FROM THE MAYOR'S DESK: 31 OCTOBER 2017

Pre-schools centre piece of council funding application

Pre-schools at Molong and Cudal could double their number of placements if a Cabonne Council funding application to expand both centres is successful.

Council is seeking grants of almost $300,000 each for the major expansion of both the Molong Early Learning Centre and Cudal Community Children’s Centre under the NSW Government’s Stronger Country Communities Fund.

Council will also be seeking funding for a $105,000 shared mobility access pathway to Mullion Creek Public School and about $140,000 for shared mobility access pathways at Manildra and Cudal.

All NSW Local Government Areas have been allocated a minimum of $1.5 million over two years for projects, worth at least $100,000, to make their areas more attractive places to live and work. In Cabonne’s case, the allocation is a little over $1.6 million with $816,000 available for the current round of funding.

Council received a strong response from community groups, which submitted a range of projects to be considered. However the two pre-school projects met the key criteria of being “shovel ready” and aligning with the State Government’s priorities and programs and Council’s community strategic plan.

They also had overwhelming community support when placed on exhibition for public comment.

While organisations do not have to providing a matching contribution, co-contributions are likely to enhance the success of the funding applications and both pre-schools will be making substantial co-contributions to their expansion projects.

Proposals which did not receive priority this time may be reconsidered for the next round and I’m sure others will be submitted when the next round of the Stronger Country Communities Fund is announced.

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Communities will be consulted and a brand-recognition study conducted before Council considers any rebranding strategy which would involve replacing Cabonne’s widely known food-basket logo.

Although Cabonne has had its current brand for many years, councillors believe there is little need to replace it unless there is strong community sentiment to do so.

Designing a new brand would probably cost about $20,000, but the ultimate cost of replacing signage, stationery and other materials could exceed $1 million. That’s money Council believes could be much better spent elsewhere if there is no overwhelming need to introduce a new brand and logo.

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Australia Day celebrations will be held throughout Cabonne next year and preparations are well underway, with nominations closing this week for 2018 Citizen of the Year, Young Citizen of the Year and Community Group of the Year awards in various towns and villages.

Our Australia Day ambassador and official party will attend celebrations at Borenore, Cudal, Manildra and Yeoval, while Council representatives will also attend award presentations at Canowindra, Cargo, Cumnock, Eugowra, Molong and Mullion Creek.

The NSW Australia Day Council is expected to announce Australia Day ambassadors for 2018 early next month.

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Nine community projects valued at almost $32,000 will receive funding under the first round of Cabonne Council’s 2017-18 Community Assistance Program. At its most recent meeting, Council allocated funding for the following projects:

Installation of heaters at Nashdale Hall, $2094.

The purchase of a lawn mower at Cumnock Golf Club, $5299.

The purchase of a sprinkler system, paving, tables and chairs at the Eugowra swimming pool, $3030.

The delivery of a digital-literacy program at Nashdale Public School, $2500.

Replacement of Griffith Memorial Park sign at Manildra, $990.

Interpretive signage at Cumnock, $9813.

Storage shed at Cudal Community Children’s Centre, $2644.

Installation of sliding doors at Eugowra Rural Transaction Centre, $5220.

Portable shade structure at the Manildra swimming pool, $400.

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A second round of CAP funding will open early in 2018 to provide further funding for projects on non-commercial facilities or properties, which provide ongoing benefits to our Cabonne communities.

Grants are allocated on a 50:50 basis, but communities can provide their half of the funding though voluntary labour or in-kind contributions.

The next round will be notified through your local community newspapers and on Council’s website and Facebook page.

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Council has also provided a further $2500 to community events under its 2017-18 Events Assistance Program, allocating $2000 to the Banjo Paterson Australian Poetry Festival in February next year and $500 to the Canowindra Domestic Violence Committee for its White Ribbon Day March on 24 November 2017.

So far this year, Council has allocated $32,000 to help local groups promote community events which attract visitors and tourism dollars to our towns and villages.

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Hopefully, Yeoval residents will receive a part-day local public holiday for the village’s annual show next year.

After canvassing the Yeoval community, Council has lodged a formal application with the Minister for Industrial Relations, Dominic Perrottet, for a part-day holiday from 8.30am to 7pm on Tuesday 1 May 2018.

The part-day public holiday, which has been granted for the past four years, does not have the same impact on businesses which may have to pay employees extended penalty rates.

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It was a great honour to open the new Cudal fire shed on October 28. These fire sheds are among the most important community facilities Council provides, in conjunction with the NSW Rural Fire Service.

With a worrying fire season predicted this summer, this new building is a fantastic resource for volunteer firefighters in the Cudal district and could be crucial to protecting lives and property in the area.

Based on media release issued by Cabonne Council.