At Kempsey Shire Council's November ordinary meeting councillors unanimously voted to join Local Government NSW and Country Mayors Association of NSW in declaring a state-wide road emergency.
Mayor Leo Hauville called for the NSW and Australian governments to assist.
"Our road network, and the road network of shires across the state, have disastrous damage," said Cr Hauville. "We are facing a task that is beyond the reasonable scope of any local government authority."
"We need help. Our community needs help. Other regional and rural communities across the state and beyond need help. We desperately need our leaders to lead."
The declaration – and urgent call for the state and federal governments to increase their road funding commitments in the wake of the floods – comes on the back of an estimated $2.5 billion in road damages state-wide and a collapse of the local and regional road network.
More than $53,000 awarded to community groups
Councillors approved grants totalling $53,349.93 for eligible community groups for projects including:
- a community garden at Kundabung
- weed eradication on the dunes at Hat Head
- a sound and PA system for Stuarts Point Hall
- Christmas carols on the foreshore at Crescent Head
- a Christmas themed dragon boat regatta
The General Manager highlighted that there is both a financial and community benefit to these grants. The seed funding delivers events and projects that would otherwise cost vastly more, and the grants process empower community organisations by establishing the skills and experience to achieve greater projects in future.
Fees waived for Aboriginal Cultural Activities at Back Creek
South West Rocks Figtree Descendants Aboriginal Corporation requested that Council waive fees for their cultural tourism activities at Back Creek. This application is part of a larger cultural tourism program being developed by the Corporation.
Councillors allowed the fees, totalling $1,078, to be waived. This will support a new and developing Aboriginal business to operate on Country, demonstrating further implementation of strategic actions endorsed by Council through Macleay Valley Horizon 2030 and Kempsey Reconciliation Action Plan.
For a full wrap, head to Grants, finances and a road emergency
