I have been along to a number of meetings around the region, in particular as part of the Canberra Region Joint Organisation, and the clean-up and recovery process facing some of our neighbouring councils in the Canberra region is enormous.
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We were fortunate in Goulburn Mulwaree to not be as significantly affected, however the community of Tallong was affected along with some other areas of the region, particularly bordering along Wingecarribee Shire Council.
The flow-on effects, particularly when combined with drought, have hit many businesses and this is likely to continue for some time.
At Tuesday nights' council meeting we considered two reports and set some wheels in motion in regards to our response moving forward.
We have been offered $100,000 from NSW Government for Bushfire Community Resilience and Economic Recovery. We will be applying for the following projects within this money:
- $40,000 for a large event in Tallong focusing on thanking first responders, and celebrating the 100 year anniversary of the Tallong Hall.
- $40,000 for upgrade of the sculpture garden on the council reserve behind the Tallong Hall
- $20,000 for Business Resilience Workshops in Goulburn Mulwaree - these will be open to all businesses and focus on being prepared for the unexpected, including drought, bushfire and economic downturns.
Furthermore, as a council we will also write off development application fees for replacement of any fire damaged buildings, and we have relaxed weight and time restrictions on transport routes to allow for disposal of bulk waste into privately operated waste management facilities in our area.
Council also support relaxing weight restrictions on transport routes, and hours of operation for forestry related intermodal activities.
Rail Siding Contamination - Tarago
On Tuesday we also considered a report on contamination at the rail siding in Tarago, after this was brought to our attention last Thursday, February 27, due to potential public health concern over lead contamination.
Transport NSW have known about this contamination since July 2019 and have failed to bring it to anyone's attention.
There will be a public meeting at the Tarago Hall next Monday, March 9 at 6.30pm where State Government officials will endeavour to explain the levels of contamination, the extent of that contamination and why they have failed to keep the community informed.
It seems the issue has arisen because land has been disturbed to construct the new rail siding in Tarago. We have been informed that one site has been tested at 10-15 times above the safe health threshold limits for lead contamination.
Council have demanded much clearer, open information from government agencies involved in this process to ensure the safety of our community in Tarago.
Our residents and businesses deserve to have all the information conveyed to them, so that you aren't concerned about yours and your family's wellbeing.
We have called for public briefings in Tarago on the implication of this potential significant health issue, and also that free blood testing be made available to all residents of Tarago.
Furthermore, we want more information on proposed future remediation works that will be required to remove or remediate all lead contamination of land in the area.
Please keep an eye on our website, and the local news, as we will be issuing a more detailed media release and providing further information as it comes to hand.
