Lithgow City Council - Press Releases

Lithgow City Council has signed up for Earth Hour 2008 and is encouraging all residents, businesses and schools to do the same.

At 8:00pm on Saturday 29 March, Council will ensure that all non-essential lights in Council buildings will be switched off for one hour, in support of Earth Hour.

Earth Hour is a global climate change initiative organised by the global conservation organisation WWF (World Wildlife Fund for Nature).

So far, over 190, 000 individuals and 12 000 business have signed up to participate in Earth Hour 2008 and it is expected that over 20 cities worldwide will join Sydney in turning out the lights.

Mayor Neville Castle said. "Earth Hour uses the simple action of turning lights out for one hour to deliver a powerful message about the biggest issue facing our planet and the need for action.”

“Council is committed to reducing its corporate energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions”, Mayor Neville Castle said.

Last year in Sydney an energy reduction of 10.2% was measured during Earth Hour. But the main aim of the campaign is to continue to be energy efficient beyond Earth Hour, making small actions everyday to achieve the goal of reducing global greenhouse gas emissions in 2008.

If all Australian households simply turned off unused lights and appliances on standby at the power point, Australia's greenhouse gas emissions would be reduced by at least 5 million tonnes per annum - the equivalent to taking 1.5 million cars off the road for a year.

Lithgow City Council encourages all residents to join with Council in undertaking this small but significant action and switch off their lights for Earth Hour on 29 March 2008 from 8:00pm - 9:00pm .

Earth Hour is a great way to take action in reducing the impacts of climate change but it is important to continue to be energy efficient beyond Earth Hour, by undertaking small actions everyday to reduce global greenhouse gas emissions.

Simple things like turning off appliances while not in use, turning out lights when you're not in a room and switching your light globes to energy efficient bulbs, will all help.

To find out more or to sign-up to Earth Hour 2008, visit www.earthhour.org.

Contact: David Durie
Environmental Health Officer
Tel: 02 6354 9999
Fax: 02 6351 4259

Lithgow Council has confirmed today that Wallerawang tip, which has been closed since the explosion at the Howard and Sons facility, must remain closed until further notice. “Council has held discussions with WorkCover NSW and the tip must remain closed until Workcover has finished its investigations and is satisfied that no danger to the public is posed” said Council’s General Manager, Paul Anderson.

Mr Anderson explained “Council understands that this has the potential to cause inconvenience but at the moment there is simply no choice. By law, the Workcover investigation and safety requirements must take precedence and this is completely understandable. Residents may use Portland , Angus Place or Lithgow landfills in the interim. Whilst all of Council’s rural landfills have a finite life and are proposed to be closed upon the construction of a new central facility at Blackman’s Flat, it is hoped that Wallerawang can be re-opened until this happens.”

The following information has been received from the Deptartment of Primary Industries.

More information can be obtained from the Equine influenza hot line on 1800 675 888 or the Deptartment of Primary Industries website www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/equine-influenza

At the ExtraOrdinary Meeting of Lithgow Council held on Monday 17 th September 2007 , the Council elected Councillor Neville Castle as their Mayor for the period of September 2007 to September 2008.

Councillor Castle was unopposed in his quest for a 9th term as Mayor.

"It’s a thrill to be elected again" the Mayor said. "I look forward to helping Lithgow progress even further during the next term".

Councillor Barbara Moran was elected as the Deputy Mayor. Councillor Moran was also unopposed for the second year running.

"I'm excited to be Deputy Mayor of this thriving city", Councillor Moran said.

For further enquiries, contact Lithgow City Council on 0263 549999.

Lithgow City Council and Sydney West Area Health Service are pleased to announce 2 new scholarships for local students, a total of $4000 each for 4 years. These are to be offered under the banner of the Lithgow Learning City. One scholarship will be specifically for undergraduate/postgraduate study in either Physiotherapy or Radiography. The second scholarship is for undergraduate/postgraduate study in any allied health profession.

Applications will remain open until Monday October 1, 2007.

Application forms are available on Council’s website, from local high schools, TAFE, and by contacting Lithgow City Council.

MORE INFORMATION: Carly Hanrahan TEL: (02) 6354 9999.

Download Scholarship Criteria Document

Download Scholarship Application Form

Lithgow City Council participated in the Central West Rural Lands Reference Panel meeting held in Orange on 20 April 2007 and will be able to incorporate the issues raised when considering its approach to the NSW government’s expectations for land use management in the Lithgow area as part of the finalisation of the Draft Strategic Plan.

A Strategic Plan provides the guidelines for the future development of the region – where and what sort of land use will occur – over the next 10-20 years. After extensive consultation with the community, Council resolved to place its Draft Strategic Plan on exhibition from 19 April until 16 May 2007.

All Councils have been instructed by the NSW Department of Planning to review and update their Local Environmental Plans (LEP) and must complete a Strategic Plan before the LEP can be created. The Department has also prepared a template for LEPs which has been the subject of much comment since its inception.

The Department established the Central West Rural Lands Reference Panel to listen to the issues Councils regarding land use in the Central West of NSW.

The focus of the Panel session last Friday was agricultural land and how it should be managed.

“Issues such as minimum lot sizes for future rural subdivisions, the means to estimate farm income and determine what constitutes a viable farm and the preservation of agricultural lands are key items for any LEP and were the focus of much of the debate at last Friday’s meeting” said Manager Community and Corporate, Kathy Woolley.

The Panel was briefed by Departmental officers from the NSW Department of Planning and Primary Industries as well as councils with most speaking strongly in favour of the preservation of local planning controls being left with each Council to assess their individual needs.

“The need to consider dual incomes from those running farms was highlighted as a major issue at the meeting and the Councils present urged the Panel to take into consideration the impact of off farm income when commenting on a preferred methodology for assessing the viability of a farm” Ms Woolley added.

“This is critical when trying to determine what minimum lots size there should be for future rural subdivisions.

“If financial performance of a farm does not take into consideration all potential income streams then it is may not be a reasonable assessment of the viability of the farm.

“The discussion included comments that it was virtually impossible for most families to survive on one income and yet no other industry is assessed in this way as is being suggested for the farming community. The issues raised by Central West Councils centred around the reasonableness of telling farmers they were not sustainable.

“Ensuring land use is properly managed and that areas of land are identified for the best and highest use has to be the principle for the Lithgow region’s LEP. The Panel’s findings, as well as submissions we receive on the Draft Strategic Plan, will help us in getting our area’s needs and growth options defined so our land use management delivers the best outcomes for our community” Ms Woolley concluded.

The Panel is holding meetings where the public can identify specific issues in Bathurst on 24 April and in Mudgee on 1 May 2007.

MORE INFORMATION: Kathy Woolley, Group Manager Community and Corporate – 6354 9999