Featured programs

Increased funding for Local Heritage Assistance Grant Program

In response to the unprecedented number of applications for funding under the Local Heritage Assistance Fund grant program, Bellingen Shire Mayor, Cr Dominic King advised that Council has approved a significant increase in its financial contribution for the 2018-2019 Fund.

This year, in line with the adopted Heritage Strategy 2017-2020, Council undertook a targeted campaign to encourage property owners of commercial buildings within the Bellingen Conservation Area to apply for funding towards restoration and conservation works on their buildings.

Examples of projects eligible...
Read: Increased funding for Local Heritage Assistance Grant Program

Inclusive Tourism and Disability Awareness Training

Did you know that 1 in 3 customers with a disability have ceased a financial transaction because they were not treated respectfully or fairly? This equates to around one billion dollars a year in lost sales across Australia.

With the recent roll out of Inclusive Tourism Workshops across the Shire, attending businesses received a great insight in to the dynamics and value of the Inclusive Tourism market. The workshops were conducted by Inclusive Tourism Pty Ltd who specialise in consulting with tourism associations and businesses on how to make their businesses and destinations more...
Read: Inclusive Tourism and Disability Awareness Training

North Coast Tourism Awards & Tourism Symposium

The North Coast Tourism Awards and the North Coast Tourism Symposium will be held in Coffs Harbour on Wednesday 25 July 2018.

The Awards will recognise and celebrate the outstanding achievement of tourism operators across the region, featuring more than thirteen categories. The judging process is now complete and finalists have been notified.  Bellingen Shire has a number of tourism businesses who have made it through to the finals. Congratulations to those businesses and good luck at the Awards.

The Tourism Symposium will include presenters from: National Parks and Wildlife...
Read: North Coast Tourism Awards & Tourism Symposium

Fees and Charges at Council Waste Transfer Stations

Over recent years Council has made significant upgrades at its Waste Management Facilities.  

From 1 July 2018 there will be changes in the way fees are charged at the waste facilities. 

Three main changes are:

Rural residents who have access rights associated with the waste management fee levied under the NSW Local Government Act 1993, will receive in the post a Waste Facility Access Charge card. If you have not received your card by mid July and believe you are entitled to one – please contact Council.  This card allows rural residents to dispose of domestic waste...
Read: Fees and Charges at Council Waste Transfer Stations

Justice of the Peace Service

Justices of the Peace (JP’s) play an essential role in the legal system and provide a valuable and important service to the community and/or the workplace.

NSW Justice has an online public register of all JP’s where you can search by entering a postcode.  The register lists all JP’s in that area and provides a telephone number for JP’s who serve the community directly.  Visit www.jp.lawlink.nsw.gov.au for additional JP services. Please note that JP’s on the register are volunteers and may not...
Read: Justice of the Peace Service

2018 Local Health Needs Assessment - Community Survey

North Coast residents are invited to have a say on their local health services by undertaking a community survey between 4-17 June 2018. This is a great opportunity to get involved.

Further Information:

Bellingen Local Government Area - Health Check Statistics

Access the Survey between 4-17 June at www.ncphn.org.au/speakup...
Read: 2018 Local Health Needs Assessment - Community Survey

Keep Recycling Right following China National Sword Policy

Bellingen Shire residents are great recyclers with 88% regularly recycling through their yellow bin. This commitment and effort helps to ensure that resources are reused with the materials being processed and recycled back into usable products.

Until recently, many of the items collected through kerbside recycling have been sorted and baled in local facilities and then on-sold to processors in China. This is particularly true of paper and cardboard and mixed plastics. The Chinese government has recently introduced a policy change known as the National Sword, which restricts the...
Read: Keep Recycling Right following China National Sword Policy

North Coast Tourism Awards and Tourism Symposium

The North Coast Tourism Awards will be held in Coffs Harbour this year at Opal Cove Resort on 25 July.

NSW based winners of the Regional Tourism Awards gain finalists status upon entering the NSW State Tourism Awards and if successful, go on to the Australian Tourism Awards.

This year’s awards will be a co-production between NSW Business Chamber, Destination North Coast and Destination Coffs Coast. The North Coast includes Lord Howe Island and thirteen local government areas on the mainland from Tweed Heads down to Hawkes Nest in the Great Lake Region.

Bellingen Shire...
Read: North Coast Tourism Awards and Tourism Symposium

Draft North Coast Regional Strategic Pest Animal Management Plan on exhibition

The North Coast Local Land Services advises that the Draft North Coast Regional Strategic Pest Animal Management Plan 2018-2023 is now on public exhibition.

We’re changing how pest animals are managed in NSW.
The NSW Government is taking a regional approach to pest animal management through the development of regional strategic pest animal management plans.

Major pest animals such as rabbits, carp, pigs, foxes and dogs to name a few are estimated to cost the NSW economy approximately $170 million annually. The...
Read: Draft North Coast Regional Strategic Pest Animal Management Plan on exhibition

Small Business to keep our main streets vibrant

Bellingen Shire is lucky to have a wide range of small independent businesses attracting people to Bellingen, Dorrigo and Urunga town centres.

These centres have retained their street-based shopping strips, rare in many coastal areas where big box malls and chain stores have replaced the traditional main street environment. Great main streets are busy and lively places and Council encourages businesses to utilise the footpath outside their premises, where space allows, to add to the buzzing atmosphere and attract people to stop, shop and socialise in the streets.

“As a member...
Read: Small Business to keep our main streets vibrant

Pages

From time to time, Bellingen Shire Council will feature different programs and information. The articles will be featured on the home page and are listed below: