The general manager and I received an update at the NSW Rural Fire Service Control Centre in West Kempsey on how the shire was positioned with the recent bush fires. The top priority is to keep the community safe and to ensure the areas surrounding the fires are blocked off from the public. It was necessary, due to the extreme winds, that Kempsey be declared a Section 44 under the Rural Fires Act. This made it possible to bring in extra resources from outside the shire to assist in containing the fires.
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The NSW Rural Fire Service has brought in helicopters, which are stationed at Kempsey Airport, to increase efforts to combat the fires by waterbombing.
On behalf of the Kempsey Shire, thank you to the NSW Rural Fire Services, National Parks and Wildlife, NSW Fire and Rescue, our council staff and all other emergency service workers for keeping the community safe - you are doing a magnificent job. The abnormal number of fires that have been burning, could have been catastrophic for our valley without your heroic efforts.
Police meeting
The NSW Police Force has engaged the State Crime Command's Property Crime Squad Arson Unit's 'Strike Force Tronto' to conduct an intensive investigation into arson events in Kempsey. Everyone is welcome to attend the community arson information meeting, facilitated by the NSW Police Force at the Kempsey Shire Council Chambers on August 20 at 5:30pm.
Book Week
The ability to read and write provides children with the opportunity to open their minds and create magical stories.
Kempsey Shire Library is celebrating Children's Book Week by hosting author Melaina Faranda who has published over 50 young adult and children's books. Melaina will be visiting our local schools to provide some inspiring workshops for students. I look forward to seeing the local students express themselves by dressing as their favourite book character over this week's celebrations.
