Council Update

Council Update

This is a copy of the weekly Conversation with the GM and Council News as published in the Blayney Chronicle.

A Conversation with the GM

Pool Safety

With the weather warming up, Council is urging residents to Be Pool Safe this summer. At least 57 children have been rushed to either Sydney's Childrens hospitals (Westmead or Randwick) after near fatal drownings in 2022.

The Royal Life Saving report for 2022 show;

• Drowning deaths increased by 15% compared to the previous year, but 24% compared to the 10-year average
• 82% of drowning deaths were males
• Rivers and creeks were the leading location for drowning (34%), followed by beaches (21%) and ocean/harbour locations (13%)

Source: www.drowningprevention.org.au

Drowning is one of the leading causes of unintentional death for Australian children with majority of drownings occurring in backyard swimming pools and also one of the most preventable.

Council reminds residents it is a requirement for all pools, including portable and inflatable pools, to be separated from the house and yard by a compliant pool barrier.

You must have a four-sided fence around any pool or spa that can be filled with more than 30 centimetres of water. This includes inflatable and portable swimming pools. Portable or inflatable pools that have a capacity greater than 2,000 litres require Council approval.

Sadly, 20 seconds and a few centimetres of water is all it takes for a child to drown. In the end, nothing can replace the constant supervision of children by a responsible adult.
Here are some other important rules for pool owners:

• Once finished using a portable or inflatable pool, empty and store them
• Never prop open pool gates or remove latching devices
• Pool fencing must be a minimum of 1.2m high (1.8m if the boundary fence is part of the pool fence)
• Ensure the fence is not climbable - horizontal rails should be greater than 90cm apart and objects from around the barrier that provide a foothold must be removed
• Ensure an up-to-date resuscitation (CRP) chart is visibly located within the pool enclosure and learn how to perform CPR
• All swimming pools must be registered - Council may issue fines for unregistered pools.

Learning to Swim

We are lucky enough to have fantastic modern aquatic facilities at CentrePoint Sport and Leisure Centre that provide year-round learn to swim programs.

YMCA oversee swimming lessons with nationally accredited swimming instructors that teach both kids and adults how to swim safely in a number of environments. YMCA run swimming lessons for all ages, throughout the week and on weekends.

The NSW Government also provides financial support including:

• 'First Lap program' which provides a $100 voucher for parents, guardians and carers of children aged 3 to 6 years who are not enrolled in school, towards the cost of swimming lessons.
• 'Active Kids program' which provides a $100 voucher for parents, guardians and carers of school-enrolled children to use towards sport and active recreation costs each year.

For further information contact YMCA on 6368 2544 or visit https://www.ymcansw.org.au/centres/blayney/programs/aquatics/

Council Update

Documents on Public Exhibition

Following the December Ordinary Meeting, Council is seeking comment on the following documents now on public exhibition:

• Corporate Credit Card Policy
• Attraction and Retention of Medical Professionals Policy
• Draft Blayney Cabonne Orange Disability Inclusion Action Plan for Blayney Shire Council

These documents are available for viewing and downloading on Council's Documents On Public Exhibition page.

Written submissions must be received prior to 5pm Thursday 2 February 2023.

Proposed Bridge Name

Following the December Ordinary Meeting, Council is seeking comment on the following proposed bridge name.

• Pte W.G. Smith Bridge over Cowriga Creek on Carcoar Road

Council is inviting written submissions to be received by Council prior to 5pm on Thursday 2 February 2023.

Community Financial Assistance Program Round 2 - 2022/23

Applications for the second round under the 2022/23 Community Financial Assistance Program are open.

Local community organisations / individuals are invited to submit an application by 27 February 2023. Applications lodged before 20 February 2023 will be reviewed and applicants will be conducted in the event of any errors or omissions in applications.

There are four categories of financial assistance:

1. Recurrent financial assistance
2. Non-recurrent financial assistance (excluding private industry community funding)
3. Sporting related financial assistance
4. Special project financial assistance

Applicants are required to obtain a copy of the guidelines and complete the application form.

Council will not consider requests for financial support (cash or in-kind) outside of this program.

Guidelines and application forms are available from Council's Community Financial Assistance Program page or from Council's office.

Companion Animals Microchipping and De-sexing Program

Blayney Shire Council are again assisting Blayney Shire residents with the cost of microchipping and/or de-sexing companion animals.

The 2022 program will see Council provide free microchipping and $50 towards the cost of de-sexing of companion animals (two companion animals per person max. Applicants must provide proof of residency within the Blayney Shire).

The program runs from now until all program funds are expended and can only be undertaken at the Blayney Vets.

To book your pet in please contact Blayney Vets on 6368 2264.

Last modified: 12 Jan 2023

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