Council Update

This is a copy of the weekly Conversation with the GM and Council News as published in the Blayney Chronicle. 

A Conversation with the GM

Want to be a Councillor?

The NSW Local Government Elections will be held for all Councils on Saturday 4 December 2021 from 8am to 6pm.  You can vote at the following polling booths:

• Blayney Shire Community Centre
• Millthorpe Public School
• Barry Community Hall
• Carcoar Public School
• Mandurama Public School

Pre poll voting is open for 2 weeks from Monday 22 November to Friday 3 December, at the Blayney Shire Community Centre from 9.30am to 4pm each weekday.
The election is conducted by the NSW Electoral Commission, and information regarding nomination process, time frames, election material and if you are thinking of standing for Council, we have a link on Council’s website to the NSW Electoral Commission LGE21 page https://www.elections.nsw.gov.au/lge21 which has all the information you need if you are thinking of becoming a Councillor or if you are supporting a friend or family member who is nominating.

If you have not already viewed, there are recorded webinars specifically for candidates under the ‘Information for candidates and groups’ tab.

Blayney Shire Council hosted an information session back in June, and we have copies of the presentation given by Local Government NSW Presenter Dr Jenny Dowell OAM.  If you would like a copy, please contact Lauren Ferson on Ph 6368 9632.

Voting

Voting is compulsory for those residents on the electoral role and you can vote a number of ways;

1. In person, either during the pre poll period or on election day at any of the polling booth locations, as listed above in the Blayney Shire. 
2. Via Postal Vote, and applications must be submitted by Monday 29 November 2021 https://elections.nsw.gov.au/Voters/Other-voting-options/Postal-voting 
3. Online and operator assisted voting (iVote) https://elections.nsw.gov.au/Voters/Online-voting-iVote 

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the NSW Electoral Commission will not be offering voting at declared institutions and facilities during the 2021 Local Government elections.

Key Dates

The election timetable can be found on the NSW Electoral Commission website under the heading ‘What are the key dates?

Monday 25 October	Lodgement of Nominations Open
Tuesday 26 October	Lodgement of postal vote applications open
Wednesday 3 November	Close of nominations and close of registration of candidates and groups.
Thursday 4 November	Conduct of Ballot paper draw
Monday 22 November	Pre poll voting period opens
Monday 29 November	close of postal vote applications
Friday 3 November	Pre poll voting closes
Saturday 4 December	Election Day
Monday 6 December	ivote portal closes
Monday 21 December	Declaration of the Poll commences

It is anticipated that the declaration of the poll will not be concluded until Monday 20 or Tuesday 21 December 2021.    Subject to the declaration being made, a Special Council Meeting be held for the new Council on Thursday 23 December, at the normal meeting time of 6pm.  Whilst this may be uncommon, it may be viewed as delivering good governance outcomes to undertake this process before Christmas.   
There will be a very short agenda whereby Councillors will: 

a) undertake their Oath or Affirmation,
b) declare that casual vacancies occurring within 18 months is by countback.
c) elect the Mayor and Deputy Mayor; and 
d) nominate delegates to Central Tablelands Water and Upper Macquarie County Council.

A January meeting on the third Monday, will address the normal Council business agenda items for both December and January, and include Council Committee Chairs and other Council Business reports

Council News

Public Exhibition - Planning Proposal to amend the Blayney Local Environmental Plan 2012

Blayney Shire Council hereby gives public notice that a Planning Proposal to amend the Blayney Local Environmental Plan 2012 is placed on public exhibition for review and comment until 5pm, Friday 19 November 2021.

The proposed changes include;
• Dual Occupancy subdivision in zone R1 General Residential zone (Blayney only), and
• Minimum lot size for the zone R5 Large Lot Residential (Browns Creek Road)

Information is available to view and download on Councils website 
www.blayney.nsw.gov.au/council//your-say/documents-on-public-exhibition

To discuss the planning proposal, contact Councils planning department on 6368 2104.  

Written submissions must be received prior to 5pm Friday 19 November 2021 and can be emailed to planning@blayney.nsw.gov.au 

Blayney and Millthorpe Master Plans

Council has engaged Place Design Group to develop the next phase of the Blayney 2020 Master Plan and implementation strategy, looking at a number of the proposed projects along the main street and surrounding town centre.

In conjunction with the Millthorpe Village Committee, Council has also engaged Place Design Group to develop plans that will invigorate and activate the Millthorpe village centre, ensuring it meets the needs of the local community, people who visit the village and local businesses.

Community Consultation is now open. Visit Council’s website to download the plans, watch the recording of the presentation from September and complete the community survey. Hard copies can also be collected from Council’s office.

Feedback closes: 31 October 2021 

2022 Blayney Shire Music Scholarship 

 Council in conjunction with Mitchell Conservatorium, Bathurst and Orange Regional Conservatorium are offering music tuition scholarships and encouragement awards for students aged between 7 and 18 years who live in the Blayney Shire and wish to further their music studies.  

Application forms are available from Blayney Shire Council or can be downloaded from Council’s website: www.blayney.nsw.gov.au

The form must be returned fully completed by 3 November 2021. Applications attract a non-refundable entry fee of $11.00. Late applications will NOT be accepted.

Positions Vacant

Council currently has the following positions available:

• Administration Officer (Part Time)
• Casual Clean / Facilities Set-up

Applications close at 8.00am on Monday 8 November 2021.
Please refer to Council’s website for an Information Package and details of how to apply for these positions.

 

Road Closure – Carcoar Street, Blayney

Council has recommenced the final stage of the Carcoar Street, Blayney upgrade.

As such, Carcoar Street (between Water and Church Streets) is currently closed for 4 weeks. Directional signage will be in place during the closure to provide residents with alternate routes.

Council asks all road users to obey all signage and directions of traffic controllers during the project and regrets and inconveniences caused during this period.

Council appreciates the community’s understanding as we deliver this project.