Council – Page 6 – Glen Innes News

Aug

08

2025

Council Seeks Locals for Promotional Photo and Video Shoot

Council, Local NewsGlen Innes Severn Council, Rhonda Bombell

Glen Innes Severn Council is calling on local businesses, community members and groups to be part of the next phase of its destination marketing efforts, with expressions of interest now open for a new content shoot supporting the Get in Here and New England High Country campaigns. The Spring 2025 photo and video shoot will take place on Thursday, 30 October 2025, and aims to build on the momentum created by the initial phase of the campaigns. That first phase resulted in a community-led YouTube video, a series of well-received social media reels, and a library of high-quality photos showcasing…

Aug

06

2025

By Newsroom

Entries Open for Christmas in the Highlands Art Trail

Council, Local NewsChristmas In The Highlands, Glen Innes Severn Council, Illuminations, John Graham, Margot Davis, NSW Government, Rhonda Bombell, Transport for New South Wales

Glen Innes Severn Council is inviting artists, schools, clubs and community groups to submit original banner artworks for display in the Glen Innes town centre during the Christmas in the Highlands – Illuminations event. Sixteen artworks will be selected for the 2025 Christmas Art Trail, which will decorate the main streets from Saturday 29 November 2025 through to 11 January 2026. This year’s theme is “What does Glen Innes at Christmas mean to you?” and participants are encouraged to explore ideas such as highland magic, cultural and festive traditions, Celtic roots, starry nights, or their own creative interpretations. “We’re looking…

Aug

04

2025

By Newsroom

Free Training to Help Boost Local Business

CouncilDavid Engwicht, Glen Innes Severn Council, Highlands Hub, Rhonda Bombell

Retailers in the Glen Innes region are being encouraged to take part in a free training initiative designed to attract more customers and revitalise the local shopping experience. The Town Boosters program, funded by Glen Innes Severn Council, offers local businesses access to an online course that uses placemaking principles to help boost trade and foot traffic. The program is open to up to 100 local businesses, with the training valued at $199 being offered at no cost. The flexible online course includes four short modules, taking a total of just 33 minutes to complete. It covers proven strategies for…

Aug

02

2025

By Newsroom

Glen Innes Helps in Mid North Coast Flood Recovery

Council, Local NewsBernard Smith, Glen Innes Severn Council, jetpatcher, Margot Davis, MidCoast Council, Stephen Crabbe

Glen Innes Severn Council has supported recovery efforts in the MidCoast Council area following the severe flooding event that struck the Mid North Coast in late May. The flood, classified as a 1-in-500-year event, caused widespread damage to infrastructure and local road networks across the region. In response, a coordinated inter-Council support initiative—led by Lake Macquarie City Council—was launched to assist with emergency recovery works. As part of the initiative, Glen Innes Severn Council was contracted to carry out urgent road repairs in the Gloucester area. Council deployed a jetpatcher truck, operated by staff member Stephen Crabbe, to assist with…

Aug

01

2025

By Newsroom

Countback Election to Fill Council Vacancy: Key Dates Announced

Council, Local NewsGlen Innes Severn Council, NSW Electoral Commission, Troy Arandale

Following the recent resignation of Cr Arandale, the NSW Electoral Commission has confirmed that a countback election will be held to fill the resulting vacancy on Glen Innes Severn Council. Under NSW electoral law, a countback election is used when a councillor resigns mid-term and was originally elected through proportional representation. Rather than holding a full by-election, the Electoral Commission reviews ballots from the previous council election to identify which unelected candidate is next eligible to take the seat, based on the preferences expressed by voters at that time. The process avoids the cost and time associated with a fresh…

Jul

31

2025

By Newsroom

Council GM Defends Staff, Urges Unity

Council, Local NewsBernard Smith, Glen Innes Severn Council

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…

Jul

30

2025

By Newsroom

Local Government Minister Visits Glen Innes

Council, Local NewsBernard Smith, Cameron Gaddes, Margot Davis, Paige McLoughlin, Ron Hoenig

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…

Jul

29

2025

By Newsroom

July Council Meeting Summary and Highlights

CouncilAustralian Celtic Festival, David Scott, Glen Innes Severn Council, Housing and Infrastructure, King George V Oval, New England CT, NSW Department of Planning

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,…

Jul

25

2025

By Newsroom

Explainer: Council Countback Elections

Council, Local NewsAnne Vosper, Elena Weatherall, Glen Innes Severn Council, Troy Arandale

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…

Jul

24

2025

By Newsroom

Councillor Troy Arandale Resigns

Council, Local NewsAndrew Parsons, Anne Vosper, Elena Weatherall, Glen Innes Severn Council, Margot Davis, Troy Arandale

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…