Council – Page 9 – Glen Innes News

May

12

2025

Environmental Corridor at Glen Innes Waste Facility Set for Restoration

Council, Local NewsBrendan Moylan, Glen Innes Severn Council, Glen Innes Waste Facility, NSW Government

An environmental corridor at the Glen Innes Waste Facility is set to be rehabilitated following the award of a $20,000 grant from the NSW State Government. The funding will support the reintroduction of native trees and plants to an area of land that was originally cleared in the 1960s to accommodate landfill operations. In 2017, access to the landfill was redirected, and remediation of the site commenced in 2021. This work included the removal of waste material, reshaping and stabilising the slope, and the addition of soil designed to support vegetation growth. With the new funding, Glen Innes Severn Council…

May

06

2025

By Newsroom

Council Strengthens Support for Glen Innes Community Centre

Council, Local NewsElena Weatherall, Glen Innes & District Community Centre, Glen Innes Severn Council, Homes North, Margot Davis

Glen Innes Severn Council has reaffirmed its commitment to the Glen Innes & District Community Centre (GIDCC), recognising the organisation’s key role in delivering essential frontline services and promoting social connection throughout the region. The GIDCC operates as a community-led hub, providing a broad range of vital services. These include emergency relief, youth support, programs for seniors, skills workshops and service referrals—addressing ongoing challenges in accessing services across rural communities. At its April 2025 meeting, Council endorsed a comprehensive support package aimed at addressing immediate needs and ensuring long-term sustainability. The package includes advocacy with Homes North to enhance service…

May

01

2025

By Newsroom

Temporary Road Closures for 2025 Australian Celtic Festival

Council, Local NewsAustralian Celtic Festival, Glen Innes Severn Council

Glen Innes motorists and residents are advised to plan ahead as several temporary road closures will be in place across the town for the 2025 Australian Celtic Festival, taking place from Friday 2 May to Sunday 4 May. The Glen Innes Severn Council has announced the following road closures to ensure the smooth running of festival events: Friday 2 May:Grey Street, between Bourke Street and Town Square, will be closed from 9:30am to approximately 1:45pm to accommodate the Festival Opening Ceremony. Saturday 3 May:Grey Street, from Lang Street to Meade Street, will be closed between 8:00am and 11:30am for the…

May

01

2025

By David Lewis

Glen Innes Severn Council Under Scrutiny Over $5 Million Overdraft

Council, Local NewsBernard Smith, David Scott, Glen Innes Severn Council, Office of Local Government

A $5 million overdraft facility taken out by Glen Innes Severn Council has drawn criticism from some councillors, who have raised concerns over transparency and compliance with local government procedures. At a council meeting on Thursday, 24 April, General Manager Bernard Smith defended the facility, which was extended by the National Australia Bank in 2024. Mr Smith said the overdraft had been established to manage cash flow while the Council awaited reimbursement for already completed and paid-for grant-funded projects. "Importantly, the facility hasn't been drawn down," Mr Smith told councillors during the meeting. Although Council already had an existing $200,000…

May

01

2025

By Newsroom

Upgrade for CCTV Systems in Glen Innes

Council, Local NewsANZAC Park, Glen Innes Severn Council, Margot Davis

Significant upgrades to Glen Innes’ local CCTV infrastructure are set to commence soon, with Glen Innes Severn Council announcing plans to expand and modernise surveillance systems across the town centre and, for the first time, at ANZAC Park. Scheduled to begin between late May and early June, the project will see 16 new high-definition cameras installed on four streetlight poles located between the Bourke Street and Meade Street intersections—four cameras per pole—substantially increasing coverage throughout the central business district. Further improvements include the addition of 13 cameras around the perimeter of the Town Hall. The existing system within the building…

Apr

29

2025

By Newsroom

New Sensory Garden Opens in Glen Innes

Council, Local NewsAnthony Williams, Brendan Moylan, Glen Innes Severn Council, Life Choices, Margot Davis, Stronger Country Communities Fund

Glen Innes’ new sensory garden has officially opened, thanks to a $100,000 grant from Round 5 of the Stronger Country Communities Fund. The garden, part of Glen Innes Severn Council’s Life Choices Support Services (LC-SS), has been specially designed to engage all five senses. With a mix of carefully chosen plants, textured surfaces, water features and other calming elements, the space aims to support people with sensory processing needs. The idea for the project was led by the late Anthony Williams, Glen Innes Severn Council’s former manager of community services, and it now stands as a tribute to his work…

Apr

28

2025

By David Lewis

Council to Consult Community on Possible Rate Rise

Council, Local NewsAndrew Parsons, Bernard Smith, David Scott, Deepwater, Emmaville, Glen Innes Severn Council, Glen Innes Severn Public & TAFE Library, IPART, Margot Davis, Special Rate Variation, Troy Arandale

Glen Innes Severn Council will consult the community on a proposed special rate variation (SRV) that could see rates increase by up to 68.5 per cent over three years, as part of its effort to address long-term financial sustainability. At its Ordinary Meeting held in April, councillors endorsed a number of strategies and plans under the Shaping Tomorrow Community Engagement Program. The program will gauge ratepayer sentiment on future planning priorities and potential SRV options. The community consultation period will run until 6 June 2025, with a final decision to be made at the Council’s meeting on 19 June. The…

Apr

22

2025

By David Lewis

Council to Vote on Proposed Rate Rise to Tackle Budget Shortfall

Council, Local NewsGlen Innes Severn Council, IPART, Margot Davis, Special Rate Variation

Glen Innes Severn Council will vote on whether to adopt a number of long term plans, which include a proposed increase in rates, at its next meeting to be held on 24th April. Council, in a recent media release, highlighted that Council's General Fund is not financially sustainable. As a result, it is becoming increasingly difficult to maintain and upgrade essential infrastructure such as roads, bridges, kerbing and guttering, parks, drainage, buildings and other community assets or provide new community facilities. This has prompted Council to consider the option of applying to the NSW Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART)…

Apr

17

2025

By Newsroom

Council Works Program – Period Ending Friday 5th May 2025

CouncilCouncil Works Schedule, Glen Innes Severn Council

The following works are scheduled in the period ending Friday 5 May 2025 subject to weather conditions and unforeseen delays: Jetpatching in the Glen Innes Township, and Old Grafton Road; General street sweeping around the Glen Innes Township; The Roads Construction Crew will be working on Wellington Vale Road; Maintenance grading is scheduled for Hazelwood Road, Tindal Road, Riley's Road, Euroka Road, Grahams Valley Road, Nant Park Road, Rangers Valley Road, Wycliffe Road, and Spicers Road. The Heavy Patching Crew will be undertaking urban heavy patching a various locations as part of the urban heave patching reseal program. The Bridge team will…

Apr

11

2025

By Newsroom

Parking Patrols Underway in Glen Innes CBD

Council, Local NewsGlen Innes Severn Council

Glen Innes Severn Council is advising the local community that Council Rangers will be conducting parking patrols throughout the Glen Innes CBD during April 2025. The patrols are part of Council’s ongoing efforts to ensure parking spaces in the CBD are used fairly and equitably by all road users. A key focus of the patrols will be the regulation of Disabled Parking Zones. These designated spaces are essential in providing easier access to services in the CBD for people with limited mobility or senior residents, by reducing the distance they need to travel from their vehicles. Individuals holding a valid…