Calling All Seniors - Ever wanted to sit at a council meeting and make decisions? Think you can do it better than the current elected councillors? Well this is your opportunity to 'have a go' and have lots of fun along the way. As part of the Local Government Week activities, a Seniors Mock Council Meeting will be held in the council chambers on Friday August 8 commencing at 10 am. This is always hilarious as the seniors act out the part of the mayor, councillors and senior staff and debate the topic under discussion with the sole purpose of making a point and having a laugh. A delicious morning tea will follow. Whether you are debating the topic or enjoying the discussion from the gallery, a great time is assured. So if you haven't been before, then give yourself a treat and come along for a fun morning.

Attention Industry and Businesses - Fixing Country Roads Grant - The NSW Government last week announced a new grant called "fixing country roads". It involves a partnership between council, business/industry and the State Government. There is $37.5m to be allocated in the 2014/15 State budget for road upgrade projects that industry/business as well as council are prepared to co-contribute to financially. Any businesses or industry that would like to have their road upgraded, and would be prepared to contribute an amount of their own funds to that project should contact council immediately to ensure council can submit an application to the State Government on their behalf. Please contact council's asset manager on 6889 9922, or visit the website: http://freight.transport.nsw.gov.au/documents/fixing-country-roads-guidelines-2014.pdf for more information. Interested industries/businesses must contact council before July 28 2014.

Animal Registration Fees - The NSW Governments Companion Animal Registration Fees are as follows:

Entire Dog/Cat: $188, Desexed Dog/Cat: $51, Pensioner Desexed Dog/Cat: $20,

Working Dog: Nil and Breeder: $51.

If you have any enquiries please call Council's Planning and Environmental Services Department on 6889 9950.

Australian of the Year Awards 2015 - The Australia Day Council of NSW invites nominations for the Australian of the Year Awards for 2015. This is an opportunity to nominate an ordinary Australian who is achieving extraordinary things in their community and deserves to be recognised. The four categories include Australian of the Year; Young Australian of the Year (16-25 years); Senior Australian of the Year (60 years & over); Local Hero. Nominations can be made by picking up a form from Narromine Shire Council's Chambers front desk, online at www.australianoftheyear.gov.au or by phoning 1300 655 193 for a nomination form. Nominations close on Friday August 1, 2014.

Vandalism - Damage to Payten Oval fence and severe damage to the playing surface of Noel Powell junior league oval.

Funding Available to Stamp Out Litterbugs - Are you fed up with litter in your neighbourhood? Do you have a great idea to clean up your neighbourhood? Get your project off the ground with funding from the Community Litter Grants. A joint initiative of Keep NSW Beautiful and the NSW EPA, the Community Litter Grants are open for 2014. The program distributes funds to community groups who are working to keep their local area clean. Last year almost $150,000 was distributed to 32 groups who used the money to add bins, set up education programs, clean up graffiti, create community gardens and transform their litter hotspots into beautiful public places for the whole community to use. Visit www.knswb.org.au to apply for your grant now.

Heavy Vehicle Route Through Narromine - Works commenced to the upgrade of the heavy vehicle route through Narromine are progressing well and up to the sealing stage.

The following areas within Narromine are still closed to all traffic and fenced off possibly until the end of July.

Area Closed: Location:

Manildra Street Between Mitchell Highway and Terangion Street

Derribong Street Between Algalah and Manildra Streets

Truck parking area opposite Narromine Saleyards

Algalah Street between Derribong and Terangion Streets

The rail pedestrian crossing on the Manildra Street level crossing will be closed during this time. It should be noted that during this period, the approved route through Narromine for heavy vehicles is as follows:

Going North:

From: Turning: Into:

Tomingley Left Nellie Vale Road

Nellie Vale Road Right Dandaloo Street

Dandaloo Street Right Burroway Street

Burroway Street Left Manildra Street

Continuing as usual.

Going South:

From: Turning: Into:

Dandaloo Road Right Dandaloo Street

Manildra Street Right Burroway Street

Burroway Street Left Dandaloo Street

Dandaloo Street Left Nellie Vale Road

Nellie Vale Road Right Tomingley Road

Continuing as usual. Council thanks all residents for their patience.

Any enquiries should be directed to Council's Manager Engineering Operations, Mr Doug Moorby on 6889 9999.

Loading Ramp and Truck Parking Closed - Council advises that the loading ramp and the truck parking area adjacent to the Narromine Saleyards is closed and remains part of a worksite until the completion of the road works in the Algalah/Derribong/Manildra Street area. Unauthorised persons are not permitted to enter the worksite at any time and could be subject to prosecution for trespassing upon investigation.

Ordinary Council Meeting - The next Ordinary Meeting of Narromine Shire Council will be held Wednesday 13 August 2014, commencing at 4.00 pm in Council's Chambers.

Narromine Shire Council

Greg Lamont

General Manager