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Council

Summary of Council's 29 November 2021 Ordinary Meeting

Published: 30 Nov 2021 12:17pm

State planning measures

Council has endorsed NSW Government integrating measures in its Flood Planning Package as part of the NSW state planning system.

This includes the introduction of new clauses into the Standard Instrument Local Environmental Plan.

  • RP-1 STANDARD INSTRUMENT LOCAL ENVIRONMENTAL PLAN – FLOOD PLANNING CLAUSES

Eunony Valley projects funding

Council has endorsed $98,464.55 in funding for eligible projects under the Eunony Valley Greening Fund (EVGF).

Spark Infrastructure, in partnership with Westpac, has established a community fund in which $1 million is invested into the local community over the first 10 years of operation of its solar farm.

As part of the community fund, Spark entered into a funding partnership agreement with Council where it will provide $350,000 to undertake revegetation programs to enhance biodiversity in the proximity of the Bomen precinct.

This includes a revegetation program for Eunony Valley residents through the EVGF. The EVGF is a community fund of $100,000 made available to support landholders in the eligible area to deliver native tree planting projects that will help address the impact of climate change and promote biodiversity.

The proposed planting projects will also enhance visual amenity by providing screening of the Bomen Solar Farm.

The remaining $1,545.45 will be used by Council for further plantings at Bomen, an initiative confirmed with Spark.

  • RP-2 EUNONY VALLEY GREENING FUNDS

Sponsorship for local events

Four major local events have been approved for sponsorship funding through the COVID-19 Fast Track Events program second round.

The organisers and their approved events are: Southern District Racing Association’s Country Championships Day, Bidgee Theatre Production’s Mamma Mia, the 2022 Stone the Crows Festival and the 2022 Wagga Wagga Mardi Gras.

The total amount of funding is $53,500 across the four events which are expected to attract more than 8,500 visitors to the city.

  • RP-3 COVID-19 FAST TRACK EVENTS SPONSORSHIP

Lake Albert water licence update

A report to Council has provided on update on the Lake Albert Special Purpose Access Licence agreement with the NSW Government.

The NSW Government is progressing the agreement with the Minister currently awaiting the draft legislation from Parliamentary Counsel. Once this is finalised the change to the regulation will be made to record the Wagga Wagga Lake Albert Special Purpose Access Licence in the regulations which is an essential step before the licence can be issued.

Council is planning to build a pipeline to pump water from the Murrumbidgee River in to the lake and continues to pursue funding opportunities from the State and Federal governments to assist with this project.

  • RP-4 LAKE ALBERT - SPECIAL PURPOSE ACCESS LICENCE UPDATE

Financial statements endorsed

The Audit Reports for the 2020/21 Financial Statements were presented in accordance with section 419(1) of the Local Government Act 1993.

Public submissions on the audited financial statements will stay open until Monday 6 December 2021. A further report will go back to Council if any submissions are received.

  • RP-5 PRESENTATION OF THE 2020/21 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Investment Policy adopted

Council adopted the draft POL 075 – Investment Policy. There were no submissions received during the recent exhibition period.

  • RP-6 POL 075 - INVESTMENT POLICY

Proposed fees for complex lighting

A report to Council has proposed to add a number of new lighting fees for 2021/22 for the Wagga Wagga Multi Sports Cycling Complex which will be available for use early in the new year.

Public submissions will be open until 7 January 2022.

  • RP-7 PROPOSED NEW FEES AND CHARGES FOR 2021/22

Budget variations approved

Council has approved the proposed 2021/22 budget variations for the month ended 31 October 2021, and the proposed budget variations to the 2021/22 Long Term Financial Plan Capital Works Program including future year timing adjustments.

Operating Budget Variations for 31 October 2021 include:

* Chain of Responsibility Program & Training - $60K

* External & Internal Loan Repayments – $461K

* Cemetery Booking System Module - $10K

* NSW RFS, Fire & Emergency Contributions - ($284K)

* Wiradjuri Golf Centre Demolition - $50K

* Main City Levee Legal Costs + Remediation - $75K

  • RP-8 FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE REPORT AS AT 31 OCTOBER 2021

Requests for financial assistance

Two requests for financial assistance were approved:

*Riverina Conservatorium of Music: $105 for waiving of venue fee.

*Department of Communities and Justice: $6,219 for tip fees and Council support in Ashmont social housing clean-up.

  • RP-9 SECTION 356 REQUESTS FOR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE

Changes to Child Safe Policy

Amendments to the former Child Protection Policy (POL 083) (now titled Child Safe Policy) were endorsed by Council.

There were no public submissions received during the exhibition period for POL 083 – Child Safe Policy.

  • RP-10 POL 083 - CHILD SAFE POLICY

End of Term Report outlines progress

Council has endorsed an End of Term Report which provides a summary of the progress on the implementation and effectiveness of the Community Strategic Plan 2040 and focuses on the period 1 July 2016 through to 30 June 2021.

  • RP-11 INTEGRATED PLANNING AND REPORTING (IP&R) - END OF TERM REPORT

Proposed change to Gregadoo fee

A proposed amendment to the existing Gregadoo Facilities Access Fee was approved to be placed on public exhibition for community feedback prior to determination.

The fee is provided for commercial businesses located at the Gregadoo Waste Management Centre. The public exhibition period will run from 30 November 2021 to 7 January 2022.

  • RP-12 GREGADOO WASTE MANAGEMENT CENTRE - DRAFT ACCESS FEE

Conduct of conduct report

Council has endorsed a report to the Office of Local Government NSW containing statistics on code of conduct complaints about Councillors and the General Manager.

The reporting period is between 1 September 2020 to 31 August 2021. The total number of complaints received in the period about Councillors and the General Manager under the code of conduct was 10.

The total number of complaints finalised in the period about Councillors and the GM under the code of conduct was 13.

To date, current staff resourcing costs dealing with code of conduct complaints for the same period have been estimated at $27,000. The costs paid during the reporting period in engaging a Conduct Reviewer from Council’s Code of Conduct Panel is $41,000.

  • RP-13 CODE OF CONDUCT STATISTICS

Land sale negotiations

Council endorsed the progress of negotiations for the sale of commercial land in Tasman Road.

  • CONF-MM-1 NEGOTIATIONS FOR THE SALE OF COMMERCIAL LAND – TASMAN ROAD

Hangar sub-leases

Council supported entering into two new sub-leases between Council and third parties for Hangar Sites 9 & 10 within the Light Aircraft Precinct at Wagga Wagga Airport.

  • CONF-1 AIRPORT SUB-LEASES – LIGHT AIRCRAFT PRECINCT HANGAR SITES 9-10