We have got through that but we are not out of the woods. Please comply with the health orders on social distancing, wearing masks and keeping movement to a minimum.

Unfortunately some people were rude to the frontline workers undertaking the testing and there have been some reports of poor behaviour at clinics where vaccinations are taking place. They know who they are, and they should be ashamed.

Please do not take any notice of the keyboard warrior; if you are in doubt over any matter please contact your doctor or go the the NSW Health website where a daily update is given.

I know the frustrations, and my heart goes out to those particularly in private business where the financial and emotional stress is probably the highest.

I'd like to thank all of those folk who are out there doing the COVID testing, the centres that are undertaking the vaccinations and the Western Area Health for their efforts.

The postponed meeting of July 20 (the day we went into lockdown) was held last Tuesday, and we have another meeting on Tuesday night.

There were a number of DAs that were approved including a substantial housing development in Borrodell Drive, and a conversion of what was known as The French restaurant into two house subdivision.

Also tabled was a substantial report (Environmental Assessment) for the East Orange Storm water harvesting project.

This will produce a wetland and associated linked greenways which will no doubt be as good or better than The Ploughmans Wetlands that have been an absolute asset for the environment, greenspace and a source of some water with stormwater harvesting.

Please note stormwater harvesting only can take place when dam levels are below a certain level, and if water flow is above certain points. This helps even out high water levels that can cause substantial environmental damage along the waterway.

It is also important to remember that Council releases water from Suma Park dam in dry times to ensure environmental flows in Summer Hill Creek.

There are a number of other projects that are underway to increase Orange's water storage, projects that will supplement the raising of the dam wall completed a few years back, Ploughmans Creek stormwater harvesting, the pipeline to the Macquarie River, bore supplies.

The other projects include pipelines to Wyangala (possible emergency use) and others that in the long term will see towns and villages linked via pipelines that help ensure water supply in any emergency situation (like drought).

I must refute a comment recently in the media that Orange in 2019 was going to have to shut down some industries due to water levels; absolute rubbish.

Council is willing, at anytime, to discuss our water supply, its usage and ongoing projects.

Council reports monthly supply, usage regularly - it's available to everyone!

The other report tabled was on the initial stages of an Environmental Impact Assessment on Mount Canobolas. This includes very substantial stakeholder input, including Aboriginal Land Council, Heritage NSW, National Parks and Wildlife, Forestry, the Department of Planning, Industry and Environment, Crown Lands and Orange and Cabonne Councils.

Please note: this report also looked at all possible restraints and no-go areas for any development (including, cultural and archaeological significant artifacts, threatened and other significant species, fauna habitats, lichen, waterways etc).

The work also includes a wide range of other community groups and individuals that provided input or data, including the interest group Canobolas Conservation Alliance.

There is still much work to be undertaken,but I am pleased to see some on the Mountain, including the problems that exist. Therefore, for some individuals or groups to keep saying they have not had or cannot have input is absolutely misleading.

A motion went before Council to consider (in conjunction with stakeholder groups) the possibility of establishing a grieving mother statue to recognise the mothers that suffered with children and husbands away in war.

That has been deferred as some would prefer it to be a 'grieving parent' memorial.

It will certainly go back to the members of the Heritage and Historical groups that brought the concept forward to council.

Finally an updated report was tabled on the progress of the Sports Precinct that will sit alongside the Jack Brabham sports grounds.

This is available to the community and I have had much positive feedback from the community on the aerial map that showed its position that appeared in the CWD.

Much of the feedback proved that many in the community were not sure where it was to be located, and did not realise that it was so far from the Bloomfield Hospital grounds and did not encroach onto the half of the parkland.

Council, in conjunction with Local Land Services, has established a number of breeding boxes in trees along Bloomfield Park (in the native woodland area). And I will follow up if they are being inhabited. But you can be assured the Superb parrot, if any native parrots, don't make their homes or nests in pine trees!

Keep safe, warm and look out for anyone who needs support.

Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can continue to access our trusted content: