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Bucketts Radio Celebrates 10 years
Thursday 13 Jun, 2019Bucketts Radio is Gloucester’s community radio station and is celebrating 10 years of continuous broadcasting.
In 2005, a small but dedicated group of radio enthusiasts banded together and started a bid to gain a Community Broadcast licence for Gloucester. It took a few years but finally on 1st June 2009 Gloucester Broadcasters Association Inc began broadcasting on 104.1FM on a temporary licence. Volunteers wrangled together some bits and pieces of broadcast equipment and began broadcasting from studios in Gloucester's Majestic Arcade building. Now, as of 1st June 2019, Bucketts Radio have gained their 11th consecutive yearly broadcast licence. Still broadcasting from the Majestic Arcade and with 16 current volunteers, Bucketts Radio have continued to renew and improve equipment as finances allow. Over the years approximately 100 volunteers have participated at Bucketts Radio.
"We are truly community, because we are run by locals and supported entirely by the community." says President of Bucketts Radio, Shayne Holstein. For the past ten years Bucketts Radio has been broadcasting on the frequency 104.1FM providing entertainment, information, work experience and volunteering opportunities, as well as providing very affordable sponsorship advertising opportunities for local business and community groups. "It also helps to promote our beautiful town with visitors." says Shayne.
In order for Bucketts Radio to continue broadcasting it needs the support of the community in a number of ways. Bucketts Radio is seeking listeners, whether by FM radio or on the internet via the website www.buckettsradio.com.au. The website also has a programme guide with information about each program that goes to air. Support in the form of membership and donations is also necessary for the continuation of the broadcast. For those more adventurous, Bucketts Radio is seeking those who can offer their time and skills in the way of volunteering in a number of capacities, or through business sponsorship, which starts at a low $5 per week.
Bucketts Radio has a number of voluntary positions available, which give people the opportunity to serve the community of Gloucester. "Some of the benefits of volunteering is that you get to meet people, gain new skills or work experience, it looks good on your resume, it’s fun, you get to share your skills with and help others, you work as part of a team and listen to the music you love." says Mr Holstein.
To celebrate 10 years, Bucketts Radio is holding an Aussie BBQ in Billabong Park for it's supporters on Saturday 22nd June, from 12midday.
Bucketts Radio: "In our TENTH year!"
Thursday 31 May, 2018Bucketts Radio is Gloucester’s only Community radio station. Community Radio means that the station is local and is run by locals and supported by the community. For the past nine years Bucketts Radio have been broadcasting on the frequency 104.1FM. It has been able to provide entertainment, information, work experience and volunteering opportunities as well as providing very affordable advertising for local business and community groups. It also helps to promote our beautiful town with visitors.
On Friday 1st June Bucketts Radio will continue to broadcast on it’s 10th consecutive yearly broadcast licence.
In order for Bucketts Radio to continue broadcasting it needs to support of the community in a number of ways. Firstly, by listening. You can find the programme guide on the website www.buckettsradio.com.au. Support in the form of membership and donations, your valuable time and skills in the way of volunteering in a number of capacities, and through business sponsorship advertising which starts at a low $5 per week.
Bucketts Radio has a number of voluntary positions available, which give you the opportunity to serve the community of Gloucester. Some of the benefits of volunteering is that you get to meet people, gain new skills or work experience, it looks good on your resume, it’s fun, you get to share your skills with and help others, work as part of a team and listen to the music you love.
The studios are located in the Majestic Arcarde in the main street of Gloucester.
ROCKY HILL - APPEALS AGAINST REFUSAL
Friday 16 Feb, 2018Gloucester Resources Limited has appealed against the refusal of its development application for the Rocky Hill Coal Mine. Stratford Coal Pty Limited has appealed against the refusal of its application to modify the development consent for the Stratford Extension Project. The two appeals are related because the modifications to the Stratford Extension Project were to coal from the Rocky Hill Coal Mine to be processed and loaded onto rail at Stratford Coal Mine. In these appeals, the Court becomes the consent authority and re-determines the planning applications.
The Hearing
The appeals will be heard together on 13 to 31 August 2018. Most of the hearing will be conducted at the Land and Environment Court, 225 Macquarie Street, Sydney. The Court will also attend the site and surrounding areas during the hearing. Arrangements for this will be finalised shortly before the hearing.
Options for objector involvement
Objectors to the planning applications have the following options in relation to the appeals: 1. Apply to the Court to be heard as if you are a party to the appeal. If you wish to exercise this right, you must apply in writing to the Land and Environment Court within 28 days of this letter (section 97A of the Act). 2. Give oral evidence at the hearing. See further details below.
2 3. Attend the hearing as an observer. There is no need to notify me if you wish to attend as an observer, the hearing will be open to the public. 4. Have no further involvement.
Giving oral evidence at the hearing
There will be an opportunity for objectors to give evidence at the hearing, either in Gloucester or in Sydney. If you wish to give evidence, please send an expression of interest, including the following information: • Your contact details (email, phone number, home address); • Whether you represent any other person or group; and • The topic (e.g. traffic, air quality, biodiversity) that you wish to address. Please send your expression of interest by email to legalservices@planning.nsw.gov.au with “Rocky Hill Coal Mine” in the subject heading by 30 June 2018. I will contact you after that date to make arrangements.
Updates Updates and further information about the appeals will be placed on the Department of Planning and Environment website at this address:
http://majorprojects.planning.nsw.gov.au/index.pl?action=view_job&job_id=5156.
The Final Decision - Rocky Hill Extension
Friday 15 Dec, 2017The Planning Assessment Commission has decided to refuse consent to the State significant development application by Gloucester Resources Limited for the Rocky Hill Coal Project, and the modification application from Yancoal to amend the development consent (SSD 4966) for their Stratford Extension Project at their Stratford Mining Complex.
Click this link to see the summary of the decision: NSW Planning Assessment Commission - Summary Fact Sheet
Voices of Community Energy Podcast
Thursday 11 May, 2017"Voices of Community Energy" recently came to Gloucester and interviewed Cam Laurie, James Hooke, Dianne Montague and Anna Burley about the ups and downs that Gloucester, like many other small towns, had been through with industries growing and declining over the years. These ups and downs have brought challenges and benefits at the same time. Recently, proposed coal and gas mining in the valley of Gloucester divided the town but now it’s community energy which is promising to build bridges and keep the community together. Download this podcast, and visit the facebook page to learn more about Community Energy https://www.facebook.com/voce.net.au.
The full podcast is also available for download here in 4 parts:
Working to secure water supplies for the future
Wednesday 26 Apr, 2017MidCoast Water's Operational Plan will deliver on a firm commitment to provide quality water and sewer services to the people of the MidCoast region by moving on important projects during the 2017-18 year.
Administrator of MidCoast Water, John Turner said the coming year will see MidCoast Water invest in progressing the construction of a second water scheme for the Manning and Great Lakes communities as well as undertaking required water and sewer maintenance projects.
Mr Turner said a focus on the delivery of quality services will remain at the forefront of MidCoast Water’s future, regardless of any change to the organisation’s governance structure.
“Change is clearly imminent for MidCoast Water, with the NSW State Government currently considering a proposal to dissolve MidCoast County Council and transfer its assets, liabilities and functions to MidCoast Council,” Mr Turner said in presenting the organisation’s operational plan for 2017-18 to the community.
General Manager of MidCoast Water, Ken Gouldthorp said a major focus for MidCoast Water will be the construction of the Nabiac Water Treatment Plant, a major component of the Nabiac Inland Dune Aquifer Water Supply System. This project is designed to provide an alternative water source to the 36,000 Manning and Great Lakes customers currently reliant on the Manning River for their water supply. A sum of $11.3 million has been allocated in the 2017-18 financial year for the project.
“Our focus on maintenance will continue, with a $2.8 million proposed allocation to our ongoing program to renew water and sewer mains across our service area,” Mr Gouldthorp added.
“We will also begin investigating the replacement of the Gloucester Sewage Treatment Plant, with $400,000 allocated to this and a sum of $500,000 has been earmarked for proceeding to design stage for the Gloucester water network renewal.”
Planning funds have been proposed to investigate an upgrade of the sewer network at Tea Gardens, and looking at the options for an upgrade to the Bootawa Dam spillway.
“A number of other important activities will also be undertaken including audits on our drinking water quality management system to ensure we are continually improving on our delivery to our community,” Mr Gouldthorp added.
With electricity one of the major costs for the organisation, coming in at approximately $3 million per year, Mr Gouldthorp said there will be a continued focus on energy efficiency.
“Electricity prices are a major cost for us and increasing electricity prices places pressure on the prices we have to charge our community for water and sewer services.”
MidCoast Water proposes to introduce limited increases to rates and charges for the 2017-18 year, with the average bill (for customers receiving both water and sewer services) increasing 6.3 per cent.
The proposed new water charges, from July 1, will be $3.28 per kilolitre (thousand litres) for the first 50 kilolitres per quarter. Water usage above 50 kilolitres per quarter will be charged at $3.66 per kilolitre.
The average customer will experience a $20.25 per quarter increase in their water access and charges, however high water usage customers could face larger increases.
“While there is an increase on last year’s prices, for the average customer receiving both water and sewer services it equates to about $1.55 per week,” Mr Gouldthorp said.
Community encouraged to have their say
Mr Turner said members of the community are encouraged to have their say on MidCoast Water’s draft operational plan and budget by making a submission during the formal public exhibition period.
The draft operational plan and budget are currently on display at MidCoast Water customer service centres in Muldoon Street, Taree and Breese Parade Forster and the MidCoast Council chambers in King Street, Gloucester as well as on the MidCoast Water website www.midcoastwater.com.au
Submissions from the general community are welcome, and will be accepted until 5pm on Thursday May 18, 2017.