Mayor ’ s Library Fine Amnesty aims to fight hunger
The Hills Shire Library Service will waive fines for overdue library books in exchange for non-perishable food to support those who need a helping hand this Christmas .
The Mayor ’ s Library Fine Amnesty will run until Friday , 16 December . During this time , Hills Shire library members are encouraged to return their late books and bring a donation of non-perishable food to their local library branch at either Castle Hill , Rouse Hill , Dural or Baulkham Hills .
Donations will be given to Anglicare for their Mobile Community Pantry , which provides grocery items at a very low cost to help those stretch the budget further . The Mobile Community Pantry is run in partnership with the Holy Trinity Anglican Church in Baulkham Hills and happens on a fortnightly basis .
“ It is wonderful to see overdue library fees waived in exchange for nonperishable food items to help support our residents over the Christmas period ,” Mayor of The Hills Shire , Dr Peter Gangemi said .
“ The Hills Shire is a very generous community and I know that people and library members will get behind this program , especially as the cost of living continues to rise and more people and families rely on this service .
“ I encourage everyone to please give generously and let ’ s get our overdue library books back on our shelves ,” Mayor Gangemi added .
Anglicare have supplied a list of suitable items that can be donated as part of the initiative , including :
• Christmas cake or pudding ( 500g or 700g )
• Tinned ham or chunky soup ( 450g )
• Tinned salmon or tuna ( 415g )
• Tea ( 100pk ) or coffee ( 100g )
• Packet of biscuits ( no chocolate biscuits )
• Dried pasta ( 500g )
• Pasta sauce
• Long-life milk
• Long-life custard
• Tinned fruit and vegetables ( 425g )
• Jam ( 500g ) Library members can return their overdue library items through the returns chute during library branch opening hours . Non-perishable food items can then be placed in the box provided . Members should also present their library card to staff so that their fines can be wiped .
For further information on the program , or how to donate , visit The Hills Shire Library Service website : www . thehills . nsw . gov . au / Library / Library-Services .
New opportunity to provide feedback on Warragamba Dam proposal
The NSW Department of Planning and Environment is now seeking further community input on the proposal to raise Warragamba Dam wall , with the release of WaterNSW ’ s Response to Submissions and a Preferred Infrastructure Report .
A spokesperson for the department said that it requested WaterNSW provide a Preferred Infrastructure Report , which details further information and any changes on the proposal in response to matters raised during the last consultation period in 2021 .
“ The community can lodge submissions up until midnight Monday 12 December , and then WaterNSW will provide a second Response to Submissions Report ,” the spokesperson said .
“ Once it receives WaterNSW ’ s response , the department will undertake an assessment of the proposal , before providing its final report and recommendation to the Minister for Planning and Minister for Homes , who will be responsible for making the final decision .” The proposal includes raising the dam wall by 14 metres , to temporarily store floodwaters upstream , and release them in a controlled manner .
The Department of Planning and Environment will assess the proposal against the requirements of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 and other legislation , while Commonwealth approval would also be required under the Environment Protection and
Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 , in order for the project to proceed . The proposal was declared Critical State Significant Infrastructure last month .
To read the proposal and lodge a submission by midnight Monday , 12 December 2022 , visit Warragamba Dam Raising | Planning Portal - Department of Planning and Environment ( nsw . gov . au ).
THE HILLS INDEPENDENT theindependentmagazine . com . au ISSUE 90 // DECEMBER 2022 5