Wagga City Council 28 October 2019 Council meeting notes

Lake Albert Road Stage 2 upgrade approved

Stage 2 upgrade works along Lake Albert Road are expected to start later this year after Council approved funding towards the project.

This second stage is between Stanley Street and Kooringal Road, which follows the first stage being completed last year between Baden Powell Drive and Fay Avenue.

Funds totalling $1.66M have been allocated so the works can be completed in the 2019-20 financial year and not be spread across two financial years.

RP-4 LAKE ALBERT ROAD REHABILITATION STAGE 2 -REQUEST FOR ADDITIONAL FUNDING

Next step taken in Eunony Bridge project

The project to strengthen and widen Eunony Bridge took another step forward tonight after Council agreed to pursue contract arrangements for the upgrade.

Council has accepted the offer of BMD Constructions Pty Ltd to complete the $9.15M project.

Preliminary testing was recently completed at the bridge site in preparation for the major upgrade to this important link from the Sturt Highway to the Bomen Business Park and proposed RIFL Hub.

CONF-1 RFT2019-33 STRENGTHENING AND WIDENING EUNONY BRIDGE

Lake Albert management plan update

Council will receive an update on recent discussions with the State Government around Lake Albert and a proposal to secure water credits as part of a plan to address the lake’s low levels.

Cr Tim Koschel put a notice of motion recommending a report on the outcomes of the Plan of Management that details actions and investigations undertaken in response to the plan’s recommendations.

The update will also report on the performance of the Envirosonic ultrasound technology being trialled to control algae in the lake.

NOM-1 NOTICE OF MOTION -LAKE ALBERT

Bourke Street safety in spotlight

Options to improve safety along Bourke Street will be included in a report to Council after a Notice of Motion around one of the city’s major thoroughfares was endorsed by councillors.

Cr Dan Hayes asked for an overview of all projects being explored for Bourke Street, particularly between Fernleigh Road and Red Hill Road, with options to improve the safety and amenity of the road for pedestrians and motorists.

He said a report outlining the issues will allow Council and the community to consider significant improvements and associated costs.

NOM-2 NOTICE OF MOTION -REVIEW OF BOURKE STREET

Vote of no confidence defeated

Following a Notice of Motion put forward by Cr Tim Koschel, a vote of no confidence in Cr Vanessa Keenan was lost.

NOM-3 NOTICE OF MOTION -VOTE OF NO CONFIDENCE IN COUNCILLOR KEENAN

Pig farm development approved

Council has approved a $9M pig farm development at Matong, subject to conditions outlined in an assessment report.

The development application, lodged by Pig Improvement Company Australasia Pty Ltd (PICA), incorporates a 15,000 standard pig unit facility and associated infrastructure at 240 Flanagans Road.

Council also agreed to an amendment to ensure significant attention is given to a landscape plan including vegetative buffers.

RP-1 DA18/0408 - PIGFARM (INTENSIVE LIVESTOCK AGRICULTURE) –15,000 STANDARD PIG UNIT FACILITY AND ASSOCIATED INFRASTRUCTURE

Trial extended for algae control system

Council has agreed to extend the trial period for the Envirosonic ultrasound technology in Wagga’s Lake Albert.

Envirosonic, designed to control cyanobacteria bloom in the lake, has operated since December last year and will now proceed for a further 16-month period.

Following the extension, Council will receive a further report including recommendations about the system’s future use, based on results received over the duration of the trial period.

CONF-3 LAKE ALBERT BLUE GREEN ALGAE REMEDIATION (EXTENSION OF TRIAL)

Council financial statements audited

Council’s 2018/19 Financial Statements have been completed and recently audited by the NSW Audit Office.

The 2018/19 draft financial statements show total income from continuing operations of $154.9M and total expenses from continuing operations of $127.4M, resulting in a preliminary net operating surplus of $27.5M (including capital grants and contributions).

A NSW Audit Office representative will present the audited financial reports and auditors’ report at the 25 November 2019 Council Meeting.

RP-2 ANNUAL FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 2018/19

Assistance for local organisations and events

Council has approved the provision of $7,784.12 in financial assistance requests to 11 organisations in its budget variations to the end of September 2019.

Requests include:

• $2,200 to the Wagga Inter Church Council for “Christmas Carols in the Park 2019” at Victory Memorial Gardens on 21 December;
• $1800 to Multicultural Council of Wagga Wagga for the use of Council facilities for a number of events through the year;
• $1,077 to the Wagga Wagga Pink Stumps Committee for Bolton Park fee waiver to host a McGrath Foundation fundraiser cricket match.

RP-3 FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE REPORT AS AT 30 SEPTEMBER 2019

Roadside memorial policy developed

A new policy around roadside memorials will be placed on public exhibition before another report is taken back to Council for consideration.

The draft policy will be on exhibition for 28 days from 29 October 2019. Public submissions are invited during this time.

The policy applies to all roads and public spaces under the care and control of Council. It does not apply to the Olympic, Hume or Sturt highways.

RP-5 DRAFT NEW POLICY -POL118 -ROADSIDE MEMORIALS POLICY

Council delegation to Sister City

The Mayor, Cr Greg Conkey OAM, and General Manager Peter Thompson will lead a delegation from Wagga Wagga at the 4^th Kunming International Sister City Seminar in December.

The seminar has an education theme with an objective to strengthen exchange and cooperation between Kunming and their international sister cities on basic education, senior education and vocational education.

Charles Sturt University and Riverina Institute of TAFE representatives have been invited to join the Wagga delegation. Council has endorsed the formation of a suitable delegation travelling to Kunming for the seminar from 2-5 December this year.

RP-6 OFFICIAL INVITATION TO ATTEND 4TH KUNMING INTERNATIONAL SISTER CITY SEMINAR

Working group to report on hangar

Council has ratified a new working group to oversee a report around the processes, negotiations, costs and documentation leading up to, and after the sale of the Douglas Aerospace Hangar to Regional Express.

The members of the working group will be Councillors Greg Conkey, Dallas Tout, Rod Kendall, Paul Funnell, Kerry Pascoe and GM Peter Thompson.

RP-7 DOUGLAS AEROSPACE WORKING GROUP

Council meeting dates for 2020

Council had adopted its schedule of Ordinary Meeting dates for 2020.

There will be 21 meetings, generally scheduled for the second and fourth Monday of each month.

The first meeting next year will be Monday 20 January. NSW Local Government elections will be held on 12 September 2020.

RP-8 COUNCIL MEETING DATES JANUARY 2020 TO DECEMBER 2020

Mobile Food Vendor policy endorsed

A new policy and amended fees endorsing mobile food vendors operating in the city has been adopted by Council.

Following a trial of mobile food vendors in Wagga Wagga, the policy was placed on public exhibition and received no submissions during that period.

Council aims to have up to 10 vendors operating under the program before Christmas.

RP-9 MOBILE FOOD VENDOR - POLICY & FEE EXHIBITION

Complaints Handling Policy on exhibition

A review of Council’s Complaint Handling Policy has been undertaken in conjunction with recent ongoing process improvements, such as on-line complaints, identified responsibilities and system improvements for monitoring and reporting. The Complaints Handling Policy has been amended to ensure clarity and consistency across the complaint handling process.

A draft Complaint Handling Policy will be placed on exhibition for 28 days from 29 October inviting public submissions. Submissions will be accepted unto 10 December 2019.

RP-10 DRAFT COMPLAINT HANDLING POLICY (POL 103)

Exhibition Centre project costings approved

Council received and approved a report detailing costings of a number of projects set for the Exhibition Centre.

Those projects include:

• Construction of a permanent all-weather exit from Hiscock Drive West to Kooringal Rd;
• Improved Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) compliant ramp at the VIP gate, access widening and installation of power supply for cool rooms.
• Improvements including new carpet in corporate area, improved sound system, and men’s toilets upgrade;
• Pedestrian access bridge and overflow car parking to the east of Marshall’s Creek.

CONF-5 EXHIBITION CENTRE IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS