JANUARY, 2017

2017 Super Rugby: Glen Willow hosts trial match

Tickets to the 2017 Super Rugby trial match between the NSW Waratahs and Brumbies are now on sale at ticketek.com.au.

The rugby sides will go head to head at Mudgee’s premier sporting venue, Glen Willow Regional Sports Stadium on Saturday, 4 February.

General admission ticket prices start from $15 for adults and from $5 for kids.

Parking will be limited and spectators are encouraged to make use of free shuttle buses that will be operating throughout the day. Pick up and drop off points will be located on Market Street (outside Mudgee Region Tourism) and Mortimer Street (outside the Mortimer Street bus stop/taxi

rank and outside St Matthew’s School). Alternatively, Glen Willow is accessible from Mudgee CBD via the purpose-built pathway and footbridge.

CELEBRATE IN RYLSTONE

AUSTRALIA DAY EVENT

Come and join in the 2017 Australia Day celebrations at Rylstone Showground.

The day will begin with a free barbecue breakfast from 8am followed by the official ceremony at 10am.

Australia Day Awards will be presented to residents and community groups

in 12 categories that include Citizen and Young Citizen of the Year, Sports Award, Arts Award, the Wall of Reflections, and Community Event of the Year.

The free family day will include a jumping castle, live music and entertainment as well as market stalls.

GENERAL ADMISSION TICKETS STILL AVAILABLE AT WWW.TICKETEK.COM.AU

FROM THE MAYOR’S DESK Welcome to 2017. It’s set to be another busy 12 months for Council with a number of major events planned in the first half of the year at Glen Willow Regional Sports Stadium.

The Office of Local Government recently delivered the exciting news that Council has been reassessed as ‘Fit’ for the Future as part of the NSW local government reform process. The reassessment acknowledged the hard work that Council has undertaken to improve its sustainability, infrastructure and service management processes, placing the region in a strong position into the future.

I’d like to encourage all residents to join me for the region’s Australia Day celebrations in Rylstone later this month. The free family event is a wonderful

opportunity to recognise the residents who make great contributions to our community.

This celebration will also see eight new Australians take the Citizenship Pledge. Late last year, nine other people from a diverse range of backgrounds and cultures received their Australian Citizenship. Welcome to all those people who have chosen to make the region your home.

Enjoy the rest of your Summer break and school holidays, keep cool and stay safe while travelling.

NEWSC O M M U N I T Y

SUPER XV RUGBY TEAMS IN MUDGEE

WARATAHS v BRUMBIES

$1.6m

36pm4th$15

estimated injection

into the local economy

pre-season trial matches ahead

of the 2017 Super Rugby Season

kick-off of the main feature between

NSW Waratahs and Brumbies

February from 3pm-8pm - save

the date!

price of general admission pre-

game tickets for adults

3pm gates open at Glen Willow

Regional Sports Stadium

Mayor Des Kennedy

PROVIDING SERVICES AND ACTIVITIES FOR OUR YOUTH

REGIONAL FORUM TOWARDS10 YEAR YOUTH STRATEGY

REGION’S YOUTH DISCUSS PRIORITIES FOR THE FUTURE

Council teams are currently finalising works on new playgrounds at Moufarrige and Interact Parks in Mudgee.

Old equipment has been removed to make way for the upgraded playgrounds that include new slides, swings and climbing structures. In addition to the new play equipment, Council has completed landscaping works and installed soft fall.

Shade sails have also been installed at Moufarrige and Lawson Park playgrounds, this helps to ensure children and families have an enjoyable park experience.

At Gilbey Park in South Mudgee, a push bike track has been completed while at Victoria Park in Mudgee a portion of the soft fall is being removed and rubber surfacing installed.

Council maintains 56 parks in the Mid-Western Region, with 30 playgrounds upgraded within the last eight years.

Young people from across the region joined Council staff and community members for the first regional Youth Forum in December.

Council resolved to convene the forum and develop a ten-year strategy to include: additional youth activities; youth education beyond High School; youth employment; and general strategies for

retaining youth within our community.

Forum attendees developed an extensive list of economic, social, education, recreational, cultural and health priorities. This ‘wish list’, that ranges from affordable housing to an aquatic centre, will contribute to the development of a long-term Youth Strategy.

NEW PLAYGROUNDS MOUFARRIGE AND INTERACT PARKS

NEWS IN

BRIEF

GORDON BRAY NAMEDAUSTRALIA DAY AMBASSADOR

Australia’s ‘voice of rugby’ Gordon Bray, has

been announced as the region’s Australia

Day Ambassador. Residents are invited to

celebrate with the sports commentator at

the region’s Australia Day event at Rylstone

Showground on 26 January. The day will

include a free barbecue breakfast, market

and food stalls, live music and the an-

nouncement of Australia Day awards.

LIBRARY CATALOGUE UPGRADE

The library catalogue has recently

undergone a major upgrade that includes

additional features for borrowers. Visit the

library website for more information. The

Mudgee Library Mega Book Sale continues

this month with plenty of books (large

print, adult fiction, non-fiction, young adult

and children’s), DVDs and CDs available.

PRESENT YOUR INITIATIVE FOR CONSIDERATION IN THE BUDGETCouncil considers new infrastructure and

service delivery projects as part of the budgeting process each year. Council has

commenced planning for the 2017/18 operational budget and is accepting

community proposals for consideration during the budgeting process. Submissions

can be sent to the General Manager.

KRISTIE WARD WINS 2016 NSW LOCAL GOVERNMENT PROCUREMENT AWARDMid-Western Regional Council’s Manager Procurement, Kristie Ward has won the 2016 NSW Local Government Procurement Professionals Award.

Kristie and her team of procurement staff are responsible for finding, acquiring and buying goods, services or works from an external source on behalf of Council.

Procurement includes all of Council’s major purchases from tendering for items including uniforms, fuel and hardware. The improved procurement procedures and policies that Kristie has implemented

over the last two years have saved Council hundreds of thousands of dollars and countless staff hours.

Kristie’s work has increased transparency, improved working relationships with Council’s service providers and increased value for money on Council’s large procurement spend.

The winners of the 2016 Local Government Procurement Awards were announced by Chief Executive Officer of Local Government Procurement, Luke Kenny, at an awards night at Sydney Masonic Centre.

Nine Mid-Western Region residents received their Australian Citizenship at a special ceremony held in the Council Chambers last month.

The new citizens, who hail from China, the United Kingdom, the USSR, the Philippines, Vietnam and Nepal, contribute a diverse range of cultures and experience to our community.

The group of new Australians were welcomed by Mayor Des Kennedy as they took the Citizenship Pledge before family and friends.

NINE NEW AUSTRALIANS RECEIVE

FAIRYDALE AND SALEYARD LANES OFFICIALLYOPENED BY MEMBER FOR DUBBO TROY GRANTFairydale and Saleyard Lanes are now complete following major upgrades completed in the 2016/17 year. Member for Dubbo Troy Grant joined Mayor Des Kennedy, General Manager Brad Cam and Director Operations Daryl Colwell at an official opening recently. The $2.6 million project, funded through the NSW Government’s Restart NSW Cobbora

Transition Fund, included widening, realignment, rehabilitation and resurfacing of the existing pavement. Two major culverts and stormwater drainage were installed as well as a shared use pathway for cyclists and pedestrians.The project is part of Council’s long term plan to accommodate increased traffic from the residents of Bellevue Estate and future developments.

COMMUNITY GRANT APPLICATIONS OPENApplications for the next round of Community Grants are now open. Each year Council provides financial assistance to not-for-profit community groups for local projects and activities that make a significant contribution to the community. Applications close 10 February 2017, to be considered by Council at its April meeting. Applications are available on Council’s website.

CITIZENSHIP

BE PREPARED FOR THE

BUSHFIRE SEASON

With above average bushfire activity

expected this season, Essential Energy

is urging property owners to act now

to minimise fire risk around homes and

farms. Basic things such as mowing lawns

regularly and clearing leaves and debris

from gutters and ensuring wood piles

are stored away from homes can help to

protect your property from fire.

HAVE YOU HAD YOUR SAY? Council is seeking community input and feedback as it updates the long-term plan for our region. Reviewed every four years, the Towards 2030 Community Plan sets out where, as a community, we want to be in the year 2030. Tell us your wish list for the top 5 projects you would like Council to consider by completing an online survey on Council’s website or by visiting any Council Administration Centre.

Glen Willow Regional Sports Stadium

will host the final Country v City match

on Sunday, 7 May. It will be the second

time the venue has hosted the fixture

after more than 8,500 people attended

the match in 2012. Tickets for the

Country v City match will go on sale

shortly at www.nrl.com/tickets with fans

encouraged to secure their seats early.

COUNTRY V CITY ANNOUNCED

Mid-Western Regional Council86 Market Street | PO Box 156 MUDGEE 2850T 02 6378 2850 or 1300 765002 | F 02 6378 2815E council@midwestern.nsw.gov.au www.midwestern.nsw.gov.au

2017 EVENTS

CALENDAR

Mudgee Celebrity Golf Classic

NSW Waratahs v Brumbies Trial Match

Mudgee Show and Rodeo

Rylstone Kandos Show

3

4

3 - 5

24 - 25

JANUARY

For more information about events, visit Council’s ‘Events’ page online:www.midwestern.nsw.gov.au/events

Live.

Work.

Invest.

Visit.

Road projects this month include the rehabilitation and reseal

of Church Street, between Redbank and Spring Road. Works

are underway in some areas of Oporto Road in preparation

for resealing in February while Madeira Road will undergo

road pavement improvements. Works will also continue at

the intersection upgrade of Lewis and Market Streets. Traffic

controls and detours will be in place and motorists are asked to

drive with extra care.

Mid-Western Regional Council is an award winning organisation

offering a range of career opportunities in areas such as admin,

planning and development, water supply and waste water, parks

and gardens, libraries and operations.

Core values of respect and integrity are an important part of

working life. For current positions vacant, go to

‘Employment’ on Council’s website.

Council has secured $63,000 in grant funding for three projects under the NSW Government’s Community Building Partnership Program. The funding will contribute to court upgrades at Gulgong Tennis Club, canteen upgrades at Billy Dunn Oval and the installation of additional lighting at the Glen Willow Car Park. Council continues to pursue funding to improve the region’s infrastructure and provide services to benefit the community.

The annual Kandos Street Machine and Hot Rod Show will be held on 28-29 January in Kandos. From an open air Show and Shine to burnout finals, a bucking bull, fireworks and kids’ entertainment, there’s plenty for the whole family to enjoy. The annual car show attracts competitors and spectators from around the state to Simpkins Park in Kandos.

CONTACT MID-WESTERN REGIONAL COUNCIL

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Mudgee Rugby League 9s Tournament 25 - 26

Mudgee Swap Meet

Mudgee Fine Foods Farm Walks

Australia Day Celebrations at Rylstone Showground

14 - 15

22

26

Gulgong Show 18

Mudgee Races 5

YOUR COUNCIL REPRESENTATIVES www.midwestern.nsw.gov.au

CR DES KENNEDYMAYOR(02) 6378 2850 0403 995 533 0428 670 905 0427 662 486

CR PAUL CAVALIER DEPUTY MAYOR

CR ALEX KARAVAS CR JOHN O’NEILL

0422 219 911

CR RUSSELL HOLDEN

(02) 6358 8237

CR ESME MARTENS

(02) 6374 0226

CR PERCY THOMPSON

0431 208 646

CR SAM PAINE

0403 156 405

CR PETER SHELLEY

FEBRUARY

Kandos Street Machine & Hot Rod Show 28 - 29

MARCH