Inquiries into proposed mergers of NSW Riverina councils get underway

New South Wales councils and ratepayers are being advised delegates overseeing amalgamation meetings are not there to voice opinion on the proposals.

Inquiries were held in Corowa, Urana, Lockhart, Cootamundra and Gundagai in the state’s Riverina region on Thursday to allow residents to speak about the State Government’s council merger plans.

The Baird Government has proposed to reduce the number of NSW councils from 152 to 112.

Corowa Shire Mayor Paul Miegel, said up to 100 people attended the local meeting and most speakers he heard were supportive of a Corowa-Urana amalgamation, but not the inclusion of the Lockhart Shire.

Cr Miegel was first to address the delegate in charge of the Inquiry.

“I managed to hear two other speakers who very much, in their own way, echoed council’s sentiment, and I would be very much surprised if the entire meeting didn’t echo council’s sentiments,” he said.

“We really struggle to see the community of interest with the Lockhart Shire due to their proximity to Wagga.”

Cr Miegel said no decisions on the amalgamations had been made.

“The delegate made it clear from the outset that he was neither for the proposal nor against the proposal,” he said.

“He was there to hear the community concerns based on the criteria that the Local Government Act sets out.

The Mulwala Progress Association is also lobbying to have the town moved from the Corowa to the Berrigan Shire.

Cr Miegel said he understood the group would only go ahead with the Berrigan push, if the three-way merger goes ahead.

“They see no community of interest with Lockhart, plus the huge distances that are entailed,” he said.

“They are concerned there will be a decrease in service delivery to Mulwala because of the shire having to look at the entire region and the huge infrastructure network.”

Member for Cootamundra voices support for voluntary amalgamations

Cootamundra Mayor Jim Slattery said up to 200 people attended the Inquiry in Cootamundra, including representatives of the Gundagai and Harden councils.

The Government has recommended the Cootamundra Shire merge with the Gundagai Shire, but the council wants to amalgamate with the Harden Shire.

Cr Slattery said there was strong community support for the Harden merger.

He was confident in the public consultation process and praised local delegate John Turner.

“They carried out the meeting very professionally and I was very impressed with that and the people understood that,” Cr Slattery said.

The Cootamundra Inquiry heard suggestions of a three way marriage between the Cootamundra, Gundagai and Harden councils.

“We’re still in favour of going to Harden, but if we’re forced to go to Gundagai. We’ll make a big effort to try and make it work … not try, we’ve got to make it work,” Cr Slattery said.

He said it was up to the Gundagai Council to start discussions about a proposed merger of the two shires.

Cr Slattery said his council would not be initiating discussions with the Gundagai.

“We can’t go knocking on their door. Gundagai’s got to invite us because they’ve got their head in the sand and want to stand alone.”

Community desire clear, says MP

Nationals member for Cootamundra, Katrina Hodgkinson, attended both the Cootamundra and Gundagai inquiries yesterday.

She said it was very clear what the community wanted.

“Overwhelmingly at the Gundagai meeting the feeling was that they wanted to stand alone,” she said.

“The proposal to merge with Harden is one that was worked through very carefully and that is certainly the reflection of the majority of the people at Cootamundra, that they wish for that merger to proceed.

“I reinforced that I do support voluntary amalgamations proposals that were made earlier on in the piece, that is for Boorowa and Young to work together, and for Cootamundra and Harden to work together.

“They’re the positions determined by councils in very close consultation with the local communities and IPART [Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal] supported that position.”

Ms Hodgkinson has dismissed votes of no confidence in her, made at community meetings in Harden and Gundagai in the last week, saying she was not there to defend herself.

She is hopeful the inquiries will lead to an outcome that will please locals.

“The delegate to both meetings has been very sincere and very thoughtful in his deliberations,” she said.

“He made comprehensive notes as people were putting their verbal submissions forward.

“He was aided by a very capable team from the Department of Premier and Cabinet and I do hope the recommendations he puts forward to the Boundaries Commission are positive in the ways the communities are hoping.”

Police charge man with robbery – Kurri Kurri

Police have arrested and charged a man following a public appeal for information after a robbery in Kurri Kurri this week.

Shortly before 1am on Thursday 4 February 2016, a man entered a service station on Northcote Street and approached the female attendant.

Officers attached to Central Hunter Local Area Command have been told the man grabbed the attendant around the neck and demanded cash.

The man left the location a short time later with cash and cigarettes. The woman was not hurt during the incident.

The attendant contacted Triple Zero (000) and police from Central Hunter Local Area Command launched an investigation.

Investigators subsequently released CCTV images of a man they believed could assist their inquiries.

Following a number of calls to Crime Stoppers and local police, officers were directed to Hamilton Railway Station about 1am today.

There officers located and arrested a 32-year-old man who was taken to Newcastle Police Station.

He was later charged with robbery and has been refused bail to appear at Newcastle Bail Court today.

Central Hunter Police have thanked the public and media for their assistance with this matter.

Police appeal for information following robbery – Kurri Kurri

Police are appealing for information following a robbery in Kurri Kurri today.

Shortly before 1am (Thursday 4 February 2016), a man entered a service station on Northcote Street and approached the female attendant.

Officers attached to Central Hunter Local Area Command have been told the man grabbed the attendant around the neck and demanded cash.

The man left the location a short time later with cash and cigarettes.

The attendant contacted Triple Zero (000) and police launched an investigation.

She was not injured during the incident.

Police are continuing their inquiries and would now like to speak to a man who may be able to assist with their investigation.

The man is described as being of Caucasian appearance, about 30-40 years of age, approximately 180cm tall, with brown hair and of a large build.

Anyone who knows the identity of the man, or has any information that could assist police, is urged to come forward.

Man charged with drug supply – Wagga Wagga

A man has been charged with drug supply after a vehicle stop in Wagga Wagga.

About 9am today (Thursday 4 February 2016), police stopped a Holden Commodore which was travelling on Ashmont Avenue, Wagga Wagga.

The driver, a 35-year-old man, was subjected to a random drug test which returned a positive reading.

Officer subsequently searched the vehicle, allegedly locating an amount of methamphetamine, as well as drug paraphernalia.

He was arrested and taken to Wagga Wagga Police Station where he was charged with supply prohibited drug.

He was refused bail to appear at Wagga Wagga Local Court tomorrow (Friday 5 February 2016).

Victorian man charged following 85km pursuit – southern NSW

A man will face court today after leading police on an 85 kilometre pursuit in the state’s south.

Shortly before 7pm yesterday (Wednesday 3 February 2016), police from the Traffic and Highway Patrol detected a white Ford Falcon travelling at excessive speed in the north-bound lanes of the Hume Highway.

Officers attempted to stop the car, which did not have any number-plates, but the driver did not comply.

Police pursued the vehicle for approximately 85km, during which the Falcon allegedly reached speeds of 165km/h in the 110km/h zone.

On the Little Billabong Creek Bridge (95km north of Albury), the Falcon slowed down before the driver jumped from the still-moving vehicle and ran into a nearby paddock. He was arrested by police a short time later.

The man, a 27-year-old from Point Cook in Victoria, was taken to Wagga Police Station and charged with:

– Dangerous Driving Police Pursuit (Skye’s Law);

– Dangerous driving whilst suspended; and,

– Not display number plates.

Bail refused, he is due to appear before Wagga Local Court today (Thursday 4 February 2016).

Fatal crash – Jindera, near Albury

A report will be prepared for the Coroner after the death of a man in a crash near Albury.
About 7.40pm yesterday (Wednesday 3 February 2016), police were called to Urana Road, Jindera, after reports a utility had left the road and hit a tree.

Police and ambulance paramedics attended and located the 24-year-old male driver with critical injuries.

He was taken to Albury Base Hospital where he died just after midnight.

Police from Albury Local Area Command are investigating.

The crash is believed to be linked to a house fire on Regina Avenue, Lavington, which police were called to about 7.30pm.

ANNOUNCING A LITTLE LUNCH MUSIC SYDNEY 2016!

MARCH – OCTOBER 2016

City Recital Hall is excited to reveal its 2016 lunchtime program. Artistic Director, Kathryn Selby AM has curated a diverse program of artists highlighting wonderful, contemporary, Australian artists.

These concerts are a great opportunity to hear some of the finest musicians in Sydney for a perfect lunch time length of 50 minutes commencing at 12.30pm.

Tickets for each concert are just $15 and are on sale today! We are also offering a subscription to all five concerts for $70 which includes a free cup of tea or coffee at each concert. You are welcome to bring along your lunch to enjoy during these casual concerts.

2016 PROGRAM

The Journey – William Barton, 1 March, 12.30pm

All Mozart – Sydney Youth Orchestra and Alexander Briger, 20 April, 12.30pm

A Visit With Beethoven – Kathryn Selby AM & Julian Smiles, 30 June, 12.30pm

String Trio – Sydney Symphony Orchestra Principals, 5 September, 12.30pm

Guitar Trek – 17 October, 12.30pm
This year’s concerts will have allocated seating which can be selected when booking.
Patrons purchasing tickets on the day will be allocated the best available seat at time of booking.

Man charged, cannabis and firearms seized near Goulburn

A man has been charged and cannabis plants and firearms have been seized following a search warrant at Bannaby, near Goulburn, last month.

About 10.30am on Thursday 28 January 2016, officers attached to The Hume Target Action Group and Drug Unit executed a search warrant at a home on Guineacor Fire Trail.

It will be alleged, at the premises, police located cannabis plants, cannabis leaf, thousands of cannabis seeds, a single-barrel shotgun and two rifles and ammunition.

All items were seized for forensic examination.

Following inquiries, today (Wednesday 3 February 2016), a 39-year-old man was issued a Future Court Attendance Notice for:

– cultivate prohibited plant,

– two counts of possess prohibited drug,

– possess unregistered firearm,

– possess unauthorised firearm,

– not keep firearm safely, and,

– possess ammunition whilst unlicensed.

He will appear at Goulburn Local Court on 23 March 2016.

Man charged following investigation into 11 break and enters – Hume LAC

A man has been charged following investigations into 11 break and enters in the southern tablelands in December last year.

Between Friday 4 December and Saturday 12 December, police from the Hume Local Area Command received reports of 11 separate break and enters in the suburbs of Gunning, Gundaroo, Murrumbateman and Jeir.

The properties that were broken into were commercial premises, rural farm houses and shipping containers. Items stolen from the properties included jewellery, cash, fuel, and firearms.

No was home during the break and enters and no one was injured.

Police from The Hume Local Area Command conducted investigations into the incidents, including forensic examinations of the premises.

Today (Tuesday 2 February 2016), following investigations, a 23-year-old man was arrested in Goulburn.

He was taken to Goulburn Police Station where he was charged with a number of offences including aggravated break and enter (x11).

He was refused bail and is due to appear at Goulburn Local Court tomorrow (Wednesday 3 February 2016).

Investigations are continuing.

Man charged following alleged barricade incident – Lavington

A man has appeared in court today following a barricade incident at Albury this morning.

About 12.50am (Tuesday 2 February 2016), police were called to a home on Oshea Street, Lavington, following reports the male resident, who was armed with a knife, was making threats.

As police from Albury Local Area Command approached the home, the man and a female resident walked outside, before the man allegedly made threats toward officers and returned inside.

The woman was not injured.

A perimeter was established and local police were assisted by police negotiators.

About 1.30am, the man was arrested after exiting the home.

No one was injured.

Following a search of the home, officers located and seized a knife, a machete and a cigarette lighter shaped like a firearm.

The 36-year-old man was taken to Albury Police Station and charged with armed with intent and intimidation of police.

He was refused bail and appeared at Albury Local Court today, where conditional bail was granted. The man is next due to appear in the same court on Tuesday 9 February 2016.