Bushfire assistance: At the January meeting, council agreed to further bushfire assistance measures. The Federal Government has provided $1m bushfire assistance which will be used to offset assistance measures such hire fees at the Braidwood Showground, subsidising private works relating to dam clearing, waste disposal fees, development application and inspection fees and rates rebates. Council will also fit out the recovery centre and arrange repairs to Braidwood evacuation centre and recovery camp at the showground, recruit a fixed-term local bushfire recovery coordinator, recruit a fixed-term economic development officer to work with businesses in affected area, initiate an advertising campaign to help restore local economies in Braidwood and Bungendore, employ a community development officer to engage with community to restore and build resilience in affected communities, provide financial support for local wildlife recovery groups and hold the balance in reserve for unfunded infrastructure repairs. A financial assistance package including subsidies for development fees and inspections and a one-off rates rebate will be placed on public exhibition.
Young Artists Mentoring Program: We are looking for young artists from the local community aged 12-25. Mentoring will be provided by Mariana del Castillo who is a highly experienced artist. They will have the opportunity to develop and improve teamwork, communication and leadership skills, as well as positively contributing to the local community. The mentoring will teach them to lead weekly art classes for 20 young people and also organise a youth-curated art exhibition which will showcase the artwork produced during the year. Expressions of interest are open until February 7 and can be completed online at www.qprc.nsw.gov.au/Young-Artists-Mentoring-Program
Queanbeyan Civic and Cultural Precinct: After a period of engagement with the community late in 2019, council has engaged APP Corporation Pty Ltd to provide project management services for the Queanbeyan Civic and Cultural Precinct. A detailed design will now be developed. Given that this will be a council project, assessment of the development application will be via an independent consultant and the consent authority will be the Southern Regional Planning Panel. The detailed design will take into account comments and suggestions received during the exhibition period.
Festival One: Festival One celebrates diversity and inclusion during Social Inclusion Week. On Friday, February 7 from 4-8pm in Queanbeyan Park, come and join in an event that is inclusive of all cultures, age groups, nationalities and abilities. Shannon Noll will be performing and the festival will be raising funds for bushfire support.
