Boorowa
Issue: Resource Use
This issue is discussed for these areas: [an error occurred while processing this directive]
For more information refer to the following Indicators:
Drinking Water Quality | Hazardous Waste | Heritage | Noise | Population | Solid Waste | Water Use
In the 2004 Regional State of the Environment Report (RSoER) two issues papers covered community wellbeing and resource use for each Council. Previous ’Community Wellbeing‘ indicators have not been reported on in this RSoER following a decision by the RSOER workshop in July 2007 as these indicators are now covered in the Council’s Social Plan .
Under the requirements of the New South Wales (NSW) Local Government Act 1993, reporting of Heritage (both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal) and Noise is mandatory in state of the environment reports.
What changes took place during the reporting period?
- Strongly affected by drought
- Continued drinking water quality of a high standard
- Population is reducing in number but growing in age
- The main noise complaint problems were in relation to a small number of barking dogs
- Waste minimisation strategies improved
- Little change to the listed heritage estate.
| Council Locations | Coastal Councils Eurobodalla Bega Valley |
Alpine Councils Tumut Tumbarumba Snowy River Bombala Cooma/Monaro |
Major Regional Centre Councils Queanbeyan Yass Goulburn/ Mulwaree |
Inland Councils Young Boorowa Upper Lachlan Cootamundra Harden Gundagai Palerang |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Population Size change | Increased population | Declining population | Increased population | Declined population |
| Population age change | Aging population | Aging population | Aging population | Aging population |
| Heritage | Spending on heritage programs | Spending on heritage programs | Spending on heritage programs | Spending on heritage programs |
| Noise | Main complaints - barking dogs. Improved noise compliance outcomes |
Main complaints - barking dogs. Improved noise compliance outcomes |
Main complaints - barking dogs. Improved noise compliance outcomes |
Main complaints - barking dogs. Improved noise compliance outcomes |
| Waste | Good initiatives/ reduction strategies in place Improved data collection |
Good initiatives/ reduction strategies in place | Good initiatives/ reduction strategies in place Improved data collection |
Good initiatives/ reduction strategies in place |
| Water Quality | Consistent High Water Quality | Consistent High Water Quality | Consistent High Water Quality | Consistent High Water Quality |
| Water Availability | Higher potential evaporation Water restrictions |
Higher potential evaporation Water restrictions |
Higher potential evaporation Water restrictions |
Higher potential evaporation Water restrictions |
Source: The information in this table is collated from data supplied by Councils (collated by OCSE)
Water
No data were provided for Boorowa water use over the last ten years, apart from the water used in 2007-2008, so it is not possible to comment. Boorowa Council area draws water from a weir on the Boorowa River. The amount extracted is controlled by NSW Government licence. It is processed through a full water treatment plant for supply to approximately 1,300 people in the town. A total of 220 ML were used in 2007-2008.
The drinking water supply was of consistently good quality with two exceptions in December 2007, that have not recurred since. A full treatment plant, with all normal processes and, in addition, granular activated carbon, supplies the water. The supply provides water for 1,300 people. Water is sourced from the Boorowa River.
Population
The Boorowa Council area population continued to fall in number yet grow in age. The 2006 Census reports a population of 2,390 compared to an estimated figure of 2,342 for 2007. Since the 2004 SoER the population has fallen from 2,402 or 60 persons (-0.6%).
Compared with NSW as a whole Boorowa Council area has a higher aged population, a slightly lower indigenous population and a slight increase in the proportion of persons born overseas which concords with the trend for the State. Along with many other jurisdictions in Australia, Bombala Council will need to consider the impacts of an ageing population on economy and infrastructure.
The composition of households has continued the trend noted in the 2004 report with an increased reduction in the number of households comprising couples with children (falling from 31.8% to 26.0%) and a consequent increase in couples without children, one parent families and lone households. Council’s Social plan is committed to addressing these issues.
Noise
A small number of noise complaints were received by the Council in this reporting period, the only data available is in relation to barking dogs where five complaints were received.
Council did not undertake any noise monitoring in the period of this report therefore it is not possible to report on trends.
Reducing solid waste
Council offers fortnightly recycling collection services in Boorowa, along with bins at each of its tips – services which recovered some 77 tonnes of material in 2007-2008. Council is not able to monitor the volumes and types of materials going to its landfills as there are no weighbridge facilities. Therefore a complete picture of the waste generation patterns for Boorowa Council area residents cannot be presented.
Heritage
There have been no changes to the listed heritage estate for Boorowa Council area over the past four years.
The future what does this mean for the Council?
For water
There has been an extensive use of water restrictions which have had success in holding down demand in the recent drought.
Good consistency data collection should be continued to ensure that direct comparisons between water quality over time can be continued.
For population
Along with many other jurisdictions in Australia, Boorowa Council will need to consider the impacts of an ageing population on it’s economy and infrastructure.
The composition of households has continued the trend noted in the 2004 report with an increased reduction in the number of households comprising couples with children (falling from 31.8% to 26.0%) and a consequent increase in couples without children, one parent families and lone households. Council’s Social plan is committed to addressing these issues.
For noise
The Council may wish to consider developing a system for both monitoring noise and for keeping statistics on the mechanisms for resolution or time taken by staff on resolving these noise issues. These statistics could assist the Council in further planning for resolving noise complaints especially with regard to time management and resources outcomes.
For waste management
Council’s recycling services are operating well, and it is to Council’s credit that recycling has been introduced for residents despite the economies of scale making this difficult. Accurate data collection of types and volumes of materials being sent to landfill in the Council area is desirable but this remains difficult for smaller Councils who do not have the resources or population to enable considerable expenditure on these type of facilities.
For heritage
As no information is available on the condition of heritage sites during the reporting period and little information on condition prior to the reporting period either. it would be beneficial for the Council to address these gaps to develop a future benchmark from which to work. It appears that the condition of many sites has not been updated since they were listed on the Register of the National Estate, again this could be addressed.
Council does not provide any funding for heritage assessments or assistance to owners of heritage properties for management of those properties.
