Wagga City Council 8 October 2019 Council meeting notes

Local businesses to help promote city

Wagga Wagga is a great place to do business, a recent survey has confirmed.

The findings in a recent business survey as part of an economic development study in Wagga have been approved by Council for future reference and action.

One of the key findings of the study will be immediately addressed by Council staff. A high proportion of respondents indicated they would actively encourage other businesses to move to Wagga.

Council will look to leverage this goodwill and promote local organisations which choose to do business in Wagga.

The study will be made available through Council’s website and sent to local stakeholders for their review. Council staff will utilise the information and other resources to guide the development of an economic development strategy for the region.

RP-4 BUSINESS SURVEY

Plan to help activate city’s CBD

Council has agreed to trial the Renew Australia model in the lead-up to Christmas as one way to reinvigorate Wagga Wagga’s Central Business District.

Council staff have been reviewing ways to activate the CBD and considers the Renew Australia program, which is based on the Renew Newcastle program that started in 2008, one option to do that.

Under the proposal, opportunities would be available to various businesses, such as creative micro-enterprises interested in exploring creative industries, new retail, or gallery spaces.

Eastern Riverina Arts will be involved in the trial and become an affiliate member of Renew Australia to administer a program of sourcing and co-ordinating vacant spaces.

RP-5 RENEW AUSTRALIA PROGRAM TRIAL

Farrer Road upgrade moves closer

The proposed upgrade of Farrer Road has taken another step after Council agreed to enter into a contract for the widening, design and construction of the project.

The project will provide a safe and functional road to cater for increasing traffic due to the development of residential subdivisions, and growth at Riverina Anglican College (TRAC), Charles Sturt University (CSU) and other nearby institutions.

CONF-2 RFT2020-02 FARRER ROAD WIDENING DESIGN AND CONSTRUCT

Mural removed from public art register

A mural on the amenities block at Bolton Park will be removed from Council’s Public Art Collection register.

Council agreed the artwork, Untitled by Fintan Magee, will be removed when the current amenities block makes way for a new building as part of the Bolton Park Masterplan.

The Bolton Park Amenities project will address an identified community need by replacing a building that is no longer fit for purpose and provide an inclusive facility that will meet current and future requirements.

RP-3 DEACCESSIONING OF MURAL ON BOLTON PARK AMENITIES BLOCK

Amendments to bins fees and charges

Council has agreed to place on public exhibition the proposed amendments to Council’s 2019/20 fees and charges document relating to kerbside waste replacement bins and kitchen caddies.

It is proposed fees will not be charged if: a Police event number or Statutory Declaration is provided to Council in regard to missing/stolen bins or where the damage is not at the fault of the resident; or a Statutory Declaration is provided to Council stating that a kitchen caddy is not present at a property.

The amendments will be on exhibition for a period of 28 days from 12 October until 9 November 2019. Council will receive another report after the public exhibition period.

RP-6 REPLACEMENT KERBSIDE BIN AND KITCHEN CADDY CLARIFICATION OF FEES

Hall of Fame criteria ‘clearer’

Council has endorsed a revised selection criteria for the city’s Sporting Hall of Fame.

Athletes will now become eligible for induction when they have retired from international or the highest level of competition for the particular sport (where international representation is not available).

The change aims to make the selection criteria clearer for future panels and nominators.

CONF-1 SPORTING HALL OF FAME CRITERIA