Council move on unapproved rural dwellings

This question was posed by Cr. Malcolm Barlow at last Council meeting.

Cr. Barlow posed the question in a notice of motion that “Council should increase its capacity in the 2016/17 Budget to address the problem of unapproved dwellings that is occurring particularly in some rural subdivisions.”

The written response by the General Manager (Mr. John Bell) was that while this remained a problem, there was no short term resolution.

“A project such as this will require a substantial ongoing financial commitment by Council, not only to fund the (monitoring) position (about $80,000 a year plus 44% on0costs), but to ensure sufficient funding to cover all potential costs.

“The Council legal budget is currently only $25,000. Council will need to consider increasing this to $150,000 as a minimum.”

Mr. Bell raised further concerns about the ability to accommodate additional staff, availability of vehicles and demand on existing staff to assist a compliance officer.

Cr. Barlow responded that he was “a little disappointed” at the General Manager’s comments as he had not, in his notice of motion, mentioned increasing staff or appointing a compliance officer.

He envisaged action on one or two days a week within the present operations.

“I don’t think we should have this problem and do nothing about it,” Cr. Barlow added. “I think we should discuss this problem – additional staff is just one possibility.”

Mayor Cr. Shaw pointed out that Cr. Barlow’s notice of motion did not say anything about two days a week. “The General Manager’s response was based on full time capacity. Our current staffing capacity couldn’t afford the time.”

Cr. Brian McCormack pointed out that approval was not required for the erection of  a farm shed. “Anyone can build a shed without approval.”

To Cr. James Wheelwright, Planning Director Mrs. Tina Dodson said that a farm building was a “non-habitable building.”

Approval could be given to adapt a building as a temporary dwelling while a house was being built.

Cr. Jo Marshall commented that going to Court in such matters would be very expensive – one answer would be to change the legislation.

Cr. Wheelwright added that this was a matter of education – Court action could bankrupt Council.

“We could finish up getting rid of the Colorbond buildings and see them replaced with dirty old caravans. I’ve got no objections to Colorbond sheds.”

Mrs. Dodson: “It is possible to turn a shed into a house – it just needs approval.”

Cr. John Searl suggested Council could have a “workshop” on the problem, to which Cr. Paul Culhane agreed.

Cr. McCormack threw a different aspect into the discussion, saying the problem was not the worst ocurring in the Shire; a biggere problem involved motor bikes and shooting.

“There are hundreds of motor bikes racing round the blocks; they probably own the land, so it is probably not illegal.

“I don’t know how we can tell someone down Kangaloolah Road he can’t ride his bike around his own property.”

Cr. Barlow, getting back to his original motion, commented: “It is a complex problem with no easy solution. I’d hate to have this a growing problem and to be seen to be doing nothing.”

Finally, Cr. Barlow withdrew his notice of motion and moved that Council should:

Explore means by which it can address the problem of unapproved dwellings that is occurring, particularly in rural subdivisions;

That Council write to the Minister for Planning and the Minister for Local Government seeking their support and assistance in this matter by: a) changing legislation to deter illegal developments that are build without appropriate approvals; and b) increasing sanctions for illegal works and commencement of building works without appropriate consent.

This was seconded by Cr. Marshall and carried.

Council to help Stonequarry Cemetery plan

THE Taralga community has launched a project to build a toilet facility at the Stonequarry Cemetery – and Upper Lachlan Council has agreed to help out.

At last Council meeting, Mr. Laurie Chalker (who is chairman of the Stonequarry Cemetery Committee) spoke of the need for such a toilet and the steps already taken to provide one – mostly through voluntary effort and donations.

He explained that many people (particularly the elderly) found it difficult to travel out to the cemetery after a funeral service because of the lack of toilet facilities there.

Added to this, the project to provide tombstones for the many unmarked graves meant frequent activities in the area.

Already 44 such markers had been provided, and 12 more are listed to be done, but Mr. Chalker said there were many more unmarked graves, dating well back into the 1800s.

The toilet planned would be serviced by a septic tank, with the 500 litre water storage under the roof safe from pilfering or vandalism.

Many items had been donated, and the building work would be done voluntarily, keeping the estimated cost down to about $8,100.

Mr. Chalker asked that Council pay for the services of a structural engineer to oversee the work and for Council staff to provide the necessary draft plans.

He pointed out that the toilet would also be of assistance to Council staff working in that area.

Cr. Malcolm Barlow found the proposition “highly commendable –I think this is the right way to go about it.”

Mayor Cr. John Shaw: “I agree with Cr. Barlow; it’s not a great deal of money and they’re looking for community support.”

Council’s Planning Director Mrs. Tina Dodson, replying to a question from Cr. James Wheelwright, said proper plans would have to be drawn up for Council to approve the structure.

A further complication was that the cemetery is within the Sydney Water Catchment which would have to also approve.

“We have a duty of care to make sure nothing falls down.”

Mrs. Dodson said design plans, structural certification and waste water management could cost $4,000, with ongoing cleaning and maintenance costing as much as $10,000 a year.

She provided three options:

Council provide financial support, or not; or provide in principle support with no provision of finance.

Cr. Brian McCormack: “I’m in favour of this. It is needed, the cemetery is ten kilometres out of Taralga. I think we should go out of our way to help.”

In moving Council give its support, Cr. McCormack disputed the figure of $10,000 a year for cleaning.

“This would depend on the number of funerals, and local people could help out – workers could sweep out when they finished.”

Acting General Manager Mr. Andrew Croke:: “There’s more to cleaning and hygiene than sweeping out.”

Cr. Barlow seconded Cr. McCormack’s motion that Council provide $6,000 for the preliminary costs.

Cr. McCormack: “I think it is needed. They have voluntary support, and if they’re going to build it, we can clean it.”

Cr. Barlow: “We have internal reserves to meet this cost.”

To Cr. Jo Marshall, Mrs. Dodson said there would have to be an annual inspection and report to Sydney Water.

Mrs. Dodson explained Council did not have a draftsman to draw up the plans, and an outside contractor would be needed.

Mr. Croke advised that part of the $6,000 allotted could be used to pay a draftsman.

At Cr. Marshall’s suggestion, the wording “subject to the requirements of the Sydney Catchment Authority” was added to the motion.

The motion was carried unanimously.