11 June Ordinary Council Meeting notes

No change to prayer in updated Code of Meeting Practice

The prayer marking the start of a Council meeting will remain unchanged following the adoption of the updated Code of Meeting Practice.

A review of the Code of Meeting Practice was prompted by the NSW Government, with some changes set by the state and others able to be determined by the Council.

Following the public exhibition period, 275 submissions to maintain the prayer and five submissions for a change were received.

At the meeting, two speakers for maintaining the prayer and two speakers for a change addressed Councillors, followed by about an hour-and-a-half of debate.

A number of options were discussed, with Councillors ultimately maintaining the current prayer along with some updates to the code.

• RP-3 ADOPTION OF CODE OF MEETING PRACTICE

Feedback needed on draft Reconciliation Action Plan

Council’s draft Reconciliation Action Plan will be placed on public exhibition until 10 July.

The plan is a strategic document that outlines the organisation’s commitment to our First Nations Peoples towards reconciliation.

Council’s draft plan has been reviewed and benchmarked by Reconciliation Australia to ensure it aligns with national best practice standards in the planning and development of a RAP.

It has been developed in consultation with Wiradjuri and community Elders and Aboriginal community members.

• RP-5 WAGGA WAGGA CITY COUNCIL RECONCILIATION ACTION PLAN

Food van trial extended until August

Mobile food vendors can continue to operate in the city as part of a trial until 15 August.

The trial’s initial period was from 1 January to 30 May, with the feedback from the operators, local businesses and community to be assessed to allow Council to make a long-term decision on mobile food vendors.

Some of the mobile food vehicle operators had experienced success and asked Council if it was possible to keep operating after 30 May until the feedback was assessed.

Mayor Greg Conkey was able to extend the trial in the short term under the Local Government Act, with Councillors tonight formally voting to extend the trial until 15 August.

A report will be presented to Council by this time to decide on whether mobile food vendors can operate permanently.

• RP-6 MOBILE FOOD VENDING TRIAL EXTENSION

Plan to focus on improving water safety

Council has adopted the Wagga Wagga Inland Water Safety Management Plan, which includes a number recommendations such as reviewing signage and investigating waterway rescue cabinets.

The plan outlines the important contribution Council can make by implementing a range of water safety initiatives related to waterway reserves under Council’s management.

Collaboration with other agencies and the community

It also focuses on a cohesive approach to support and reinforce the initiatives of the SES and Royal Lifesaving Australia, who has supported the recommendations in the plan.

• RP-1 WAGGA WAGGA INLAND WATER SAFETY MANAGEMENT PLAN

Council commended for focus on developing small business

Mayor Greg Conkey OAM reported back to Council about the recent Small Business Friendly Councils Conference held in Sydney by the Small Business Commissioner last month.

Wagga Wagga was one of 69 NSW councils to join business leaders, mayors and experts from across the country to plan and discuss strategies to stimulate local economies.

Council was presented with a plaque to recognise its commitment to the Small Business Friendly Councils initiative and the Easy to do Business initiative.

• CR-1 SMALL BUSINESS FRIENDLY COUNCILS CONFERENCE MAY 2019

Cr Kendall elected as Acting Deputy Mayor from 2 to 14 September

Councillor Rod Kendall will act as Deputy Mayor from 2 to 14 September.

Both the Mayor Greg Conkey OAM and Deputy Mayor Dallas Tout are part of the official delegation to visit Nordlingen, which will leave a vacancy in the position of Mayor and Deputy Mayor.

The visit to Wagga Wagga’s Sister City, Nordlingen, will include attending the Historisches Stadtmauerfest 2019 “Historic Wall Festival”.

• MM-1 MAYORAL MINUTE - APPOINTMENT OF ACTING DEPUTY MAYOR