Wagga City Council 9 September 2019 Council meeting notes

Southern hill and more seats for McDonald’s Park

Wagga Wagga City Council will continue to work with Wagga Wagga Rugby League (WRL) to make further improvements at McDonald’s Park.

Councillors accepted WRL’s offer to construct the ground’s southern hill, install more than 2000 new seats at the facility and build a storage shed underneath the existing Country Rugby League building on Council’s behalf.

The agreement will also allow WRL to build new pathways connecting the northern and southern hills.

Councillors have also asked for a report detailing the scope and costings for the remaining projects for McDonald’s Park, approved at the 24 June 2019 Council Meeting.

• CONF-2 MCDONALD'S PARK SOUTHERN HILL AND SEATING

New lighting approved at Rawlings Park

Wagga Wagga City Council has approved Football Wagga Wagga’s (FWW) application to install sports ground lighting at Rawlings Park.

FWW was recently successful in receiving grant funding for the installation of lights on the three soccer fields located at Rawlings Park field 2.

Council acknowledged new lighting will be required to meet the sport’s high growth rate.

The project will also enable increased use of the park and help address the need for fields, particularly for training purposes.

• RP-3 RAWLINGS PARK LIGHTING

Support for Collingullie’s Crossroads Oval project

Council will contribute $10,000 to the upgrade of Crossroads Oval at Collingullie after entering into an agreement with Collingullie Glenfield Park Football Netball Club.

The funds will go towards upgrading the oval’s playing surface and irrigation system.

The club has proposed improving the surface through laser levelling, resurfacing and upgrading the oval’s sprinklers.

The major project, costing approximately $50,000, will also include an upgrade to the warm-up area’s surface.

The club recently unveiled a significant $750,000 amenities upgrade at the ground and has shown a high capacity to deliver infrastructure projects. Council contributed $190,000 towards the community facility in this project.

• RP-2 REQUEST FOR FUNDING CONTRIBUTION TO UPGRADE COLLINGULLIE OVAL

Request for report on electric vehicle

A report outlining the potential efficiencies gained through the purchase of an electric vehicle will be presented back to Council at a future meeting, with the Mayor to use Council’s electric vehicle for a trip to Sydney.

In a Notice of Motion from Cr Funnell, using the electric car for a Sydney trip would enable Council to compile data, including availability and efficiency of charging stations, any delays due to the range of the vehicle, and vehicle and servicing costs.

The areas of reporting requested will give an overall analysis of both positives and negatives that Council can then use as a benchmark for where electric vehicles can be utilised.

• NOM-1 NOTICE OF MOTION – USE OF ELECTRIC VEHICLE

Douglas Aerospace Hangar final report

Council will receive a final report that details processes, negotiations, costs and documentation leading up to, and following, the sale of the Douglas Aerospace Hangar to Regional Express.

Councillor Paul Funnell’s Notice of Motion requesting a final report into the sale of the hangar was supported by all Councillors at its 9 September Ordinary Council Meeting.

This report will be presented at an open Council Meeting.

Council will also receive a further report at the 8 October 2019 Council Meeting regarding the re-establishment of the Douglas Aerospace Review Committee (to include the original Council members for continuity) to oversee the process, which includes a terms of reference and membership for the Committee.

• NOM-2 NOTICE OF MOTION – SALE OF DOUGLAS AEROSPACE HANGAR – FINAL REPORT

Mayor attends Inland Rail Conference

Wagga Wagga Mayor Councillor Greg Conkey OAM attended the Inland Rail Conference at Toowoomba on 21-22 August 2019 and presented a report to Council highlighting key features of the multi-billion dollar project.

More than 450 delegates from across eastern NSW attended including local, state and Commonwealth government representatives as well as members from various industries connected to inland rail.

Next year’s conference will be held in Albury-Wodonga with Wagga Wagga mooted to host the conference in 2022.

• CR-1 COUNCILLOR REPORT – INLAND RAIL CONFERENCE 21-22 AUGUST 2019

Council rescinds Gifts and Benefits Policy

Councillors have agreed to rescind the Gifts and Benefits Policy as the policy’s scope and objectives are now addressed in Council’s Revised Code of Conduct.

The Gifts and Benefits Policy was first adopted by Wagga Wagga City Council in November 2007 to establish transparent guidelines for dealing with gifts and benefits.

The intention to rescind the policy was reported to Council on 29 April 2019 during consideration of the draft Code of Conduct.

• RP-5 POL 107 GIFTS AND BENEFITS POLICY - RESCISSION

Review of Council’s Procurement and Disposal Policy

Councillors have endorsed the revised Procurement and Disposal Policy after noting recommendations from the Audit, Risk and Improvement Committee.

The document will be placed on public exhibition for a period of 28 days from 14 September to 12 October 2019.

Members of the public will be invited to make submissions until 26 October 2019.

• RP-4 REVIEW OF COUNCIL’S PROCUREMENT AND DISPOSAL POLICY – POL 110