With the weather still remaining dry and windy along with the closure of local schools during the extreme fire danger last week, we all need to remain vigilant and have fire plans in place even with permits approved.
Bogan Shire held a council meeting recently and during the meeting the council agreed it will apply for Women’s Week Grant in 2024. The funding invitation from the NSW Premiers Department will see an allocation of between $30,000 and $50,000
for proposed events. If the grant application is successful the events will be to celebrate the diverse contributions of women and girls in our communities and reflect on their achievements. The activities for events must align and support with at least one of the different categories listed for the grant application, the first category is Economic Opportunity and Advancement, meaning to celebrate and promote women’s financial wellbeing and also celebrate and promote diverse employment and opportunities for women and girls. Example of activities could include financial information sessions, career advice for women in STEM industries (Science,
technology, engineering and mathematics). Another Category for the event is Women’s Health and Wellbeing, this category is to promote a wholistic approach to women’s health through activities that could include school information sessions for healthy body image, sport participation programs and mental health supports. The third category to consider for the funding is Participation and Empowerment, this being to build confidence and resilience of women and girls. Celebrating
achievements and providing opportunities to actively participate in their communities. This could be provided through mentoring, social networking events.
There have been a couple of amendments to council policies through the LEP (Local Environmental Planning) and Minister from Department of planning to expand possibilities in Agritourism across NSW. The new changes mean that a farm experience premises and any place or building, be it a commercial farm, ancillary to the farm and for a commercial basis of providing visitors to a farm for low impact
tourism and recreational activities in the Bogan Shire. This could include such things as, horse riding, farm tours, functions, conferences and farm field days. Farm gate premises policy has also seen amendments to the Shire policy to now allow processing, packaging and sale of the product but not the processing of animals on farms. Preparation and serving of drinks on a retail basis on a food and drink premises whether or not liquor, takeaway meals, drinks or entertainment are provided. Tasting workshops and inclusions of cellar door premises and provision of information or education related to products on a premises. It has also seen the removal of a 100 visitors limit, so farmers now have greater flexibility for visitors on
their premises. The amendments took effect on the 18th of August 2023.
Council crews are continuing with heavy patching on the sealed sections of Cannonba and Colane Roads. Improving formation and drainage is being carried out on Colane, Benah and Merryanbone Roads. Crews are also finishing the 10kms of Rehabilitation of Mitchell Highway 15kms northwest of Nyngan. Re-sheeting is also being completed on Cockies Road past the Four Ways. Oneills road re-sheeting of about 3kms is also near completion.
Hope everyone has an enjoyable fortnight.
Mayor Glen Neill