Bernard Smith – Glen Innes News

Aug

06

2025

Glen Innes Welcomes Essential Workers

Local NewsBernard Smith, Carol Sparks, Great Central Hotel, Margot Davis, Pagan Kelly, The Welcome Experience

New residents were treated to a warm and lively introduction to Glen Innes at the recent Welcome to Glen Innes Pizza Night, held on Saturday 19 July at the Great Central Hotel. Organised by Local Connect as part of The Welcome Experience — a NSW Government–funded program aimed at supporting the settlement and retention of essential workers in regional communities — the evening brought together around 30 guests in a relaxed and welcoming environment. Led locally by Glen Innes Community Connector Pagan Kelly, the event provided an opportunity for essential workers who are new to the area to meet one…

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…

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…

Jun

14

2025

By David Lewis

Council to Decide on Revised 48.3% Rate Rise

Council, Local NewsBernard Smith, Deepwater, Emmaville, Glen Innes Severn Council, Glencoe, Red Range, Special Rate Variation

Glen Innes Severn Council will consider a revised Special Rate Variation (SRV) proposal at its meeting on 19 June. The revised recommendation follows a six-week community engagement process, “Shaping Tomorrow”, which closed on 6 June 2025. Financial Pressures Prompt Action The Council has reported significant financial pressure in its General Fund, forecasting an average annual operating deficit of $4.7 million from 2025/26 without a rate increase. To help address this, Council has implemented a series of savings measures, identifying more than $600,000 in efficiencies, reducing staff recruitment, and deferring some projects. Additional business improvement measures worth $65,000 annually for five…

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…

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…

Mar

13

2025

By David Lewis

Community Safety Roundtable Well Attended

Council, Local NewsBernard Smith, Brendan Moylan, Glen Innes Severn Council, Margot Davis, NSW Police

On Thursday 6th March Glen Innes Severn Council held a roundtable meeting to discuss community concerns about crime and vandalism that has affected several local businesses over recent months and years. The meeting was proposed in response to a petition that was signed by a large number of Glen Innes businesses and employees urging Council to install CCTV cameras throughout the Glen Innes CBD, allowing perpetrators to be identified and to provide evidence of crimes to assist with successful prosecution. The crimes have caused significant stress to business owners in addition to significant costs involved in repairing doors, windows and…