In brief
PORT Macquarie-Hastings mayor Peter Besseling is keeping his cards close to the chest when it comes to running in the next State Government elections.
Port Macquarie MP Leslie Williams said many people had told her Cr Besseling would run. However, when asked for comment by the Independent, Cr Besseling would not confirm or deny his candidacy, saying only a flat “no comment”.
If he does run, Cr Besseling would probably have to run as an Independent because Ms Williams has already been pre-selected to run on behalf of the Nationals, and the Liberals and Nationals have an agreement not to run candidates in the same seat.
Cr Besseling is not a member of the Labor Party so running as the Labor candidate is not an option.
TELSTRA FOR KIDS
CHILDREN at Wauchope Pre-School Kindergarten will learn the fun way following a $1200 grant from Telstra’s Kids Fund. The grant means the preschool will be able to purchase a range of new educational toys, helping the children learn as part of their playtime. The school is just one of 625 community non-profit organisations across Australia to benefit from the Telstra Foundation’s commitment to supporting local communities through $750,000 of Telstra’s Kids Fund grants available in 2014.
NEW PRINCIPAL
HIGHLY experienced secondary principal Dr Wayne Ible has been appointed as executive principal of Port Macquarie’s new secondary college.
The college will operate from the start of the 2015 school year and include the campuses of the existing Port Macquarie and Westport high schools, with Year 11 and 12 students able to access a broader choice of subjects across both sites. Dr Ible will take up his position on day one of term two and will be involved in refining operational matters including determining curriculum and extra-curricula offerings, how teaching and online resources will be shared, and how to align the schools’ orientation, transition, assessment and reporting programs.
PET DISPOSAL
PORT Macquarie-Hastings Council is urging residents to dispose of euthanased pets appropriately. Chemicals used to euthanase animals can be harmful to the environment where inappropriate disposal occurs. For further information visit www.pmhc.nsw.gov.au or speak to a vet.
LAKE CATHIE CONCERNS
CONCERNS from local residents about coastal hazard notations impacting on properties at Lake Cathie have been raised with the Minister for Planning Brad Hazzard.
Port Macquarie MP Leslie Williams met with Minister Hazzard regarding the Department of Planning and Infrastructure Draft Planning Circular relating to coastal hazard notations, which when finalised will be the new guidelines for councils when completing S.149 certificates.
“Minister Hazzard has listened to the concerns I raised on behalf of the residents and indicated that they will be considered along with all other submissions as part of the review currently being conducted,” Ms Williams said.
