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Council

Summary of Council’s 17 October 2022 Ordinary Meeting

Published: 18 Oct 2022 10:07am

Accounting treatment of Rural Fire Service assets

Council agreed to support the local government campaign on the financial accounting treatment of Rural Fire Service (RFS) mobile assets known as the ‘Red Fleet’.

Council agreed to write to the relevant state government members, ministers and shadow ministers objecting to the NSW Government’s determination that RFS assets are the property of councils and must be recorded in each council’s financial statements, with councils required to absorb all depreciation costs.

MM-1 MAYORAL MINUTE - ACCOUNTING TREATMENT OF RURAL FIRE SERVICE ('RED FLEET') ASSETS

Submission period for major developments

Council agreed to put the following motion to the Local Government NSW conference commencing 23 October 2022:

That LGNSW advocate to the NSW state government that the current period of 28 days during which submissions must be made on state significant development and other major development projects be extended to 90 days.

MM-2 MAYORAL MINUTE - LATE LGNSW CONFERENCE MOTION - SUBMISSION PERIOD FOR MAJOR DEVELOPMENTS

Electric Vehicle infrastructure

Council requested that the General Manager write to national fuel providers and local independent fuel retailers to request consideration of Wagga Wagga sites for electric vehicle fast charging options.

The General Manager will also contact relevant local businesses to encourage uptake of NSW Government funding for destination chargers, and request a report outlining partnership options with fast charging companies to provide EV fast-chargers in Wagga Wagga and potentially in our villages on highway locations.

NOM-1 NOTICE OF MOTION - ELECTRIC VEHICLE INFRASTRUCTURE IN THE WAGGA WAGGA LGA

Regional bank closures

Council resolved to write to relevant Federal Ministers expressing Council’s concern about ongoing regional bank closures. Council will request the Government consider policies and programs such as a Post Office people’s bank or other options that will enable regional and rural communities suitable access to meet their banking needs.

NOM-2 NOTICE OF MOTION - POST OFFICE PEOPLES BANK

Blake Street planning agreement

After discussions with Council, the proponent will submit a new planning agreement which will address concerns regarding the Blake Street carpark.

RP-1 PROPOSED PLANNING AGREEMENT 12 BLAKE STREET WAGGA WAGGA DA19/0125

Hillary Street development application

Council resolved to refuse a development application for ‘proposed use of site for temporary events (20 per year) including additional parking area and use of existing pergola, amenities block and shipping container’ at Lot 1 DP 829597, 85 Hillary Street, North Wagga.

The application was refused due to the potential adverse impacts posed to the amenity of the neighbourhood.

RP-2 DA22/0029 - PROPOSED USE OF SITE FOR TEMPORARY EVENTS (20 PER YEAR) INCLUDING ADDITIONAL PARKING AREA AND USE OF EXISTING PERGOLA, AMENITIES BLOCK AND SHIPPING CONTAINER. LOT 1 DP 829597, 85 HILLARY STREET, NORTH WAGGA, 2650

Knights Meats building development application

Council approved a development application seeking consent for alterations and additions to the existing Knights Meats building and fit-out of the additions as retail space, licenced function centre and restaurant, subject to conditions.

RP-3 DA22/0177 - ALTERATIONS AND ADDITIONS TO INCLUDE RETAIL PREMISES, LICENCED FUNCTION CENTRE AND RESTAURANT. LOT 1 DP 631019, 187 FITZMAURICE STREET, WAGGA WAGGA, NSW, 2650

Edward Street development application

Council approved a development application for the construction of three two-storey dwellings with detached triple garage and four lot community title subdivision at 212 Edward Street, Wagga Wagga, NSW 2650 subject to conditions.

RP-4 DA22/0260 - CONSTRUCTION OF 3 X 2 STOREY DWELLINGS WITH DETACHED TRIPLE GARAGE AND 4 LOT COMMUNITY TITLE SUBDIVISION - LOT 8 DP 7850, 212 EDWARD ST WAGGA WAGGA NSW 2650

Pinaroo Drive development application fee waiver request

Council received a letter from the Opening Doors Foundation requesting Section 64 contributions and development application fees be waived for a 105-unit development at 70 Pinaroo Drive, Glenfield Park.

Council denied the request due to the impact the development will have on Council’s sewer and stormwater network and the negative impact waiving the planned fee income would have on Council’s balanced budget position.

RP-5 REQUEST TO WAIVE SECTION 64 CONTRIBUTIONS AND DEVELOPMENT APPLICATION FEES FOR DA20/0724

Riverina Joint Organisation: proposed changes

The separate boards of the Riverina Eastern Organisation of Councils (REROC) and the Riverina Joint Organisation (RIVJO) have been considering the future of the two organisations, with a view to adopting a single organisation for collaboration in this region. A ‘One Organisation Options’ paper was developed for each Council to consider and adopt their preferred option.

Council agreed to propose that Wagga Wagga City Council maintain the RIVJO at the cost of Council alone but based on each RIVJO delegate having one vote. Council would commit to this model for two years, after which time members would decide on future arrangements.

Council also resolved to receive a further report in relation to Council’s method of engagement for regional collaboration in the event that RIVJO is placed into hiatus.

RP-6 RIVERINA JOINT ORGANISATION (RIVJO) - ONE ORGANISATION OPTIONS’ PAPER

Annual Financial Statements 2021/22

Council approved the signing of the 2021/22 Financial Statements and noted that, due to Council not having control over Rural Fire Service (RFS) assets and therefore not recording RFS assets in Council’s financial statements, the NSW Audit Office have expressed a Modified Audit Opinion for the 2021/22 General Purpose Financial Statements.

RP-7 ANNUAL FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 2021/22

Budget variations approved

Council approved the proposed 2022/23 budget variations for the month ended 30 September 2022 and the proposed budget variations to the 2022/23 Long Term Financial Plan Capital Works Program, including future year timing adjustments and new projects.

Operating and Capital Budget Variations for 30 September 2022 include:

  • Wagga Women’s Shed Roof Replacement – $21,000
  • NSW Small Business Month Grant – $5,000
  • Southern Growth Area Sewer Augmentation – $1,400,000
  • Par 3 Golf Recycled Water Supply Pipeline – $22,000
  • Humula Road Blackspot Funding – $358,000
  • Levee Floodgate Pump Augmentation – $184,000
  • Bourke Street Pavement Rehabilitation – $652,000.

RP-8 FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE REPORT AS AT 30 SEPTEMBER 2022

Requests for financial assistance

Council supported waiving the following fees:

  • Riverina Conservatorium of Music – Christmas with the Con: $445
  • Department of Communities and Justice – Kooringal Clean Up: $6,789
  • Riverina Summer School for Strings – Grand Finale Concert: $685
  • Cancer Council – Wagga Relay for Life (additional): $1,250.60.

Council also endorsed the Annual 2022/23 Waste Disposal Subsidy for the total amount of $1,000 for Sisters Housing Enterprises Inc.

RP-9 REQUESTS FOR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE

RP-14 APPLICATIONS FOR SUBSIDY FOR WASTE DISPOSAL FOR CHARITABLE ORGANISATIONS

Draft Urban Cooling Strategy

The draft Urban Cooling Strategy 2022 – 2052 is a 30-year plan that aims to increase community health, wellbeing and resilience through planning more sustainable future developments and adapting our existing parks, open spaces, and other community infrastructure wherever possible.

Council agreed to endorse the draft Urban Cooling Strategy to be placed on public exhibition for a period of 28 days from 18 October 2022. Council will receive a further report following the public exhibition period.

RP-10 DRAFT URBAN COOLING STRATEGY

Alcohol-free zones

Council agreed to support in principle the renewal of the Alcohol-Free Zone for four years from the expiry of the existing declaration on 22 February 2023.

The streets and laneways included in the proposed Alcohol-Free Zone will be placed on public exhibition from 22 October 2022 to 21 November 2022, with the public invited to make submissions.

RP-11 ALCOHOL-FREE ZONE AND PROHIBITED AREAS

Amendment to Bush Fire Prone Land Map

Council noted the revised Draft Bush Fire Prone Land Map, prepared by the NSW Rural Fire Service (RFS) in consultation with Council, which identifies areas with elevated bushfire risk within the Wagga Wagga Local Government Area.

RP-12 AMENDMENT TO WAGGA WAGGA LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA BUSH FIRE PRONE LAND MAP

Community, Cultural and Sporting leases and licences

Council agreed to negotiate renewal of the lease and licence agreements due to expire during the 2023 calendar year for community, cultural or sporting associations occupying Council land and buildings.

RP-13 RENEWAL OF COMMUNITY, CULTURAL AND SPORTING LEASES AND LICENCES FOR 2023

Closed-Circuit Television Policy

Council agreed to adopt the Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) Policy after receiving no public submissions during the policy’s exhibition period.

RP-15 CLOSED CIRCUIT TELEVISION (CCTV) POLICY (POL 058)

Adoption of Council policies

Following a review of Council policies, Councillors agreed to adopt the Code of Conduct and Procedures for the Administration of the Code of Conduct, adopt the Council policies listed in the report, and rescind the following policies:

  • Visitor Access to secure area of Council’s Civic Centre Policy (POL 007)
  • Livestock Marketing Centre - Quality Policy (POL 063)
  • Welcome to Wagga Wagga Signs Policy (POL 071).

RP-16 ADOPTION OF COUNCIL POLICIES

Pecuniary Interest Returns tabled

The Register of Pecuniary Interest Returns, containing current returns of Councillors and Council executives, was tabled in accordance with the Wagga Wagga City Council Code of Conduct.

RP-17 WRITTEN RETURNS OF INTEREST - COUNCILLORS AND DESIGNATED PERSONS 2022

Container Deposit Scheme – Refund Sharing Arrangement

Council agreed to extend the Refund Sharing Agreement with Kurrajong Waratah for a 12-month period beginning 1 January 2023 and ceasing 31 December 2023 according to the following refund sharing arrangement:

  • 60% Wagga Wagga City Council
  • 40% Kurrajong Waratah.

CONF-1 CONTAINER DEPOSIT SCHEME (CDS) - REFUND SHARING ARRANGEMENT

Tarcutta Street Senior Citizens Centre: proposed licence agreement

Council agreed to negotiate entry into a Licence Agreement with Visual Dreaming Pty Ltd (ACN 629 219 085) for part of the Senior Citizens Centre at 204 Tarcutta Street, Wagga Wagga.

CONF-2 PROPOSED LICENCE AGREEMENT - PART SENIOR CITIZENS CENTRE, 204 TARCUTTA STREET, WAGGA WAGGA