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Mark Rodda

Phone: +61 448 750 302

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25.01.2022 Dear Fellow Ratepayers and Friends I refer to the story reprinted below appearing in today’s The Northern Daily Leader and explain why I opposed the recommendation: While there are indeed disparities between what NSW and metropolitan councillors receive and big differences to councillors in other jurisdictions such as Queensland I could not support the recommendation for the following reasons: 1) Our Ratepayers are suffering the scourge of drought, fires and Corona virus with...Continue reading

25.01.2022 It’s an option, particularly during extended drought periods to provide us with the water security our residents and businesses need. No one wants is ongoing water security concerns. Somehow we need to overcome the perceptions of recycled water: CALLS for recycled water to be considered as a solution to the city's drought-induced water shortage are growing louder. Tamworth ecologist Phil Spark is backing Tamworth Regional Councillor Mark Rodda's push for recycled water, sayin...g it could be a "guaranteed" solution to the shortage. "The bottom line is that we need to be recycling water a lot more seriously," Mr Spark said. "I think it needs to be costed and given a really serious consideration. "That way we are guaranteed of an improvement out of the water situation, where as going down the track of building a new dam, we're not guaranteed of anything." Mr Spark said public perception was the biggest challenge facing those looking to capitlise on recycled water. "It's predicted to rain less, which means there will be less water to catch, so recycled water is a good option moving forward," he said. "It happens all around the world and it's a generally accepted way of being more efficient with water. "The council is concerned the residents of Tamworth don't want recycled water, but when you think about it, what's coming out of the river that they're treating now has got all the same impurities in it." Cr Rodda said there was a good case to be made for the increased use of recycled water. "We could spend $480 million on a 22 gigalitre dam, but then you need to rely upon the universe to deliver rain for it and there's no guarantee of that," Cr Rodda said. "Obviously, we've enjoyed some good rain events over the past few months, but I don't want us to get back into that position of sustained drought periods. "The people of Tamworth continue to suffer through Level 5 water restrictions and that's why I think the answer is recycled water." Tamworth MP Kevin Anderson said the use of recycled water was a matter for the council. "What I am most looking forward to is the amount of local jobs this new dam will create during construction," Mr Anderson said. "I know Tamworth Regional Council is already exploring a lot of options with recycled water and some are being put to good use. "Any further investigation into recycled water is a matter for the council." The renewed push for recycled water comes after Cr Rodda first flagged the idea with the council last year and the Namoi Unlimited Joint Organisation released a public survey into the matter in May.

23.01.2022 Good morning fellow residents, I hope you all have a nice day. Barnes Gully, Scott Road #tamworth

23.01.2022 I have been out inspecting a number of unsealed roads today. I know the current condition of many is the bane of the users and residents and I believe an indictment and embarrassment to our Council. On my behalf, I sincerely apologise for this situation particularly those residents that receive messages like I have that the road will be fixed in three months and now disappointingly it’s harvest time. I understand the frustration. I try hard to convey the message about the i...mportance to adjoining landholders of having an unsealed road fixed to a good standard free of potholes, corrugations, dangerous ruts, excessive gravel, sharp rocks and added dust nuisance etc and the importance to their farm businesses and safety of their families. I have received many calls and messages from annoyed and disappointed residents from Loomberah, Bective, Somerton, Duri, Attunga and elsewhere about their roads and I understand their concerns. If your road is below average and needs to be fixed please do not hesitate to contact me through this page, email: [email protected] or message me on: 0448 750 302. I am always keen to hear from you about any matter of concern large or small. Your servant - Mark.

23.01.2022 I am obliged to call a spade a spade. Unfortunately the combined populations of Tamworth, Kootingal and Moonbi do not count when it comes to the sale of our precious natural resources and we have seen this demonstrated in the 2017/18 and 2018/19 water years, a period of unprecedented drought, no rain or inflows yet 34% of Chaffey water left the Peel river and entered the Namoi river for customers elsewhere changing from environmental water to tradable water. The Peel Valley W...ater Sharing Plan isn’t the ogre, poor management by the government is. If you want some insight into who benefits read the first few lines of the second reading of the Water Management Amendment Act, 2014 as follows - Mr KEVIN HUMPHRIES (BarwonMinister for Natural Resources, Lands and Water, and Minister for Western NSW) [3.25 p.m.]: I move: That this bill be now read a second time. I acknowledge in the gallery Mr Mark McKenzie, the Chief Executive Officer of the NSW Irrigators' Council, and Stefanie Schulte, Economic Policy Officer, thank you for being here today... Sadly the participants in these ongoing water discussions are far too chummy to deliver an outcome of added water security for the Tamworth district. The government has been the architect of mismanagement, and their local government comrades here and elsewhere keen to shield them from scrutiny.

23.01.2022 Dear fellow Ratepayers and Friends today would have been Election Day for local government around the State, delayed by a year due to the pandemic. It has been both a pleasure and honour to serve you and your familiy and be your advocate over the last four years. We have faced a number of challenges recently no more serious than water security for our communities and now the economic and indeed mental health impacts on our residents by the pandemic. I am always aware of many ...council related issues afflicting our residents, the bread and butter issues - the quality of sealed and unsealed roads, footpaths, parks and gardens, water and sewerage etc and I am always keen to hear about your particular problem and help out where I can. Ring me anytime on 0448750302. Elections are good opportunity for renewal and I encourage any of you keen to serve your communities as a dedicated community focussed representative, now is your time to start to work toward the September 2021 election. Thanks again for your kind support which is always appreciated and enjoy your weekend - Mark.

23.01.2022 I’ve already been messaged by a few disappointed residents about the news that there will be an initial release of 62ML to quench a dry section of the Peel River downstream of Chaffey Dam. Then the daily 3ML environmental releases will commence despite there being minor flooding in some sections of the Peel River. I cannot understand the inflexibility of a system that allows this when there is moisture all around and the largest city in the region - Tamworth is on Level 5 res...trictions. As for the environment along the Peel River and particularly fauna and fish many had perished when the river was turned off late last year. If you are also perturbed by this news and the inflexibility of water management I encourage you to write to your local MP Kevin Anderson MP and advise him of your views. [email protected], [email protected] or even the Water Minister Melinda Pavey - [email protected]

22.01.2022 During the height of the drought between 2017-2019 Chaffey dam was drained of 34 billion litres that flowed down the Peel river as environmental flows measured at the Carroll gap bridge as end of system flows then into the Namoi river where it is no longer environmental water sold at 50% of the cost customers in the Peel Valley pay. With no explanation. How is this fair to residents, farmers, businesses and industries reliant on a secure water supply?

22.01.2022 My thoughts on TRC Item 8.4, 25/08/20 - water frustrations. If anything demonstrates how insignificant our Tamworth city, Kootingal and Moonbi communities are to the NSW Government it is the issue of water management. With untold negative impacts on our residents, businesses and industries. Being a safe and faithful electorate to the Government of the day has delivered no reward, otherwise we’d have some water security and confidence in water management.... No changes to the PVWSP, no changes to state instruments of water management, no inclusion of the drought of record into calculations about how much water is subsequently withheld for community use in dry times, no flexibility in so-called environmental flows, no explanation about their water releases during two years of prolonged drought where in accordance with our drought management plan restriction levels changed from level 2 to 5 in record time. A Government that denies rural NSW communities the assurances and confidence they need to emerge from drought, fires and Covid-19 as well as they possibly can. No Transparency or accountability of water management, no water register of licences and allocations that would show the people of our State who the beneficiaries of our precious water resources are; and as seen in the report when staff asked about fractured rock water in the Peel they were told it is 100% allocated. To who? If the Dungowan dam proposal is progressed there is no guarantee of water security for our communities. What the Government would guarantee is full cost recovery and some of the most expensive water charges in our State. The current Dungowan dam and assets would likely be appropriated by the State government and no compensation given for the dam infrastructure of adjoining land purchased by council on behalf of our ratepayers. The comment by the water minister that a new Dungowan dam would secure our longer-term water security is simply empty rhetoric. The maddening feature of this issue is that I can still remember the 2007 drought and the frustration of our community representatives talking to the Labor water minister of the time and seeing no satisfactory outcome as we still see no satisfactory outcomes with recent discussions with National water ministers. That was about five water ministers ago. We have no control over the pipeline from Chaffey dam, imagine the putrid water that will be expelled from it each time it is operated and in the future we’ll have no control over the Dungowan dam pipeline either if that proposal is progressed. The taxpayers of NSW should be appalled at the waste of funds on a pipeline they only want to use when the dam falls below 20%. An honest report and I fully support it as I do our TRC communities. Mark Rodda Councillor Tamworth Regional Council Mobile: 0448 750 302

21.01.2022 Unfortunately my Notice of Motion to write to the NSW Government to request that they investigate the feasibility of a pipeline/pumpsite from the Peel River near Carroll Gap bridge to Keepit Dam was not successful on this occasion. Maybe next time.

20.01.2022 Following on from the story about the economic viability of the proposed new Dungowan dam a NSW Parliamentary Inquiry will now seek a range of answers to questions many people have. This is great news.

19.01.2022 25% capacity in Chaffey Dam is a milestone for the easing of Level 5 restrictions. I hope that the good weather continues to fill it further and provide our communities with additional water security and relief.

19.01.2022 What a difference a day makes. Chaffey Dam up more than 3 billion litres. Our communities are going to have to be vigilant about our vital natural resources that are so important to the future of our residents, businesses and environment around our entire LGA.

19.01.2022 Goonoo Goonoo Road is a dangerous, dusty and embarrassing main access to Tamworth city. It’s management is confusingly and apparently reliant on a combination of both State and Commonwealth funding. In December 2018 State funds were promised for the detailed design of the Goonoo Goonoo Road upgrade, the New England Highway section between Calala Lane and Jack Smyth Drive, an initiative I applaud. Having invested funds in a shared footpath/cycleway along the route, It’s now time for our Governments to commit the funds for the actual upgrade.

18.01.2022 Water is a big issue for our Tamworth Region communities wherever they are, small and large. It is frustrating that the balance between communities, primary production, businesses and the environment has been a difficult exercise for the State government to achieve. I believe there should be an enquiry into the management of our water resources around the entire State to determine answers to how it is managed, used and who owns the licences and other important water questions. Most importantly why we are in this invidious position.

18.01.2022 In the interests of transparency. A pipeline that cost millions and will be used sparingly and only provided to attenuate for the mismanagement of Chaffey dam. UPDATE NSW Water Minister Melinda Pavey has hit back at allegations from Tamworth Regional Council that the state government has "mismanaged" the city's water.... "It is astounding the council is rallying against the government that secured millions of dollars in water infrastructure to further improve water security for Tamworth," a spokeswoman said. "The NSW Government has prioritised Tamworth through the construction of the Chaffey Dam to Dungowan pipeline and the prioritisation of the replacement of Dungowan Dam. "Water for Tamworth was carefully managed for town use and emergency infrastructure was funded, planned and constructed in record time to ensure the town didn't run out of water."

15.01.2022 Rangari Road between #Manilla and #Boggabri to finally receive funding for its sealing; a road that traverses three local government areas - #Tamworth, #Gunnedah and #Narrabri. This is currently a dangerous stretch of road and this taxpayer funded initiative should make the trip for adjoining landholders, farming communities, workers, and tourists far safer and enjoyable.

14.01.2022 Today is the 54th anniversary of the Battle of Long Tan and Vietnam Veterans Day. We remember the sacrifices and service of almost 60,000 Aussies - Lest We Forget.

12.01.2022 Tonight Tamworth Regional Council agreed to partner with the CSIRO for a trial wastewater treatment system. This is an exciting recycling initiative to trial forward osmosis/reverse osmosis technology that if successful I believe will genuinely secure Tamworth’s water future.

11.01.2022 I know announcements like this should be greeted with a good dose of euphoria however the announcement of a $480 million dam that will yield a maximum 22 gigalitres of capacity when full or $21.8 million/gigalitre actually represents the worst spend of taxpayers’ funds in recent times. Worst still, this dam’s pathetically poor yield will not secure our water future, and we’ve heard those words before when the Chaffey dam upgrade was completed in 2016 and later that year ful...l. A pipeline from Split Rock Dam or Keepit Dam to Tamworth would represent a far better spend of taxpayers’ funds and free up surplus funds to spend on other projects around our region. Even a pipeline to access the currently plentiful waters of the Great Artesian Basin pumped to Tamworth would be a fraction of what is proposed. Sadly as we have seen throughout NSW we are beholden to the way in which our precious water resources are managed or mismanaged. Nothing built will replace the need for good resource management as opposed to poor. That is what our communities have suffered and I am concerned about the future should our water resources be privatised. Meanwhile I suspect with a spend like this many projects around our region may face significant delays to attract further grant funds as these are directed to the new dam.

09.01.2022 These are just some of the questions I would love answered: 1) If the NSW Government owns the proposed new $480 million 22 Gigalitre Dungowan Dam and pipeline, what water security can the residents of Tamworth, Kootingal and Moonbi expect? 2) There has been no EIS, no cost benefit analysis and no community consultation. Why? 3) Without any changes to the instruments of water management including the water sharing plan, Water Management Act and Water Management Amendment Act, nothing will change even if Chaffey Dam fills to capacity.

08.01.2022 Rangari Road between Manilla and Boggabri is a dangerous but popular road used by landholders, farmers, workers and tourists. This was an unequivocal 2019 election promise by the Member for Tamworth to seal Rangari road. There was never ever any mention of of the 3 Councils having to provide the rest. It will be quite disappointing if it isn’t fully funded by the State government and the balance is expected to be apportioned to ratepayers in each of the LGA’s - #Tamworth #Gunnedah or #Narrabri.

07.01.2022 Winter wonderland #Tamworth Hockey Centre

07.01.2022 Happy Mother’s Day to all the hard working, loving mum’s who are the backbone of our families and communities and keep our weary World turning and especially to this workhorse who is an absolute Briton Julie Rodda xo

01.01.2022 I hope you are all enjoying your weekend. For the first time in a while our main storage dam has received a significant increase of over 700ML this last week. I hope there is more to follow.