Wagga Wagga City Council 11 May Ordinary Meeting

Support for emergency water allocation

Council has agreed to lobby the NSW State Government for emergency allocation of water in the southern basin after a Notice of Motion was discussed at tonight’s meeting.

The motion put by Cr Paul Funnell endorses Council making representation to the Premier, Deputy Premier and Minister for Water to “immediately activate an emergency allocation of water in the Southern Basin for food and fodder production in consultation with the relevant agricultural bodies”.

It was also agreed to write to all Local Government Areas in NSW and the Office of Local Government requesting they make representation in alliance with Council’s position.

The motion also called on Council to make representation to the NSW Government calling for a national Royal Commission into the Murray Darling Basin Plan (MDBP), and also called for a water asset register to be created.

NOM-1 NOTICE OF MOTION - EMERGENCY ALLOCATION OF WATER IN THE SOUTHERN BASIN

Request for Riverina Water dividend

A Mayoral Minute requesting Riverina Water County Council to pay a one-off dividend from its 2018/19 year result to its four constituent councils has been deferred to the 25 May Ordinary Council Meeting.

MM-1 – RIVERINA WATER DIVIDEND

Central Wagga DA approved

Council has approved a development application at a central Wagga property.

The application for the demolition of a garage, a new double garage with upper floor loft area, internal alterations to dwelling and boundary wall to rear at 21 Fox Street will be subject to conditions outlined in an assessment report.

RP-1 DA20/0009 - DEMOLITION OF GARAGE, NEW DOUBLE GARAGE WITH UPPER FLOOR LOFT AREA, INTERNAL ALTERATIONS TO DWELLING AND BOUNDARY WALL TO REAR AT 21 FOX STREET, WAGGA WAGGA, LOT A DP 175176

Emergency Recovery grant for villages

Council has agreed to accept $100,000 in NSW Emergency Recovery grant funding for communities affected in the bushfires crisis. It is proposed the funding be split between community groups in the villages of Tarcutta, Humula, and Oberne to implement upgrades of community facilities.

The funding will go towards:

Tarcutta: construction of a multipurpose structure overlooking the playground in the park. Humula: Funding will be shared between the three main community groups in the village - the primary school, the golf club and the sports club.

Oberne: Community hall upgrade.

RP-2 NSW EMERGENCY RECOVERY GRANTS

Fee and charge amendments

Council has agreed to implement a number of fee and charge amendments after a public exhibition period following the 30 March Ordinary Meeting.

The waivers and reductions were approved for a period up to 30 June 2020, excluding the City Development fees (charges 0889-0899) and Passenger Service Charges (numbers 0127-0131).

RP-3 AMENDMENT TO COUNCIL'S FEES AND CHARGES

Lake Albert improvement works approved

Council agreed to partner with the Lake Albert Community Group to complete a number of projects at the waterway while water levels remain low.

Vegetation growth at the northern and southern ends of the lake has been approved for removal by the State Government whilst extensions and repairs to the six boat ramps around the lake was also given the go-ahead.

The  community group, which includes an engineer and professional concreter, will project manage and deliver the boat ramp upgrades.

Council will contribute $19,158 of the estimated $22,158 material costs and waive the waste management centre fees associated with removing any spoil from the site.

The Wagga Wagga Sailing Club will contribute the remaining $3,000 of materials funding with the machinery and labour, estimated at $15,155, to be contributed by the community group and local businesses.

The removal of regrowth vegetation has been approved by the Department of Primary Industries-Fisheries which required a Review of Environmental Factors (REF) permit to proceed.

It is proposed to remove regrowth saplings up to two metres high, using machinery to clear the vegetation below ground level to ensure that no tree stubs are left submerged in the water which could create a hazard when the lake refills.

The estimated cost of completing the vegetation removal works future works is $21,500 (excluding disposal costs).

RP-5 LAKE ALBERT VEGETATION REMOVAL AND BOAT RAMP EXTENSION

Rates payment arrangement

Council has agreed to enter into a payment arrangement for a ratepayer due to the impact of the pandemic.

CONF-1 REQUEST FOR PAYMENT ARRANGEMENTS DUE TO COVID-19 IMPACT

Contract for GPS system

Council has agreed to accept an offer from Navman Wireless Australia Pty Ltd (trading as Teletrac Navman) for the supply of a Telematics Global Positioning System for $408,040 excluding GST.

CONF-2 RFT2020-19 SUPPLY OF A TELEMATICS GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM