As Tenterfield Council, New South Wales, approaches the anniversary date of the fire event which flashed over the local water catchment and the following ash run-off issues, recognition has been given by Local Government NSW in the prestigious RH Dougherty Awards – Reporting to Your Community for a Shire with a population less than 30,000.
Council has received the Award for Reporting to your Community – Drought Management.
Mayor, Peter Petty, said, “The Award recognises the power of work undertaken by councillors and staff to ensure our community was kept informed and reminded of the water restrictions via poster information, internet based tips and a water saving campaign through Council’s website, media releases and Your Local News.
“A letter box drop with a shower timer and a letter outlining the water issues was complemented by provision of flyers to all accommodation providers to ensure our visitors were aware of the water situation.
“Council staff also took the initiative to personally distribute flyers when the Health Department issued the ‘boil water alert’.
“The next water event will be the awarding of the tender for construction of a new water filtration plant to replace the current 90 year old plant.
“With the strengthening of the dam wall and a new filtration plant which will be able to deal with water of any quality, and the new bore fields, Tenterfield is in a good place to cope with any future drought events.
“In total, at the completion of the new filtration plant and installation of the bore field infrastructure, together with the previous works on the dam wall, Council will have expended an amount in excess of $25 million dollars to ensure water security.
“Council’s innovation and flexibility to deliver reporting excellence demonstrates the ability of Tenterfield Shire Council to punch well above its weight.”
