wendy Tuckerman said the Public Spaces (Unattended Property) Act 2021 replaces the Impounding Act 1993, and places more responsibility on individuals and businesses to better manage their property within reasonable timeframes or face much stronger penalties.

“We’ve developed these new laws following extensive consultation with stakeholders including local government, industry, advocacy groups, state agencies and the community,” Mrs Tuckerman said.

“There will be a six-month grace period where warnings will be issued for unattended property in most cases, rather than fines. We’ve also listened to retailer concerns and introduced more flexibility around requirements to collect abandoned trolleys notified after-hours.”

The PSUP Act includes special powers for authorities to deal with stock animals wandering on public roads and causing a risk to safety, which was widely welcomed by councils during consultation. These provisions will commence at a later date.

The rules also apply to boat trailers, unregistered cars, trailers and caravans, share bikes, and personal watercraft. For full details of the Public Spaces (Unattended Property) Act 2021 please visit https://dpe.mysocialpinpoint.com.au/unattended-property

The NSW Government will provide $290,000 to develop a memorial for the former Prince Alfred Bridge timber road viaduct at Gundagai.

Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke said the memorial would include two locations with tourist features to pay tribute to the former local landmark.

“The 711-metre timber bridge first built in 1896 carried traffic across the Gundagai floodplain until it was closed in 1984 and then removed last year due to public safety concerns,” Ms Cooke said.

“These memorials will celebrate the former viaduct’s heritage, cultural and social significance while creating new tourism features for Gundagai.”

Memorial features to be funded by Crown Lands will include:

• An interpretation panel with text and photos on the history of the bridge at a public viewing area off Sheridan Street overlooking the floodplain.
• A public gathering area on the floodplain off O.I. Bell Drive with recycled bridge timber used to create seating and decorative bollards, a reinstated bridge trestle, and a heritage interpretation panel with text and photos.
• 3D online model recreating the sights and sounds of the former bridge that would be accessible via a QR code on the interpretation panels.

Ms Cooke said if further funding becomes available Crown Lands will consider extra elements including wire sculpture artworks at both locations and more seating and decorative bollards.

“These memorial concepts were developed by heritage architects Conrad Gargett after almost 140 ideas were put forward by Gundagai residents to help remember the bridge,” Ms Cooke said.

Work to construct the memorials is expected to commence early 2023 following the finalisation of design works.

The NSW Liberal and Nationals Government will invest $50 million to help regional and rural councils fix the increasing number of potholes brought on by this year’s extreme wet weather.

Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke said under the new Fixing Local Roads Pothole Repair Round, Councils across the electorate can apply for funding to help them address their highest priority pothole repairs.

“It is hard to drive anywhere on our road network without dodging potholes as a result of the wet weather we have experienced this year,” Ms Cooke said.

“We have heard the calls for help loud and clear and fixing the hundreds of potholes caused by recent heavy rains and flooding is a priority.

“This additional support will help ease the pressure local councils are facing and boost the resources they can draw upon to repair their most damaged roads to improve safety and reduce wear and tear on vehicles.”

Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Sam Farraway said NSW has had more than its fair share of natural disasters and extreme weather and that more than 135,000 potholes have been repaired on State roads in regional NSW since February.

“We certainly have plenty more potholes that still require attention, particularly on council-managed roads, which is why our Government is putting more money on the table for councils to repair potholes on the roads regional communities use every day,” Mr Farraway said.

“This funding is available to help every regional council across the state to carry out emergency repairs and would fix roughly more than 420,000 potholes on their roads.”

The new funding builds on the $500 million invested by the NSW Government through the Fixing Local Roads program to help regional councils repair, maintain and seal local roads across the state.

Funding under the Fixing Local Roads Pothole Repair Round is available to 95 regional councils and authorities to help repair potholes on regional and local roads. Work must be completed between 1 January 2023 and 1 January 2024.

Applications for funding are open for two weeks from today with funding announced in November so councils can begin work as soon as possible.

Cootamundra Show was bigger and brighter this year with a newly completed fit-out of the showground’s multi-purpose livestock and equestrian facility, thanks to $157,667 of funding under the NSW Government’s Club Grants Category 3 program.

Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke said she was delighted to attend the Cootamundra Show and officially open and inspect the completed fit-out on the multi-purpose livestock and equestrian facility.

“I also had the privilege to officially open the newly completed rooms at the showground, built by the local Absolon family and named after them. These rooms are equipped with a kitchen and meeting area and will be of ongoing benefit to everyone who uses the grounds,” Ms Cooke said.

The livestock and equestrian facility upgrades include animal loading ramps, safety gates, rails, livestock tie-up panels, wash bay along with electrical fit-out, bringing to the community an undercover livestock facility that they have not had in the past.

Cootamundra APH&I Association Inc has also been supported by the NSW Government, receiving $30,000 in funding under the Country Shows Support Package to deliver this year’s 2022 show.

Heather Bush of Cootamundra APH&I said the show society was delighted to have the support of the NSW Government for this year’s Cootamundra Show.

“The Country Shows Support Package has helped us with running costs and upgrades and allowed local organisations to have free stalls at this year’s show,” Ms Bush said.

“All of these improvements will enhance the experience of all showground users and is a welcomed injection to the local economy.” Ms Cooke said.

Return and Earners in the region could be in for a massive update, with the NSW Government planning to expand the scheme so it includes containers like glass wine and spirits bottles and larger containers.

Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke said this is an exciting opportunity to build on one of Australia’s most successful recycling initiatives and improve recycling practices in households across NSW.

“More than 8 billion bottles have been returned and given a new life since the scheme started in 2017, a huge achievement and I thank the regional communities for embracing this new way of thinking about beverage containers,” Ms Cooke said.

“Together we have driven down drink container litter rates by an impressive 52 per cent, increased recycling rates and donated funds to charities,”

“Return and Earn has achieved an enormous amount so far and now we’re looking to take the next step as we strive towards our vision for a circular economy in the region.”  

Return and Earn locations across the Cootamundra Electorate are located at:

Bland LGA	V & L Machinery Railway Road, West Wyalong	Over the counter
Coolamon LGA	Coolamon Lions Club 59 Loughan Street, Coolamon	Over the counter
Cootamundra-Gundagai LGA	Gundagai Mitre 10, 1 Byron Street, Gundagai   Woolworths Cootamundra, 26 Bourke St, Cootamundra	Over the counter     Reverse vending machine
Cowra LGA	Woolworths Cowra, 3-9 Railway Lane, Cowra	Reverse vending machine
Hilltops LGA	Donges Supa IGA, 159 Boorowa Street, Young	Reverse vending machine
Junee LGA	Junee Supa IGA, 102 Broadway Street, Junee	Over the counter
Narrandera LGA	Narrandera Recycling 16 Red Hill Road Narrandera	Reverse vending machine
Temora LGA	IGA Temora, Victoria Street 7 Baker Street Temora	Reverse vending machine
Weddin LGA	Grenfell Furniture, 66 Main Street, Grenfell	Over the counter

Consultation is now open on the Scheme’s expansion, which would see almost all beverage containers between 150 ml and 3 litres accepted for refund.

For example, this would include:

• Wine and spirits in glass bottles
• Cordials and juice concentrate
• Larger containers up to 3 litres of beverages already in the scheme, such as flavoured milk, fruit and vegetable juice, cask wine and sachets. 

Plain milk and health tonics would continue to be excluded from the scheme.

The NSW Environment Protection Authority will be holding targeted stakeholder information sessions and webinars in the coming months around NSW so a transition can be as smooth as possible for new suppliers to the scheme.

The discussion paper Driving NSW’s circular economy is available at https://yoursay.epa.nsw.gov.au/ and will be open for consultation until 5pm 2 December 2022.

For more information about Return and Earn visit www.returnandearn.org.au

Local teacher Amanda Levett of Cootamundra Public School has been selected to participate in the newly formed Minister’s Teachers’ Advisory Group.

Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke said it was fabulous to have a teacher from the electorate as part of the group representing teachers across the state.

“The advisory group is fundamental as it helps bridge the gap between educational policy and practice,” Ms Cooke said.

Ms Levett said she would share her perspectives on inclusive education and work towards innovative and sustainable change in education.

“I fully believe that every child can learn with the right support and when they belong and are accepted for exactly who they are,” Ms Levett said.

Minister for Education and Early Learning Sarah Mitchell said it was fantastic to formally launch the new advisory group.

“It was great to have the first of many productive conversations with this amazing group of teachers,” Ms Mitchell said.

“Every week when I visit schools I see the incredible passion for teaching from this great profession, this forum sets a formal space and conduit for teachers’ passion to directly shape education policy in NSW.”

Almost 100 applications were received for the 14 positions that include representatives from the public, independent and Catholic education sectors. The successful applicants represent a mix of early childhood, primary and high schools, metro and regional schools, and diverse school sizes and cultural backgrounds, providing a range of different views and opinions.   The new advisory group is one of several new initiatives designed to give teachers, principals and students direct access to the Minister to share ideas on ways to improve school performance and student outcomes across the state.