Community Catch-Up... - Griffith City Council

Griffith City Council’s
Community Catch-Up...
Sharing the latest news
with our residents
Easter a time for our community to celebrate and help those less fortunate
Dear residents,
Easter is just over a week away and this
year we welcome La Festa’s move to
Memorial Park. La Festa is one of the
many events planned as part of the Griffith
Easter Party 2015 program. Read more
details about the Easter Party in this issue
of Council’s Community Catch-Up, our
third since we launched the initiative on
Monday February 23. Full details can be
found at www.griffitheasterparty.com
and www.lafesta.org.au.
My family and I plan to attend many of the
festivities that will showcase the beautiful
and vibrant city that is Griffith and we look
forward to seeing many of you enjoying the
special Easter weekend.
In this issue, you’ll also learn about the
exciting Sustainability Advantage (SA)
program hosted by the NSW Government’s
Office of Environment & Heritage. Council
recently joined the SA program as we
look to achieve business and operational
sustainability and better environmental
practices in the years to come. We hope
you enjoy this story as well as the update
on our Scores on Doors program, the
Community Grant Program March 27
deadline for applications, the rollout of
Council’s Rural Addressing program,
attending Council Meetings and more.
I wish you all a Happy Easter and please
remember – it’s at times like Easter and
Christmas that those less fortunate really
struggle. I encourage residents to consider
donating time, service, and gifts of any size
or value to the many amazing community
organisations which help others all year
around – these agencies
will truly appreciate your
support and help.
Also, don’t forget we look
forward to receiving your
feedback and comments.
Please email Councill at
communications@griffith.nsw.gov.au or
call (02) 6962 8100.
Sincerely,
John Dal Broi, Mayor of Griffith
Council joins Sustainability Advantage for a brighter future
Griffith City Council has embarked on an exciting new
program to help the organisation achieve increased
business sustainability through better environmental
practices in the years to come - not only for Council but
also for the broader community.
The Sustainability Advantage (SA) program assists
organisations from the not-for-profit, government and medium- to-large business sectors, and attracts participants
from many industries including manufacturing, commercial clubs, health, aged care, transport and education to
achieve increased competitiveness and improved bottom
lines through better environmental practices.
To be recognised as a Sustainability Advantage partner,
Council must demonstrate its progress towards sustainable practice through active participation, leadership,
commitment and planning and, ultimately, achievements.
Council has now signed as a proud Member of the
Sustainability Advantage Program. Spearheading the
program is Council’s Environment, Health & Sustainability Coordinator Fiona de Wit. Fiona joined Council in
July 2014 and said one of her priorities was to explore
initiatives to help Council adopt enhanced sustainable
business operations for a more viable and sustainable
future, and to progress from Member recognition through
Bronze, Silver, Gold and ultimately Platinum status within
the program.
“We are very pleased to be working in partnership with
the Office of Environment and Heritage as their comprehensive program has all the essential elements to help
council along the path to improved sustainable practices
and operations,” Fiona said.
“Council has taken the first step of completing a Sustainability Management Diagnostic session for Senior
Managers to help identify potential business benefits to
be gained from more sustainable work practices.
This initial session was followed by a second Business
Planning and Sustainability session where Council
mapped its sustainability goals and identified plans, key
performance indicators, resources and reporting necessary to progress its organisational sustainability.”
Council is looking to implement sustainability in practical
areas such as its supply chain, procurement process,
staff engagement, carbon management, and resource
efficiency such as energy, water, waste and raw materials. Council’s facility energy consumption is an area
which has been identified for priority action. Initially
Council is developing an Energy Business Case process
to address current energy consumption across a number
of Councils facilities including the Griffith Water Treatment
Plant. It is anticipated that the water treatment plant will
undergo a full energy audit, an integral part of the energy
management process. By implementing energy audit
recommendations, notable cost savings in most cases
can be achieved.
“Council is working towards becoming known as an
environmentally responsible Council and achieving
positive recognition by the community through pro-active
engagement and partnerships as well as being recognised as a sustainably responsible and supporting partner
in the growth of the city,” Fiona explained.
Community Grant Applications
Close at 4pm on March 27
Local community groups, not-for-profit and
charitable organisations, and individuals
have one week left to submit applications
for Council’s second round of annual Community Grants. The closing time and date
for applications is 4pm this Friday, March
27, 2015.
Council’s Community Development Coordinator Peta Dummett said Council is seeking
L-R: Jo Polkinghorne, local Office of Environment & Heritage Facilitator for the Sustainability Advantage program for
the Riverina and Murray regions, with Council’s Peter Clark, an Automation Technician, and Fiona de Wit, Environment,
Health & Sustainability Coordinator, at the Griffith Water Treatment Plant. The plant is likely to undergo a full energy
audit as part of the energy management process for the Sustainability Advantage program Council recently joined.
Griffith City Councillor Pat Cox, a member of the Environment & Sustainability Committee, applauded Council’s
decision to join the program and take a comprehensive,
meaningful, and strategic approach to sustainability.
“Council has done its due diligence in setting about to
make sustainability changes to its operations and business
in a steady and long-term way that will reap the rewards for
years to come,” Councillor Cox said.
“The robust Sustainability Advantage program offers all
the tools to help Council adopt sustainability principles and
actions to benefit our organisation and in turn, the local
community.”
Across NSW, more than 530 organisations are also
participating in the Sustainability Advantage Program, with
nearly half of all members from regional NSW and more
than 30% of members having been recognised as Bronze,
Silver or Gold Partners for achieving positive environmental
outcomes. The participants have saved a combined $85
million a year through the program, which helps to identify
and implement projects that enable them to save money
and improve productivity, integrate environmental strategies with business planning, use resources more efficiently,
engage and train staff, enhance relationships with customers, suppliers and communities, and manage
applications for projects which demonstrate
new initiatives and deliver achievable and
successful outcomes for the community.
Applications must demonstrate how the
projects align with Council’s strategic plan,
Growing Griffith 2030.
Application Forms, including the
Program Guidelines, can be found at
www.griffith.nsw.gov.au/grants or by
contacting Community Development
Officer Kelly Dal Broi on 6962 8100 or
kelly.dalbroi@griffith.nsw.gov.au.
environmental risk and ensure compliance.
To achieve its goals in this program, Council is consulting with Jo Polkinghorne, the local SA facilitator, who has
helped guide several local businesses including De Bortoli
Wines, Casella Family Brands and Murrumbidgee Irrigation
in the delivery of their business sustainability goals.
Jo is delighted to see Griffith City Council take the
proactive approach to improving sustainability.
“I believe Council also has a terrific role model in De
Bortoli’s, a leader in sustainability which has implemented a
great number of innovative business sustainability
initiatives and practices from water and waste water
management to solar hot water installation,” Jo explained.
“As a consequence, De Bortoli Wines is now a Gold
Member of the Sustainability Advantage program,
recognised for their environmental achievements and
leadership after 10 years of actively demonstrating
sustainability innovation and commitment,” Jo added.
If you would like to learn more about the NSW
Sustainability Advantage program, visit the website
www.environment.nsw.gov.au/sustainabilityadvantage/
or call Fiona de Wit on (02) 6962 8100.
Want to know the latest Council news
by email? Join Council’s Community
Opinion Group (COG) and be the first
to know what’s happening! In turn, you
can provide input and opinions on the
big issues. Please visit
www.griffith.nsw.gov.au/cogsubscribe
to sign up.
Advertorial
Something for everyone at Griffith Easter Party 2015
There’s something for everyone when
the Griffith Easter Party 2015 gets
underway from Thursday April 2 this
year. Many of the events are highlighted below. For full details, please visit
www.griffitheasterparty.com.au and
www.lafesta.org.au or call the Griffith
Visitor Information Centre on 1800 681
141.
* Thursday April 2, 10am–5pm,
Saturday & Sunday April 4 and 5,
11am–2pm. Colours of the Country III 2014 Alice Springs Beanie Festival Tour
at the Griffith Regional Art Gallery, 167
Banna Ave. Ph: (02) 6962 8338. Cost:
entry by gold coin donation.
* Thursday April 2, 7pm: McWilliam’s
Wines “Legends of Las Vegas” La
Festa Opening Ball. Hosted by Griffith
Rotary Avanti at the Yoogali Club.
Tickets available from Darani, 156
Banna Ave, East Griffith Post Office on
Probert Avenue and SGB Partners at
26 Ulong St. Ph: 0408 296 071. Cost:
early bird (before March 13) $75 and
$80 after this date.
* Friday April 3: Flexible Solutions
Bacchus on the Lake Fun Run at
Lake Wyangan Picnic Area. 5km
sprint, 10km enduro and 8km walk.
Runners start at 9am, walkers from
7.15am. Cost: various. Early-bird
registrations are available before 21
March at griffithbacchus.org.au or
you can register on the day.
* Friday April 3: Pioneer Park Museum Action Day for all ages, 10am4pm. Demonstrations on re-barrelling
Furphy tanks, felt making, leather
works, traditional children’s games
plus pony and train rides and much
more. Ph: (02) 6962 4196. Cost: family
(2A+3C) $30, adult $10, pensioner $8,
and child $6.
* Friday April 3, Feast ‘n’ Chill at the
Exies from 7pm. Enjoy the relaxed
atmosphere of the Roundabout Lounge
with live music by Cheryl Tucker. Ph:
(02) 6962 1211. Free entertainment.
* Friday & Saturday April 3 + 4, Seafood Buffet in the Exies Family Bistro on Yambil Street from 6pm. Ph:
(02) 6962 1211. Cost: $60pp, children
(5-12yrs) $25, and children under 4
free.
* Friday April 3, all you can eat
breakfast buffet at Exies Bagtown,
2 Blumer Avenue from 7am-10am. Ph:
(02) 6962 7166. Cost: $19.90pp.
* Friday April 3, Afternoon to Sunset
Outdoor Concert with Metro at Exies
Sporties. Ph: (02) 6962 1037.
* Saturday April 4, Children’s Easter
Brunch on Banna and at the CWA
Park, 9am to 12pm. Brunch, games,
craft, singing, dancing, woodwork, face
painting, Easter egg hunt, tug-of-war
and parachute games. Ph: 0411 085
754. Cost: adults gold coin and children
free.
* Saturday April 4, Griffith CWA
Allsorts Market at the CWA Hall, 129
Banna Avenue, from 9am-1pm. Ph: (02)
0457 360 748. Cost: free.
* Saturday April 4, Easter Saturday
Sidewalk Sale on Banna Ave from
9am–2pm. Ph: 0407 072 946. Cost:
Free.
Saturday April 4, Steggles La Festa.
A fabulous program of live music
and entertainment with headline act
Joe Camilleri and The Black
Sorrows. Regional produce, local
wine and children’s activities make
this a great family day. Two stages
of live music with local and visiting
musicians, a Flag Parade showcasing the multicultural heritage of
Griffith and Italian cooking
demonstrations - #WeLoveLaFesta.
Memorial Park from 10am–6.30pm.
For all the details visit
www.lafesta.org.au.
* Saturday April 4, Mid Vintage
Winery Tours at McWilliam’s Wines.
11.30am & 1.30pm. Bookings essential.
Ph: (02) 6963 3404. Cost: $10pp.
* Sunday April 5, Griffith Rotary
Markets at the corner of Jondaryan Ave
& Canal St from 7am-12pm. Locally
grown fruit and vegetables, cakes, honey, olives, oil, chutney, relish, candles,
soap, crafts, plants, coffee and more.
Entry is gold coin donation.
* Sunday April 5, Last Crush at Calabria Family Wines. Egg hunt, wine
tasting, Italian pizzas, antipasto platters
and free winery tour at 11.30am. Bookings essential. 10am - 4pm; gates close
at 3pm. Ph: (02) 6969 0800. Cost: Wine
and food available for purchase.
* Sunday April 5, Easter Sunday on
the lawns of Berton Vineyard. Lunch
on delicious slow roasted meats with
gourmet salads, BBQ and wines to the
relaxing sounds of talented local acoustic trio ‘2 Stringers and a Singer.’ Art
display and sales in the cellar door by
Patrick Napoli. 10am-4pm (BYO picnic
rug). Ph: (02) 6968 1600. Cost: Wine
and food available for purchase.
* Sunday April 5, Celebrazione at
De Bortoli Wines. Enjoy the family
friendly park area with jumping castle
and kids’ activities. Relax and enjoy
a glass of wine and live music. BYO
picnic rug. Cellar door open from 9am.
Event & activities 11am. Event closes
4pm. Ph: 0411 085 754. Cost: Adults
gold coin and children free.
* Sunday April 5, chocolate & wine
matching classes. Discover the
taste sensation of chocolate and wine
matched expertly together in an interactive class with Senior Group Winemaker Russell Cody at McWilliam’s Wines
from 11am to 12.30pm. Bookings
essential. Ph: (02) 6963 3404. Cost:
$20pp.
* Sunday April 5, Easter Sunday in
the Vines at Yarran wines. Live music,
wonderful wine and terrific food in the
picture perfect surrounds. From 2pm
- 5pm. Ph: (02) 6968 1125. Cost: wine
and food available for purchase.
* Monday April 6, Festival of Chris
at Calabria Family Wines. Celebrate
all that is Chris! Live entertainment,
jumping castle, face painting, custom &
classic car and bike display, BBQ, market and an auction, from 10am-3pm.
Ph: 0412 419 447. Cost: family pass
$25 (2A+3C), adults $10, children $5,
children under 5 years, free.
Council releases updated Scores on Doors ratings for local food businesses
Griffith City Council is encouraging locals to keep an
eye out for the purple and green certificates on display
at some of our local cafés and restaurants – it’s a sign
of their participation in the NSW Scores on Doors
hygiene and food safety rating program.
Council is a proud participant in the state-wide
program, which aims to improve food safety standards
and to reduce the instance of foodborne illness in the
retail food industry, and there are currently 27 food
businesses partaking.
“Scores on Doors offers businesses the opportunity
to show customers just how seriously they take
food hygiene and the results they have achieved by
displaying a rating certificate on their doors,” said
Council’s Public Health Officer Vanessa Johns.
“We are lucky to enjoy such a fantastic range of
quality restaurants in the Griffith area and I encourage
residents to support our local businesses,” she added.
Local restaurant and Scores on Doors participant
Novus Restaurant recently received a certificate for
consistently achieving a high score rating since the
launch of the program in 2011.
During the round of Food Inspections carried out
in December 2014, Novus achieved another 5 Star
Excellent rating.
“We aim to not only provide great quality food to our
local community but also most importantly, Safe Food,”
said Novus Restaurant’s Head Chef Steve Franchi.
Council has just released an updated list of Food
Businesses and their score ratings as a result of the
latest completed round of food inspections. The list
is available under the Environment and Health, Food
Safety tab on Council’s website www.griffith.nsw.gov.
au.
The rating system of Excellent (5 stars), Very Good (4
stars) and Good (3 stars), all represent various levels
of compliance with the Food Standards Code.
Environment and Public Health Council officers inspect
businesses and rate their hygiene and food safety
standards. The rating includes such things as food
temperature control, food prepared in advance of
service, food handler hygiene, cleaning and sanitisation
and pest control.
Food Businesses interested in participating in Council’s
Scores on Doors program can contact the Environment
Steve Franchi, Head Chef of Novus Restaurant, holding the 5-star
& Health Department on (02) 6962 8100.
Rural Addressing program rolls out
Griffith City Council has started to
roll out Rural Addressing in our local
government area. The roll-out is on a
locality-by-locality basis over the next 18
months. Rural Addressing is a distance
based numbering system used for
determining address numbers in rural
and semi-rural areas. It is based on the
distance of the access point from the
road number starting point. This distance
is measured in metres and then divided
by 10. The number is then rounded to
the nearest odd number (for points on
the left side of the road) or nearest even
number (for points on the right side of
the road).
Important questions and answers have
been compiled and made available on
Council’s website at www.griffith.nsw.
gov.au/ra. Information includes how
Council determines rural addresses,
what to do with rural addresses, why
rural addressing is needed, which
properties will receive rural addresses,
what happens to Farm Numbers and PO
Box addresses, and more.
On the website you can also download:
a) The NSW Addressing User Manual
(free)
b) The Australian/New Zealand Standard
AS/NZS 4819:2011: Rural and urban
addressing, (purchase from AI Global),
and
c) The Change of Address Form.
For more information, please contact
Council on (02) 6962 8100 or visit the
Customer Service Team.
excellent rating NSW Scores on Doors Certificate.
Residents welcome to attend Council meetings
Residents are welcome to attend Griffith
City Council meetings, which are referred
to as ‘ordinary meetings’ and held every
second Tuesday of the month. The next
meeting is tomorrow, Tuesday March 24.
The agenda for each meeting is available
on Council’s website www.griffith.nsw.gov.
au. A printed copy is also available in the
Customer Service area of Council’s admin
building prior to each meeting.
If you would like to ask a question/s during
a meeting, questions must be related to
items on the agenda for that meeting and
must be submitted via a request to Council
no later than noon on the day of the meeting. The request must be approved by the
Mayor.
Members of the public who attend Council
meetings are required to observe the same
standards observed by the Mayor, Councillors, Council staff and guests - please
obey the direction of the chairperson,
follow the guidelines of keeping to
approximately five minutes for speaking,
don’t use any behaviour or language inconsistent with good order and decorum,
and do not make personal reflections or
impute improper motives to councillors or
staff.
Council meetings are held in the Council Chambers at 1 Benerembah Street,
Griffith, starting at 7pm. Dates for Council
Committee meetings are also available on
Council’s website.
The remaining 2015 Council Meeting dates
are as follows:
24 March
14 April
28 April
12 May
26 May
9 June
23 June
14 July
28 July
11 August
25 August
8 September
22 September
13 October
27 October
10 November
24 November
8 December