8.1.1 2012 Local Government Elections

There are only 53 days until the Council election. The Electoral Commission has appointed Mr Darren Flowers as the returning Officer and he will be based in Broken Hill.

Candidate information packs will be distributed by the Electoral Commission in the near future and will be available in all towns. Nominations will be received at the Wilcannia Shire Office, the Menindee RTC and the Ivanhoe MSO.

Electoral rolls close on the 30th July. Nominations for those interested in standing for Council open on Monday 30th July and close on Wednesday 8th August at noon.

Non residents who enrolled on this roll at the last election will need to re-enrol as enrolments do not carry over from election to election.

8.1.4 Emergency Services, Funding Discussion paper.

Council will contribute $119,600 to the funding of the Rural Fire Services in the Council area in the 2012/13 financial year.

8.2 Operational Plan Update

The interest rate quoted on page 81 of the Plan is 9.8%. This rate has been revised and will actually be 10% for the 2012/13 year as per Division of Local Government circular.

8.6 Council Meeting Schedule

Since the adoption of the 2012 meeting schedule Council has made a number of changes due to the  impact of the floods and the need to deal with issues of importance. The March meeting in Tilpa was moved due to floods and several other meetings were changed for organisational purposes. It is proposed that the new meeting schedule be:

• 21st August—Ivanhoe
• 25th September—Wilcannia
• 16th October—Tilpa
• 20th November—White Cliffs
• 18th December—Wilcannia..

Manager of Technical and Engineering Services Report. 9.2

Council currently has four grading crews operating with priorities being the completion of flood damage works, reconstruction works and RTA Ordered Works. Cobb Highway works that are in progress include Gravel Resheeting (RMS Work Order $200,127), Flood Restoration works ($217,142) and maintenance grading works.

Local Road Flood Damage Assessments are in progress.

Water Wilcannia town supply is being drawn from the Wilcannia Weir Pool. White Cliffs town supply : Tank 1 = 5.2m: Tank 2 = 5.6m, Tank 3 (Wakefield) = 8.75m.

Works in Progress:

Warrali Mission Footpath Upgrade—Formation is complete and lighting is in progress

Wilcannia Weir—Steering Committee meetings suspended. Funding required for further REF report. S355 Committee in progress.

Old Wilcannia Bridge —timber ordered.

Finance Manager Report

The Castlereagh Trust Mortgage backed security was valued at $1,084,380 at the end of March. Interest rate is 6.05%.