Celebrating the power of community this Local Government Week

This year's theme is 'Your Council' and recognises council's involvement in its local communities and the breadth of services, roles and duties that local government perform.

As the third tier of government in Australia, Local Government is the one that has the most direct contact with ratepayers and residents and the one that provides vital services that impact daily life such as waste collection, water and facilities.

Kempsey Shire Council general manager Craig Milburn said the week is a great way to raise awareness of the complex operations of council.

"One of the key themes we talk about as council staff is that we are better together. It's important that we work together across all the parts of the organisation, but we are also much more effective if we are working together with our community.

"Through the activities we've planned for Local Government Week, we want to create ways to highlight our services, explain how the community can be involved and continue to seek feedback," Mr Milburn said.

Kempsey Shire Council will be celebrating Local Government Week with events, tours and information aiming to help the community learn more about how council operates.

Two free tours of Steuart McIntyre Dam will help participants understand more about our water supply and the operations of the site.

The informative one hour tour, run by council's water staff will take participants on a walk around the site where they can learn more about the dam's supply of water to Kempsey, Jerseyville, Frederickton and Clybucca and the associated treatment plant.

There is no need to book for the Dam Tours just meet at the public car park at 1pm on Monday July 29 and 10am on Wednesday July 31.

Local Government Week will also see council launch a new free service to help community groups, businesses and individuals search and find available grants from all levels of Government and industry.

The Macleay Grant Hub is an easy to use website specifically tailored for the Macleay. Information sessions about using the site will be held on Monday, July 29 from 6-8pm and Tuesday, July 30 from 10am to 12pm at Kempsey Shire Council's Committee Room.

Council staff will wrap up the week with an information stall at the Kempsey Riverside Park Markets on Saturday, August 3 from 8am to 1pm. There will be giveaways, information about the new Kempsey Community Directory and Macleay Grant Hub, waste and recycling services, road safety, library and more. Visitors to the stall will also be able to learn more about making a submissions on the options being considered for the Kempsey Regional Saleyards.

For more information about any of the events scheduled for Local Government Week go to council's website: www.kempsey.nsw.gov.au

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