Events & Social

Third Vision Circle

goolawahcoop Events & Social, Governance

For the third Vision Circle gathering on Sept 18, Mairead prepared this summary of past Goolawah vision/values exercises that was presented and discussed at the circle:

Goolawah Historic Visioning Exercises -Summary for 3rd Vision Circle

Following the second Vision Circle, Marc looked at vision statements from other communities to help inform the process of creating one for Goolawah. With their different approaches to the concept of a vision statement, he explored the terminology used by some communities, to help with clarity:

Goolawah Vision – Research on Other Communities

Fire Hotspots Workshop – 16 Nov 2022

goolawahcoop Events & Social, Fire, Flood & Land

The Nature Conservation Council and RFS are organising a Hotspots Fire Information Session next Wednesday at the Camp Kitchen, starting at 10 am. Details of the program are in the invitation below – we are all invited to attend.

The workshop presenters would like to know the number of participants, so please RSVP to either Denise or Jac by this Friday (11 Nov), as per today’s phone tree message. And also let them know if you’re able to contribute a lunch plate.

Goolawah Hotspots Fire Project Information Session Flyer 1

Maria River Road – Sealing #4

goolawahcoop Events & Social, Tips

PMHCouncil is the lead partner in this joint project with Kempsey to seal Maria River Road, and their Project Manager has given this update on its progress.

The road design is complete now, with 7.2m of seal and 0.5m gravel shoulders. Unfortunately, it won’t be straightening out the s-bend at the beginning of the existing seal going north.

Acquisition of a parcel of necessary land from National Parks passed through the NSW Parliament last week, and other regulatory and environmental approvals are proceeding slowly, which is apparently normal for this type of sensitive project.

As early preparation for the construction phase, some of the culverts and drainage along the road may be worked on later this year or early next year.

Actual construction should now commence in the second half of 2023 (not this year, as last advised!), and take about 6 months to complete. Weather permitting!!

He didn’t say anything about holding your breath.

Maria River Road – Sealing #3

goolawahcoop Events & Social, Tips

Project Manager for PMH Council has verbally provided this update on progress towards sealing MRR.

Apparently the original road design to a high standard (9m wide) was too costly for the grants provided by Federal & NSW governments. So, a down-scaled re-design was necessary, and should be approved by the first quarter of next year.

Additionally, the road’s boundary with the National Park along the southern section needs to be adjusted, which involves environmental approvals not tried before under the Act. These approvals may take until Aug-Sept next year.

Roadworks on sealing MRR will therefore start, at best, by fourth quarter 2022.

Maria River Road – Sealing #1

goolawahcoop Events & Social, Tips

In response to a query about plans for possible sealing of Maria River Road, Kempsey Council has advised the following:

“While funding for sealing of Maria River Road was promised by the State Member for Oxley, Melinda Pavey (formerly Minister for Roads, etc.) prior to the last State election, no formal offer of funding has been received to date. In fact, Council has recently been requested to apply for funding under the Fixing Local Roads Program which is currently pending. In the absence of a formal offer that is acceptable to Council, no firm indication of when the road might be sealed is possible. However, given that the section of road is approximately 24km long, completion of environmental studies, design and construction is likely to take at least two years from the date funding is offered.”