A Minute with Mayor McKibbin - 20 November 2024

Published on 20 November 2024

Oberon Council hosted the Teddy Bear’s Picnic on Sunday 17 November between 10am-2pm at the Oberon Library and Community Centre. There was plenty of fun for children with old school games, face painting, story time, craft and meeting all the special teddies. The event was a great hit with the children, parents, grandparents and carers who attended. Thanks to the staff from the Oberon Visitor Information Centre who coordinated the day.

The General Manager and I attended the Central NSW Joint Organisation Board Meeting in Sydney on Wednesday 13 November and Thursday 14 November. The representatives from across the Joint Organisation met with Ministers on Thursday 14 November to discuss areas of regional importance. Specifically issues of major importance to Oberon were:

Pest Control - The Natural Resource Commission (NRC) has published an interim report on Pest and Weeds Biosecurity in NSW recommending governments consideration of bringing the two biosecurity functions, pest animals and Weeds, much closer together. Concurrently Dr. Marion Healy, the newly appointed Biosecurity Commissioner in NSW has commenced a review of the Governance function for Invasive species in NSW focused on Pests and Weeds. The Minister for Agriculture, Tara Moriarty, said it was not planned at this stage to have the Pest function transferred to Local Councils/County Councils. The report is interim, and she expects many substantive submissions on it. Dr Healy is meeting with Central Tablelands Weeds Authority on Wednesday 20 November to seek input for her review into weed control processes and methodologies in NSW.

I thanked the NSW Government for the extra $13 million that had been allocated by the State Government for wild pig control but noted the problem was in plague proportions throughout the State. The Minister acknowledged the issue. Mayor of Lachlan, John Medcalfe suggested a snout bounty be introduced to encourage shooters to kill pigs and in particular to shoot pigs of all sizes not just large ones.

Contribution by State Government to Renewable Energy Zones (REZs) - The NSW Government has indicated it will contribute $128 million to REZs for upgrading roads and compensating communities for the dislocation caused by Renewable Energy projects.

I asked Stephen Lawrence, the Labour MLC responsible for the Central West, why Councils where the State Government had directed Forestry Corporation to investigate constructing windfarms should not be treated similarly with State Government funding for roads and community dislocation?

Connectivity to Sydney - The perpetual issue of connectivity for passenger and freight to Sydney via rail and road was raised including the issues with the rail freight curfew during the day. Landslides blocking the Great Western Highway (GWH) and western rail line were also discussed. It was suggested a long-term vision for a solution was required. The Premier indicated its current projects in Sydney for rail were well over budget and close to double the original price, so this was hampering any future plans for the Blue Mountains. There has also been a significant redistribution of GST revenue which has substantially reduced NSW share and therefore the state was hampered without Federal Govt funding for any solution. Minister Atchison stated a white paper is coming out next year for consultation with all stakeholders including Blue Mountains residents on future strategies for the GWH.

Jenolan Caves - The issue of the closure of Jenolan Caves was raised with Minister Atchison, the Minister for Regional Roads, and its effect on Oberon Tourist businesses. The Edith Road connection to the Caves is currently scheduled for reopening to tourist traffic in March 2026. Even then the available carparks at Jenolan Caves will not be nearly sufficient for the potential though put of visitors to the Caves upon reopening. The Minister was asked to consider additional strategies for access to the Caves to ensure that both Jenolan Caves and Oberon could benefit from increased daily numbers of tourists to this facility. She indicated some strategies had been suggested and were being investigated.

I remind everyone that the Oberon Chamber Music Festival will be held from Thursday 21 to Sunday 24 November. Thie festival will include several free community and school concerts on the festival's opening day. On Friday, November 22, the Malachi will host a special educational concert, Music Colours Your World, for 270 students and teachers from local schools: St. Joseph’s Primary, Oberon Public School, and Oberon High School. The event will also include an invitation to Columbia Aged Care Residents, an outing that promises to lift their spirits. Later that day, from 5:30 pm to 6:30 pm a Community Gala Concert will be held at the Malachi. The festival continues through Saturday and Sunday, November 23–24, with four ticketed concerts. Under the artistic direction of Oberon local Emma Jardine, the weekend concerts feature renowned Australian Chamber musicians.

The Oberon Redfin Roundup will be held on 30 November and 1 December and welcomes anglers of all ages and skill levels to Lake Oberon. Expect an array of prizes for the largest catch, biggest bag, age categories, and lucky door prizes. Demonstrations from participating sponsors, BBQ and refreshments available all weekend. Camping is free.

Other events coming up as part of the Outdoor Festival are:

21 – 24 November Oberon Chamber Music Festival
23 November Spring Lunch onboard vintage dining car OTHR
22-24 November Oberon Campdraft
24 November Tarana Market
30 November Skoberon Art Competition
30 November – 1 December Oberon Redfin Roundup

Andrew McKibbin

Mayor