Category: Comment

New posts

There haven’t been any for a while unfortunately, however over the weekend I’ll be reviewing what’s been taking place in council and updating my blog. Cheers

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The Architecture of Australia’s Housing Crisis

It’s Not One Thing. It’s A System Of Decades of Policy Choices While Council has some ability to assist in the provision of low cost housing, we lose sight of the role that Federal and State Governments have played in creating the […]

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Pelican Boardwalk extension

MidCoast Council will further extend the popular Pelican Boardwalk on Memorial Drive at Forster. A new 80 metre section of boardwalk will provide an over-water experience heading east towards the Red Spot boat shed. Some preliminary activity will start on Monday 9 […]

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361 Blackhead Rd, Hallidays Point costing

The cost of $3,000,000 for the Delegated Authority DA approval is only for the modifications to the original DA dating from 2004. Some thought that the amount was a costing for the whole project, however this is untrue.

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Economist warns rural NSW shires are on the verge of financial ruin

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-02-24/rural-nsw-councils-warn-of-financial-sustainability-crisis/106358104 This article describes a systemic crisis where rural councils, hamstrung by low rate revenue and rising costs for essential community services, are being pushed towards a financial cliff by an inadequate funding model. Many councils find themselves in similar, but less […]

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Arts & Cultural Industries Reference Group update

I’m a member of this group and we’d like your feedback on our Cultural Plan and shaping the future of the Manning Entertainment Centre. Cultural Plan link https://haveyoursay.midcoast.nsw.gov.au/check-midcoast-cultural-plan-2036 MidCoast Council is inviting the community to a public meeting at the Manning Entertainment […]

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Check if you’re in a 10/50 area

https://www.rfs.nsw.gov.au/plan-and-prepare/1050-vegetation-clearing/tool Use the link to check if your property is in a 10/50 area and then go to https://www.rfs.nsw.gov.au/plan-and-prepare/1050-vegetation-clearing for more info on the regulation and some changes that have been made to the Code of Practice. Being in a 10/50 area […]

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The Budget Sessions

Last week, Feb 11, Councillors were updated on Asset Future Funding and the IP&R (Integrated Planning & Reporting) program schedule and were given a Capital Project Reporting Update ie., the method of reporting. Today we will be presented with a Draft Statement […]

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Council meeting video available

The video of the council meeting of the 4th of February is available on YouTube at https://youtu.be/YM4qg0mWKac I wasn’t expecting it to be available until the upgrade of the Council computer system slated for March 31. The new Code of Meeting Practice […]

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Section 7.11 Contributions

N.B. This is public information that is available on the Council’s website when researching approved DA’s. While helping some locals discover details of the Lot 23 Blueys Beach development I found this statement of developer contributions. Although it dates from a few […]

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February 4 Council Meeting

You can find the Agenda and Attachments pdfs at this page. The answers to Mal McKenzie and my Questions with Notice are placed unusually at the end of the Agenda on p.84. I had posted these questions on my blog previously expectantly […]

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Who decides your Rates?

This graphic shows what controls your council has on your rates. Most of the decisions are taken from council by the state government, whether it’s through property valuations (NSW Valuer General), the Local Government Act 1993, service mandates and concessions, and of […]

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The increasing cost of not fixing roads

Every year council falls $16m further behind in its ability to maintain the roads. Here’s a way to understand what it costs to not fix them. If roads aren’t regularly resealed then they will need to be rehabilitated, if not rehabilitated then […]

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Take it easy out there

There have been two car accidents close to where I live in the last couple of weeks. They were both the result of speeding and high alcohol consumption. We’re often happy to unload on visitors to the area causing our problems but […]

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Blueys Beach roundabout

The developer’s plans are with council at the moment. The length of time this process takes will relate to any issues that council have with it. After that, the usual DA process will take place. I don’t know if these plans will […]

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