Month: July 2025

Jul
31
2025
By Newsroom
Council GM Defends Staff, Urges Unity

Council GM Defends Staff, Urges Unity

Council, Local News,
Glen Innes Severn Council’s General Manager, Bernard Smith, has issued a public message urging the community to uphold respectful and constructive engagement with Council and its staff. In a statement shared via the Council’s official Facebook page, Mr Smith addressed the challenges of misinformation, personal attacks and a decline in civility, while reaffirming Council’s commitment to the wellbeing of its workforce. The message, that was posted on Facebook on Thursday evening, said: "As General Manager of Glen Innes Severn Council, I’m proud to lead an organisation committed to delivering for our community. This year has started strongly, and following extensive…
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Jul
31
2025
By Mrs Nikki Lee
Junior AFL Success for Local Teams

Junior AFL Success for Local Teams

Sports, ,
Glen Innes Celts Junior AFL Club hosted Round 5 of the AFL North West Junior Gala Days on Sunday 27 July 2025. Players who had travelled from Gunnedah, Tamworth, Armidale, Inverell along with our Glen Innes Celts, braved the icy conditions for 8 games of AFL across the day. This year, our Under 12 and Under 14s players have joined forces with the Inverell Saints, resulting in two strong teams in both divisions. AFL continues to grow in Glen Innes with Auskick and Superkick on a Thursday afternoon during Term 2 and into Term 3 for 5-12 year olds along…
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Jul
30
2025
By Newsroom
Local Government Minister Visits Glen Innes

Local Government Minister Visits Glen Innes

Council, Local News, , , ,
The Hon. Ron Hoenig, NSW Minister for Local Government, visited Glen Innes on Tuesday 29 July to meet with Glen Innes Severn Council. The visit began at Glen Innes Town Hall, where Mayor Margot Davis and General Manager Bernard Smith welcomed the Minister for a wide-ranging discussion. Key issues raised included the financial pressures on rural councils, structural challenges, and concerns about the current Special Rate Variation (SRV) process. “Rural councils are expected to deliver core services and infrastructure with increasingly limited resources,” Cr Davis said. “It’s vital that state decision-makers understand the pressures we face and support reforms that…
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Jul
29
2025
By Newsroom
July Council Meeting Summary and Highlights

July Council Meeting Summary and Highlights

Council, , , , , ,
At its Ordinary Meeting held on 24 July 2025, Glen Innes Severn Council considered a range of matters spanning health infrastructure, financial reporting, planning proposals, renewable energy policy, and the future direction of the Australian Celtic Festival. Green Light for New CT Scanner Facility Council approved a development application for the establishment of a new CT scanning facility at 148 Church Street, Glen Innes. The application (DA 68/24-25) also included associated building alterations, signage, and external works. No objections were received during the public exhibition period, and the proposal was recommended for approval by Council’s consulting town planner. The applicant,…
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Jul
27
2025
By Newsroom
Photo Gallery – Glen Innes Marks 75th Anniversary of the Korean War

Photo Gallery – Glen Innes Marks 75th Anniversary of the Korean War

Local News,
On Sunday morning, members of the Glen Innes community gathered at Anzac Park to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the Korean War. Despite cold winds and grey skies, the rain held off as veterans, school representatives, and local residents came together to honour those who served in the conflict—particularly the Australians who paid the ultimate sacrifice. Flags in the memorial park were flown at half mast in tribute. Several wreaths were laid during the service, which was organised by the Glen Innes RSL Sub-Branch.  
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Jul
26
2025
By Carmen Elvins
History of the Glen Innes Ag Station (Part 1)

History of the Glen Innes Ag Station (Part 1)

Local News, Rural
The Glen Innes Experiment Farm was gazetted in 1901. In his 1901 report, the Chief Inspector of Agriculture emphasised the importance of establishing experimental farms stating "the sites were selected for the purpose of ascertaining (by experiment) the most suitable crops for the district, to collect facts for determination of best times to sow and plant, and various matters of that sort” The Farm set about primarily to study and improve the agricultural and pastoral issues of the New England Tablelands, and to conduct suitable research on such that was deemed too expensive for private landowners. The site was heavily…
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Jul
25
2025
By Newsroom
Explainer: Council Countback Elections

Explainer: Council Countback Elections

Council, Local News, , ,
The resignation of Councillor Troy Arandale from Glen Innes Severn Council has prompted the start of a countback election process — a method used in New South Wales to fill council vacancies without holding a full by-election. How Does It Work? When a councillor resigns mid-term, and they were elected via proportional representation, the NSW Electoral Commission can conduct a countback election rather than a fresh vote. Here’s how the process unfolds: • The Commission contacts all unelected candidates from the previous council election to determine who is still eligible to fill the vacancy. • These candidates are invited to…
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Jul
25
2025
By Newsroom
Man Charged Over Attempted Glen Innes Robbery

Man Charged Over Attempted Glen Innes Robbery

Local News
A 20-year-old man has been charged in relation to an alleged attempted armed robbery at a service station in Glen Innes. At approximately 7.50am on Thursday 24 July, a man armed with a knife entered a service station on Church Street and allegedly demanded cash from the attendant. Police were told the attendant refused the demand and locked the staff area, prompting the man to leave the premises on foot without obtaining any money. Officers from the New England Police District attended the scene and commenced an investigation. Later that morning, at around 11.30am, police were patrolling Church Street when…
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Jul
24
2025
By Newsroom
Councillor Troy Arandale Resigns

Councillor Troy Arandale Resigns

Council, Local News, , , , ,
Glen Innes Severn Council has received the resignation of Councillor Troy Arandale, who stepped down from his position effective immediately on Thursday morning. Mayor Margot Davis acknowledged Cr Arandale’s contribution to Council during his almost five-year tenure, during which he also served as Deputy Mayor for a time. “On behalf of Council, I would like to thank Councillor Arandale for his service over almost five years,” Cr Davis said. “Councillor Arandale served as Deputy Mayor for part of his term and, like all councillors, contributed time and effort to the role in service to the community.” Cr Davis, who is…
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Jul
24
2025
By Newsroom
Council Works Program – Period Ending Friday 8th August 2025

Council Works Program – Period Ending Friday 8th August 2025

Council,
The following works are scheduled  subject in the period ending Friday 8 August 2025 to weather conditions and unforeseen delays:  Jetpatching on Strathbogie Road, Emmaville Road and the Glen Innes Township; General street sweeping around the Glen Innes Township; Roadside slashing is planned on Wellington Vale Road; The Roads Construction Crew will be working  on Wellington Vale Road; Maintenance grading is scheduled for Aqua Park Road, Sara River road, Warra Forrest Road and Mt Slow Road, Emmaville village and Morgan's Road; The Heavy Patching Crew will be undertaking urban heavy patching crew will be working on Tablelands Road; The Bridge team will be…
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