ALONG with councillors Francis and McCarthy and council staff I attended the Burraga Progress Association meeting at the Burraga Sports and Recreation Club on May 13.
The primary purpose was to discuss with the community ways of making land more available within the village area while the proposed new LEP is under development and to make residents aware of changes being considered by the department. The department’s consultant has proposed increasing the minimum area for a dwelling entitlement from 2,000 square metres to 4,000 square metres.
Many existing blocks in the Burraga Village area are 1,000 square metres and the current Local Environmental Plan requires a minimum 2,000 square metres to enable a satisfactory effluent disposal system to be installed. Some suggestions as to how this may be overcome, including the possible consolidation of two titles to acquire the 2,000 square metre minimum, were discussed, however, any potential action needs to be implemented by the landowners.
It is critical that increased development occurs at Burraga to encourage people to relocate and hopefully bring their families with them to underwrite the ongoing provision of services, including the continued operation of the school.
Council has been invited to attend the Black Springs Progress Association meeting on July 12. No doubt one of the items on the agenda will be a desire to discuss the payphone situation at Black Springs, the desire to have the community store and garage reopened or an alternative similar facility provided.
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Tourism numbers continue to increase with the image of Oberon being enhanced by our Visitor Information Centre winning the state award and making the finals of the national awards. This has reinforced the considerable effort that has been made over many years by council and others, including OPTA and the Business Association, to establish an individual identity for Oberon in the region.
The benefit of this combined activity is now showing and all the businesses in the main street as well as the primary tourism operators who access the opportunities provided by increased tourism can provide testimony to the benefits they have received.
However we still lack many of the other infrastructure requirements – tourism operators, relevant accommodation providers to service the specific needs of various groups and other visitors as well as identified activities to supplement the major attraction such as Kanangra Walls and Jenolan Caves.
Some time ago I saw a list of 101 things to do in Blackheath and thought there must be double that number to do in Oberon.
I will discuss this matter with fellow councillors, OPTA, the Business Association and any other person who wishes to have input to a list of activities and experiences that can be highlighted.
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Individuals, organisations and business networks in our community have the chance to be recognised with the NSW/ACT Regional Achievement and Community Awards.
The awards have been running for many years in NSW and the ACT and provide and opportunity for hardworking individuals and organisations that make invaluable contributions to be recognised.
To do this it is essential that they or others nominate themselves or their organisation for an award. The nominations are now open in the following categories:
n The Land and Property Management Authority Community of the Year Award.
n The Land and Property Management Authority Crown Reserve Trust Award.
n The NSW Government Industry and Investment Business Enterprise Award.
n The NSW Government Industry and Investment Events and Tourism Award.
n The Salvation Army Employment Plus Employment and Training Award.
n The Peabody Environmental and Landcare Award.
When I reviewed the criteria it becomes clear there are many organisations who have worked on various projects – plus others such as the Oberon Tarana Heritage Railway Group and our industry which has reduced its water intake by about 40 per cent – which have a great chance of winning. There are many others who should nominate and every person, including council staff, should think about nominating. Details are available from the council by contacting Sharon Swannell.
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