A large turnout of concerned residents attended a public meeting on Wednesday, seeking clarity and voicing anxieties regarding Glen Innes Severn Council's proposed financial measures, including a Special Rate Variation (SRV) and other increased fees. The meeting, intended to be a comprehensive overview, quickly transitioned into a robust question-and-answer session as residents pressed Council officials on the rationale and impact of the proposed increases. Council representatives opened the evening by highlighting the shire's precarious financial state, stating the Council is not currently financially sustainable and faces a projected average general fund deficit of around several million dollars over the next…
Glen Innes Severn Council continues to seek feedback from the community about its proposal to apply for a Special Rate Variation, with the next information session being held at the Glen Innes Town Hall this evening. Residents are encouraged to attend and learn more about Council’s future plans, its long term financial sustainability and their proposal for a Special Rate Variation. Council is contemplating a rate rise of up to 68% over three years in an effort to make council financially sustainable. Rate payers will be able to speak directly with Councillors and key stakeholders, pick up printed information and…
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…
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…
Glen Innes is among the few places in the world to have its own officially registered tartan, a unique emblem of the town's strong Scottish and Celtic heritage. The tartan was designed by local residents Peter Bruce and Lex Ritchie, with each colour representing different aspects of the region. Light blue for the clear daytime skies; Royal blue for the sapphires that the New England is renowned for; Dark blue for the night skies in which the Southern Cross is prominent; Red symbolises our Celtic blood link; and White for fidelity with the Celtic past and traditions. Officially registered with…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
