Council – Page 8 – Glen Innes News

Aug

01

2025

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…

Jul

24

2025

By Newsroom

Council Works Program – Period Ending Friday 8th August 2025

CouncilCouncil Works Schedule, Glen Innes Severn 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…

Jul

23

2025

By Newsroom

Chair Yoga Classes Move to Larger Venue

Council, Local NewsCarol Sparks, Glen Innes & District Services Club, Life Choices

Glen Innes Severn Council’s Life Choices Support Services (LC-SS) is relocating its popular “Gentle Stretches from a Chair” program to the Glen Innes Services Club following strong community interest and growing attendance numbers. The classes, delivered by Yoga with Bron, offer gentle, chair-based stretching and movement specifically designed to support the physical wellbeing and social connection of aged care participants. The new venue will allow up to 30 people per session and provides a more spacious and accessible environment for the growing group. Acting Mayor Carol Sparks said the Council is encouraged by the strong response to the program and…

Jul

09

2025

By Newsroom

Glen Innes Severn Council Assumes Local Weed Management Duties

Council, Local NewsCarol Sparks, Glen Innes Severn Council, New England Weeds Authority, Ron Hoenig

Glen Innes Severn Council has officially taken on responsibility for invasive and noxious weed control in the local government area, following the dissolution of the New England Weeds Authority (NEWA) last month. The transition, effective from 16 June 2025, marks the end of more than 75 years of operation for NEWA, one of NSW’s first single-purpose county councils established in 1947. NEWA had been responsible for managing invasive weeds across the New England region, acting as the Local Control Authority (LCA) under the Biosecurity Act 2015. The move follows a series of governance and financial issues that came to light…

Jul

04

2025

By Newsroom

Light Poles Restored as Part of Glen Innes Beautification Project

Council, Local NewsGlen Innes Severn Council

The Glen Innes Severn Council has completed restoration works on light poles at the Meade Street and Bourke Street roundabouts along Grey Street. The works, which began on 18 March 2025, involved the temporary removal of both poles to undergo sandblasting, repainting, and polishing. Council noted that these measures were essential to preserve the poles as long-standing heritage and memorial features of the town centre. "We recognise the significance of these fixtures – the light pole on Meade Street is mounted to the ANZAC memorial, while the one on Bourke Street features a heritage theme," Council stated earlier this year.…