Summary of Council's 22 February Ordinary Meeting
Published: 22 Feb 2021 8:21pm
Equex pedestrian safety
Council will receive a report into improving pedestrian movements surrounding the Equex Centre.
A notice of motion from Cr Dan Hayes said concerns have been raised around poor pedestrian access, which has been highlighted on netball competition days during the pandemic.
- NOM-1 NOTICE OF MOTION - PEDESTRIAN ACCESS AROUND EQUEX CENTRE
Affordable and social housing
A focus on more affordable housing models in Wagga Wagga will be detailed in a report back to Council.
Council agreed to receive the report after a notice of motion from Cr Dan Hayes said it may help to identify and implement new social and affordable housing opportunities.
It will also outline any current strategies to provide and promote affordable housing to meet the needs of the community.
- NOM-2 NOTICE OF MOTION - AFFORDABLE HOUSING MODELS
Lakesend Place DA approved
Council has approved a development application for the construction of a single storey dwelling with attached garage and shed, at 5 Lakesend Place, Lake Albert.
One objection was received in relationship to the proposed 1 metre setback of the proposed shed.
- RP-1 DA20/0741 - DWELLING WITH ATTACHED GARAGE AND SHED
Council sponsorships approved
A community event, a workshop series and a short film production have successfully applied for almost $22K in Council sponsorship under the COVID-19 Fast Track Event Sponsorship Program.
- Art Starts Here Creative Village Workshops ($7,818)
A traveling silk scarf marbling creative workshop to be held in Mangoplah, Uranquinty, Collingullie, Oura, Ladysmith and Tarcutta between 16 and 19 March 2021.
- Ladysmith Railway Centenary Celebrations ($4,000)
A celebration of the centenary of the first official railway line from Ladysmith to Tumbarumba. The community event will include a vintage car display, vintage movie footage, market stalls, barbeque as well as steam engine, trike, blacksmith and other relevant displays.
- The Drive Short Film ($10,000)
A 12-minute short film and proof of concept for a feature film, ‘The Drive’. The short film will be shot in Wagga Wagga and the surrounding region between 15 and 17 March.
- RP-2 COVID-19 FAST TRACK EVENTS SPONSORSHIP
Airport hangar agreement
Council has agreed to new sub-lease arrangements with Rex Investments Pty Ltd around Airport Hangar Site 140 (Douglas Space Aerospace Hangar) at the Wagga Wagga facility.
- RP-3 AIRPORT HANGAR SITE 140
Funding Reserve changes
Council has approved the proposed eligibility criteria and process for the allocation of funds from the Community Works Reserve.
The Reserve was established in 2017 and is funded from a levy on capital works project budgets. The first $50K goes to the Public Art Reserve to fund items contained within the Public Art Program, and the balance goes to the Community Works Reserve.
An annual amount will be available for all organisations within the Local Government Area to make submissions for funding for any capital works via an annual request process.
- RP-4 COMMUNITY WORKS RESERVE - ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
Financial Performance Report update
A number of updates to projects have been provided in the latest Financial Performance Report budget variations. These include:
- RFS sheds: The Gap and Umbango
The Rural Fire Service (RFS) has requested budgets for the Gap Rural Fire Service (RFS) Shed Construction and Umbango RFS Shed Construction totalling $330K for the two sheds.
The Gap RFS Shed Construction budget of $150K involves the construction of a new single bay RFS shed and driveway off the Gap Hall to Downside Road.
The Umbango RFS Shed Construction budget of $180K involves the construction of a new single bay RFS shed with a toilet and a new approach road to the shed from Wattle Vale Road.
Council will manage the two projects with the expenditure incurred to be reimbursed by the RFS at the end of the project. The project will be phased over two financial years with $220K allocated in 2020/21 and $110K allocated in 2021/22.
- Removal of soil at airport
The Federal Government has engaged Council to excavate approximately 3,000 tonnes of varying levels of Per and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) contaminated soils from Taxiway A North at the Wagga Wagga Airport and transport the soil to Gregadoo Waste Management Centre.
The Federal Government will reimburse Council for the $936K in costs associated with the PFAS removal.
- Project funding for Civic Theatre
Council secured $18K in Federal Government grant funds to support the Civic Theatre with the purchase of sound and lighting equipment.
The Cultural Plan recommends that Council create a Live Music and Events Kit containing the essential public address system and lighting gear needed for a small concert in one of the city’s park stages, sports fields or amphitheatres.
The kit will be made available to a set number of applicants each year, accompanied by a technician who can set up, operate and maintain the equipment. This brings the total project budget to $30K, with $12K previously approved during the 2020/21 budget process.
- Museum project update
Construction on the $5.2M Botanic Gardens Museum Site Redevelopment Project has been deferred to 2021/22 due to delays involved in the procurement process.
- Focus on emerging Wiradjuri artists
Renowned Wiradjuri artist Lorraine Connelly-Northey will deliver an 8-week program from 20 April to 9 June 2021 at the Wagga Wagga Art Gallery, working with 18-28 year old Wiradjuri and First Nations emerging artists who live in Wagga Wagga.
This program is in line with the Cultural Plan 2020-2030 to present and promote Wiradjuri and First Nations art in cultural facilities.
It is proposed to fund the program from existing Social Planning and Cultural Programming budgets.
- Funding put to road redesign
Council will re-allocate $94K towards the redesign of Old Narrandera Road from the Olympic Highway to Pine Gully Road.
The funds were allocated to the Old Narrandera Road/Olympic Highway Intersection which is owned by Transport NSW, and therefore Council is not required to contribute to the upcoming intersection treatment.
- Anderson Oval amenities upgrade
Council’s Community Amenities recurrent program has Anderson Oval amenities scheduled for completion this financial year with a total project budget of $215K.
Additional funds are required for the completion of the required refurbishment of the existing changerooms and toilets.
These additional funds will be funded from within the existing Community Amenities recurrent program in future years to bring the total budget for Anderson Oval to $350K.
The design of the amenities, estimated at $30K, for Anderson Oval is to be completed in 2020/21 with the remaining budget to be deferred and construction to be completed in 2021/22.
- RP-5 FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE REPORT AS AT 31 JANUARY 2021
Financial assistance requests
Council has waived a number of fees totalling $1,206 for various organisations and events in the community.
- Tarcutta Soldiers Memorial Hall $414: Sewer fees at hall.
- Cricket Wagga $497: Ground fees for charity matches.
- Claudia Barton $195 (max): Oasis entry for Starlight Super Swim.
- South Wagga Apex Club $100: Booking fee for fisherama.
- RP-6 SECTION 356 REQUESTS FOR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE
Oasis gas supply contract
Councillors have endorsed the General Manager to enter in to a contract for the supply of natural gas at the Oasis Regional Aquatic Centre.
The current contract for the supply of natural gas to the Oasis expires on 31 March 2021
- RP-7 OASIS GAS SUPPLY CONTRACT
Airport security equipment funding
Council has agreed to accept Federal Government grant funding for the purchase and installation of security equipment at Wagga Wagga Airport.
Council will also request to extend the timeframes for installing and bringing into operation the new security screening equipment, therefore allowing Council time to negotiate and consider the outcomes of the Infrastructure Terminal Expansion grant.
- CONF-1 AIRPORT - EQUIPMENT GRANT OFFER NEW SECURITY SCREENING
Airport hangar sub-leases
Council has agreed to consent to the assignment of the sub-lease of hangars between Council and two third parties at Wagga Wagga Airport.
The agreement is for Hangar site 20 (Intellifleet) and Hangar site 13 (Anthony Middleton).
- CONF-2 AIRPORT SUB-LEASE HANGAR SITE 20 & CONF-3 AIRPORT SUB-LEASE HANGER SITE 13