Monthly Newsletter for

the Balranald Shire com-

munity and

Balranald Shire Council Councilor Contact

Details

Mayor

Cr Leigh Byron

0428 201 301

Deputy Mayor

Cr Alan Purtill

0429 201 301

Cr Steve O’Halloran

0429 619 880

Cr German Ugarte

0407 267 087

Cr Jo Roberts

0409 147 787

Cr Trevor Jolliffe

0408 066 460

Cr Doug Allen

0421 526 671

Cr Jeff Mannix

0409 783 075

Balranald Central

School Now taking

KINDERGARTEN

enrolments for

2018

For transition program

visiting dates,

Please contact

Principal, Aaron Flagg on

03 5020 2222

Please note - these

orientation days are

separate from the ones

organised by the Balranald

Learning Centre.

Council Website

www.balranald.nsw.gov.au

ISS UE

Ju l y 2017

7

Balranald Shire Council Newsletter Issue 7 – July 2017

Coming Events NEWSLETTER

Newsletter published by:

BALRANALD SHIRE COUNCIL

70 MARKET STREET (PO BOX 120)

BALRANALD NSW 2715

www.balranald.nsw.gov.au

OFFICE HOURS 8.30AM TO 5.00PM

MONDAY TO FRIDAY

PH: 03 5020 1300 FAX: 03 5020 1620

AFTER HOURS EMERGENCIES 0418 322 902

Service NSW Hours Balranald

9.30am to 4pm Tuesday to Friday

Closed for lunch 1pm - 1.45pm

Euston 2nd & 4th Thursday of month

11.30am to 3pm Closed for lunch 12.15pm - 1pm

Call Centre 13 77 88

WHAT’S OPEN

Balranald Museum Access to Museum via Visitor Centre

7 days per week

Balranald Library Monday & Friday 2pm - 5.30pm

Wednesday 9am - 5.30pm

COMMUNITY GENERAL INTEREST

Adult Day Care at the Hospital Monday 10am-2pm, Thursday 10am-2pm Phone Hospital 5071 9800

Seniors Club every Friday 2pm Senior Citizens Hall

Hospital Auxiliary 2nd Monday of the month 2.30pm, Adult Day Care Centre Ph. Dawn 50201311

Health Advisory Council (HAC) 4th Monday of each month 7:00pm Contact 5071 9800

Baby & Child Clinic Mon, Wed, Thu, Fri - Balranald Tue - Euston

Balranald Immunisation Clinic at Hospital every 2nd Wed 9.30-11.00am Call 0427699485 to book

Little Bunyips Playgroup each Thursday 10am to 1pm - River Street. Contact Dee 0429 201 460

Sing Australia Friday 1.30pm -Presbyterian Church

Men's Shed Tues & Thurs 8am Heritage Park

Take Off Weight Naturally Club at Multipurpose Centre Mondays 6pm Call Heather 03 5020 1478

Optometrist (from Deniliquin) last Wednesday of the month, appointments @ Balranald Chemist

Balranald Wool Centre 3rd Friday of month, 11am - 3pm @ The Gallery. New members welcome

Balranald Community Arts & Crafts Open most weekdays 10am - 4pm or by appointment. Meetings 3rd Monday of month, 2pm @ The Gallery. Drop in Day 2nd Thursday of month 10am - noon

Balranald Hospital Auxiliary every 2nd Monday of the Month @ 2:30pm at Adult Day Care Centre

Narelle’s Driving School Ph 0402 782 597

Balranald Harvest Christian Centre each Sunday at the CWA rooms in Market Street from 10.30am

Balranald History Group 4th Tuesday of month in Theatre Royal Ticketing office Market St. from 5pm

CanAssist Balranald Branch 2nd Monday of month 4pm - 92A Market St. Second-hand book shop open Mon to Sat 10am & Wednesday 1.30pm Call Karen 0404 842 037 or Kirstyn 0448 158 709

Vision Australia - contact Yann, Mildura 5023 9500

Sureway Employment & Training Tuesday & Wednesday 8.30am–5pm Call Michael 03 40284900

Balranald Presbyterian Church - Mon Ladies KYB 7.30pm, Last Tues of month PWA, Thurs Music group worship 5pm, Mens KYB 7.30pm, Fri Ladies KYB 10am, 3rd Sat of month Bidgee Haven service 3pm Sun Worship service 10am (last Sunday of Month Hospital service - 2.30pm)

Balranald Rescue Squad meet 3rd Thursday of each month - 8pm at Rescue Squad headquarters.

Friends of the Southern Cross Market Day - Last Saturday of each month - Woodsys corner 8.30am

CareWest Community Transport for non-urgent door to door transport. Call Connie 0350719819 or 0428 335 711

Ability Links Balranald Wed - contact 0487 740 000

ROAR – Reach Out and Relax Last Tuesday of month. Contact Chris 0428 096 462

www .ba lrana ld .nsw .gov .au

Disclaimer - Balranald Shire Council reserves the right to edit or rewrite submissions for grammar, style and clarity or to conform to restrictions of space. Council makes every effort to ensure the accuracy of this information and does not accept responsibility for errors or omissions contained within this publication. If you are aware of errors please notify Cherie Ward as soon as possible via email on cmurphy@balranald.nsw.gov.au or phone Council on 03 5020 1300.

26 Jul 2017 CWCI Safari - Presbyterian Church Hall 5.30pm

10 August Hatfield happening

26 August The Gums off-road motorcycle event. See advert inside.

27 August Friends of the Southern Cross Market Day - 8am at Woodsy’s corner

12-29 Oct Bal-Archies - a portrait exhibition of peo-ple, animals & birds through painting, photography, sculpture & print. Entries open 11 Sept. For more information, phone 03 5020 0200

13-14 Oct Red Bull “Branched Out” event

13-15 Oct 5 Rivers Outback Festival

Mondays

Sun - Wed Mon - Fri

Mon - Sun Tue &Thu

Fridays

Saturdays 12 Aug

What’s on at Balranald Club

Members Seniors Lunch Happy hour 5-6pm $10 lunch 12-2pm Dinner 6 - 9pm Bingo Tuesday 7pm, Thursday 2pm

Smorgasbord, raffle / members draw from 6.30pm Free Poker from 6.30pm Salute to the Country Music legends . Memberships now due. Any unpaid memberships will be cancelled from the 1st August facebook.com/clubbalranald

7 Days/week

Mon/Thurs Tues / Sun Wednesday

Thursdays

Thu/ Fri Thu/Sun

Fri & Sat

What's on at Euston Club Resort Station46 Bistro open daily - Breakfast Mon-Thurs 7am-9.30am & Fri-Sun 7am-10am Lunch 12 - 2pm Dinner 6-8.30pm. Café open all day Free Bingo Mon 10.15am Thurs 7.00pm Poker Tues from 6.30pm Sun from 6pm Raffle night & members draw from 6pm Members cash draw from 7pm Riverina Super draw 7 - 9pm Members cash draw from 6pm-8pm Social Bowls. Registration 12.45am - call John Bond on 50264244 Free Live Entertainment from 7.30pm MEGA Raffle last Wednesday of month facebook.com/eustonclubresort

Also available at the Club- * Member drink prices must show membership card *Full TAB facilities, *Keno, *Coffee shop, *Pre-paid phone credit, *City Link passes *Fishing licenses, *Pre-paid Broadband vouchers, *Seniors Kiosk & internet access, *Free WiFi, *Outdoor seating & smoking area & area within the main bar for under 18’s, ** must be accompanied by a Parent/Guardian

Balranald Shire Population - 2300

Shire Area - 21346km²

Balranald Shire is surrounded by five of the most iconic river

systems in NSW.

They are The Murray River,

The Murrumbidgee River, The Lachlan River,

The Wakool River and The Edward River.

FREE live entertainment Friday & Sat from 7.30pm and Sunday from 1.30pm to 5.00pm

On Thursday 13 July, the NSW Government

commissioned the Stronger Country Communities

Fund across Regional NSW. Over the next two

years the NSW Government has committed $200

million to support infrastructure projects in regional

and rural NSW.

Under this Fund, Balranald Shire has been

allocated $763,642. To receive this fund, Council

will need to register with Stronger Country

Communities and submit an application before

9 August.

This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity for our

Shire to benefit from a major investment in projects

we need and deserve to elevate the liveability for

our community. Information regarding this fund can

be found at:

www.nsw.gov.au/strongercountrycommunities

The Market Street Streetscape revitalisation project

is the best recipient project for this fund which will

involve:

Undergrounding LV power services (River to We

Street)

Installing/upgrading various streetscape items

This will improve the overall appearance, function

and vibrancy of the town thereby providing a place

of pride for the community to live and also enticing

more tourists to visit (see plan below).

Further details on this project application will be

released on Council’s Facebook page where the

community are encouraged to offer feedback.

Stronger Country Communities Fund

Council recognises staff dedication Council recognised staff for their years of dedicated service with a breakfast from 7.30am at the Ex-Servicemen's Recreation room on Wednesday 19 July.

During the breakfast, the General Manager spoke about the achievements of Council over the last twelve months, including approval for major developments such as the solar farm, securing $500K grant funding for flooded roads, installation of a new telemetery system for our water and sewer networks, major earthworks at the sewerage farm and securing the Red Bull “branched Out” event, just to name a few.

Staff acknowledged for their long service were David Unicomb for 35 years, Alan Lodge for 30 years and celebrating 10 years with Council is Kathy Anderson and Leanne Jacka.

Pictured above right award recipients with Mayor Leigh Byron & General Manager Aaron Drenovski - Alan Lodge, Kathy Anderson and David Unicomb (absent from photo- Leanne Jacka)

Council congratulated and thanked the staff for their continual service and their longevity to Council and look forward to next year’s achievers.

Council also wish to thank Sue Giansiracusa and her staff for catering the breakfast.

Balranald

Visitor

Information

& Discovery

Centre

Cnr Market and River Streets

Open Daily

10.00am to 4.00pm

Phone 03 5020 1599

CountryLink tickets and

fishing licences can be

purchased from the

Visitor Information Centre

Rubbish Tip Hours

BALRANALD 1st October - 30th April

Tuesday 5.00 - 7.00pm Thursday 5.00 - 7.00pm

Saturday 10.00am - 1.00pm Sunday 10.00am - 3.00pm

1st May - 30th September

Tuesday 3.00 - 5.00pm Thursday 3.00 - 5.00pm

Saturday 10.00am - 1.00pm Sunday 10.00am - 3.00pm

EUSTON Tuesday 1.00pm - 6.00pm

Thursday 1.00pm - 6.00pm Sunday 9.00am - 3.00pm

Tip Tokens $11.00 are available from

Councils office, Visitor Information Centre,

Caltex, Market Street, Café Cassaro

Euston Post Office & Takeaway

Fees start from $11 per one axle trailer or utility

Garbage Collection

Please don’t over fill

your bin!

Residents, please note!

As previously advised, waste must be confined to allow

the bin lid to fully close at the kerbside pickup.

Overfilled bins result in littering and will not be collected by the

contractor.

Your help is appreciated.

Ensure your bin is put

out on the kerb the

night before collection

LID MUST CLOSE

Next Ordinary Meeting of Council

- Tuesday 15th August 2017 -

Congratulations to Steven Watt on his tremendous effort of notching up 600 games with Balranald Football Club. An amazing feat that you don’t hear often in the game of football. Well done Watty!

Congratulations also go to Jordyn Jolliffe of the AFLNSWACT Youth Girls team for being selected in the All Australian Youth Girls squad.

Balranald Central School Years 7/8 and 9/10 recently competed in debating contests. Both teams debated well but were defeated. They should be very proud of their efforts

Alan McCormack, appointed by the Minister for Local Government, has completed and supplied his report regarding Councils Performance Improvement Order and Council is awaiting a response to his findings.

I am pleased with the way Councillors and staff have accepted the changes that are necessary. This will be a long process and even though it will take time, it will be a positive outcome for Balranald Shire.

The General Manager, Cr Jolliffe, Cr O’Halloran and I recently attended the Western Division mid-term meeting at Cobar, showing a united front for strategic regional leadership and a united voice for our Member Councils and the communities they represent in the Far West. We are currently awaiting advice from the Deputy Premier, John Barilaro MP.

From the

Mayor’s Office

Mayor Leigh Byron

Western Local Land Services has played a pivotal role in promoting the re-establishment of Casuarina obesa, commonly known as Swamp She-oak, on the foreshore of Lake Benanee which is currently the last known population in NSW.

Swamp She-oak, currently listed as endangered under the NSW Threatened Species Conservation Act 1995, has come under threat at Lake Benanee after the ex-clusion fence that was installed several years ago began to deteriorate, while there was also a significant increase in the rabbit population in the area.

Western Local Land Services employed the services of a local indigenous natural resource management business to undertake fence maintenance and upgrades while also undertaking rabbit control works, which has reduced the rabbit population in the area by approximately 80 per cent.

While the fence upgrade and rabbit control works have been completed, Western Local Land Services will continue to monitor the site for any changes to the exclusion fence or condition of Swamp She-oak.

If you have a natural resource management issue you’d like to raise, please contact your nearest Western Local Land Services office or visit www.lls.nsw.gov.au/western for further information.

To read the full media release from Western Local Land Services, go to http://www.balranald.nsw.gov.au/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/MR-Benefits-clear-to-see-following-upgrades-to-exclusion-fence-at-Lake-Benanee-near-Euston.pdf

'This project was made possible from funding provided by Catchment Action NSW and through the support and advice provided from the local landholders and also the Office of Environment and Heritage'

Balranald Police Update

Narelle Tucker, Sergeant

What's been happening at Council?

Council has been busy over the past month with works to wrap up its 2016/17 financial year and commence work on its 2017/18 programs. This work includes the following the following:

Adoption of its Community Strategic Plan,

Delivery Plan and the 2017/18 Operational Plan and Budget.

Preparation of Council’s 2016-17 financial

statements to meet statutory deadlines.

Adoption of Councils Related Parties Policy

Stage two of the CCTV sewer pipe cleaning and

condition assessment. Approximately 5500m of sewer pipe has been cleaned and inspected. This work will be completed by the end of July.

The Euston Riverfront Reserve has had

pontoon and landscaping works completed.

A pontoon and toilet has been completed at the

Balranald Boat Ramp

A pontoon and picnic area at the Kyalite Boat

Ramp Park is nearing completion with drainage improvements scheduled.

Consultation is currently underway to develop a

proposal to upgrade the boat ramp with landscaping and safety improvements at Berrett Park, Euston

A bathroom repair has been completed at the

family refuge in Market Street.

Council is currently undertaking road

maintenance including gravel re-sheeting, grids installation, realignment work, drainage formation, grids and culvert installations on selected roads within the Shire.

Balranald Discovery Centre has been awarded

2017 Certificate of Excellence from TripAdvisor based on the consistently great reviews earned on TripAdvisor.

The following incidents occurred in June and July:

A 29 year old male was issued an infringement after refusing to leave the Balranald Club when requested to.

A 29 year old male was charged with affray in relation to an incident at the Balranald Club.

A 32 year old male issued an infringement notice for having an animal unattended in a public place

A 59 year old female was charged with domestic assault at Euston.

Two males, aged 23 & 29 were charged with Mid Range PCA and a 33 year old male was charged with low range PCA .

A 17 year old male was charged with assault in relation to an incident at the Caltex Service Station in Market Street, Balranald.

Police are still investigating an incident where a firearm was stolen from O'Connor Street, Balranald. Police are also still making enquiries in relation to a break, enter and steal from Church Street, Balranald.

If anyone has any information in relation to either of these incidents please contact Balranald Police on 03 5020 1404 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Police are reminding residents of the requirement to wear a helmet when riding a bicycle. The penalty for not wearing a helmet is $336. Parents, please set a good example and also ensure your children are wear-ing their helmets when riding bicycles.

Police will be making regular patrols of the skate park and any unacceptable behaviour will be dealt with and banning notices issued if required.

Residents with dogs; please ensure they are secured in your yard and not wandering on the road or streets.

S.E.A CHANGE Self Esteem and

Assertiveness program

Mallee Family Care invite

Women in Balranald to

participate in a FREE

program aimed at

Self Esteem, Assertiveness

and having fun.

When:

every Tuesday from

1 August to 19 September

Time:

11.00am to 2.00pm

Where:

To be advised

Facilitator:

Ursula Willsmore

Bookings:

Through Robyn Johnson at

Mallee Family Care

Phone 03 5020 2700

BOOKINGS ESSENTIAL

Lunch will be provided

Want to know more?

Contact Robyn at Mallee

Family Care

Balranald Pony Club Camp

The 14th annual Balranald Pony Club Camp held on 1st - 3rd July was a great success with approximately 80 horses and 200 dedicated people, including locals and those from neighbouring shires attending the event. While some stayed in motels others braved the cold and camped at the pony club.

Many riding disciplines were offered again this year including dressage, cross country, tent pegging, polo, vaulting, camp drafting, jumping, racing and other desensitisation clinics such as the big ball, dancing with your horse and shooting (with a toy cap gun) from the saddle.

A mechanical bucking bull was a highlight on Saturday night with kids and adults wanting to try their luck staying on. A jumping competition on Sunday night provided excellent inspiration and entertainment for young and old.

A big thank you goes out to our local businesses, the coordinators, instructors and volunteers who helped provide a safe and fun environment for all to enjoy.

Please head over to the Balranald Pony Club Facebook page for more information and photos of the event. Also on their page is a link to the ABC radio (Mildura/Swan Hill) program to hear the fabulous publicity we received as a community.

Benefits clear to see following upgrades to exclusion fence at Lake Benanee

Save the Dates….

Members of the public are invited to attend Council meetings to observe their elected representatives deliberate on matters affecting our Shire.

Scheduled Council meetings for the remainder of the year commencing at 5.00pm in the Council Chambers, 70 Market Street Balranald are:

15 August

19 September

17 October

Agendas for each Council meeting will be available on Councils website three days prior to the meeting and you are encouraged to review these to inform yourself of matters being considered by Council.

Written enquiries relating to any topic in Council's agenda’s can be sent to the General Manager, P.O. Box 120, BALRANALD NSW 2715

21 November

19 December