Wagga Wagga City Council's Civic Centre building
Council

Summary of Council’s 26 June 2023 Ordinary Meeting

Published: 27 Jun 2023 9:50am

Integrated Planning and Reporting documents adopted

Council endorsed several planning and reporting documents in a process that ensures legislative compliance and meeting the requirements of the Office of Local Government. The documents include:

  • Revised Delivery Program 2022/23 – 2025/26
  • Operational Plan 2023/24
  • Long Term Financial Plan 2023/24
  • Fees and Charges for the financial year 2023/24

RP-1 INTEGRATED PLANNING AND REPORTING (IP&R) - ADOPTION OF DOCUMENTS

Financial Performance Report endorsed

Council endorsed approving the proposed 2022/23 budget variations for the month ended 31 May 2023 and note the balanced budget position as presented in this report. Council also endorsed approving the proposed budget variations to the 2022/23 Long Term Financial Plan Capital Works Program including new projects and timing adjustments.

The two budget variations mentioned in the report include replacing the grand piano at the Civic Theatre due to it being at the end of its life. This will be funded from Civic Theatre income.

Also detailed was the approval by Transport for NSW for Council to use funds that were saved on the Old Narrandera Road Sealing project to complete additional roadworks on an 800m section of Old Narrandera Road closer to the Pine Gully Road Intersection. It is proposed to schedule the works in 2023/24 utilising the savings of $150K in 2022/23 and $500K in 2023/24.

RP-2 FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE REPORT AS AT 31 MAY 2023

Sale of land for unpaid rates

Council endorsed, pursuant to Section 713 of the Local Government Act 1993, authorising the General Manager or their delegate to sell the land detailed in this report to recover unpaid rates, annual charges, interest and extra charges, if an acceptable payment plan with any party that has an interest in the land noted in this report is not able to be achieved, or is not adhered to. This is considered a last resort in dealing with unpaid rates.

Only one property is currently identified for sale for unpaid rates, with rates owing for more than 5 years and for which a satisfactory payment plan cannot be secured.

It is noted that there are 4 other properties currently being monitored who have significant rates outstanding, however will not reach the 5 years rates outstanding point until early 2024. Again, if a satisfactory rates payment arrangement is not put in place for these properties a report will be submitted to Council in early 2024, proposing they be sold for unpaid rates owing greater than 5 years.

RP-3 SALE OF LAND FOR UNPAID RATES

Applications for major events awarded funding

Council have endorsed authorising the General Manager or their delegate to enter into an agreement to sponsor the following events through the 2023/24 Major Events and Sponsorship budget:

  1. Classic and Historic Automobile Club of Australia – Wagga Wagga Region’s ‘Wagga Wagga Swap Meet’ to the amount of $10,000
  2. Riverina Thrashers Modified & Classic Car Club Inc’s ‘Thrashernats3’ to the amount of $15,000
  3. Riverina Conservatorium of Music’s ‘Christmas with the Con’ to the amount of $10,000

Council received three applications for the first round of the 2023/24 Major Events, Festivals and Films Sponsorship Program. This funding is available to support events held from 1 July 2023 to 30 June 2024. Applications have been assessed by the Major Events Advisory Panel in line with the Major Events, Festivals and Films Sponsorship guidelines.

RP-4 MAJOR EVENTS FESTIVALS AND FILMS SPONSORSHIP - ROUND ONE

Council delegate to attend climate summit

Council resolved to be represented at the 2023 Cities Power Partnership ‘Climate Summit for Local Government’ to be held in Melbourne from 6-8 September 2023 and endorsed the mayor or their delegate to attend the summit.

The Cities Power Partnership (CPP) is Australia’s largest network of local councils leading the way to a zero emissions future. Current members cover over 500 cities and towns representing more than 70% of Australia’s population. Wagga Wagga City Council has been a member of the CCP since 2018.

The CPP’s ‘Climate Summit for Local Government’ 2023 is being held in Melbourne from 6-8 September 2023. The event will bring together elected officials and chief executives from councils across the country to identify key opportunities, inform practical actions, and inspire innovation at the local government level.

RP-7 CLIMATE SUMMIT FOR LOCAL GOVERNMENT 2023

Freedom of the City awarded to the Australian Army Band Kapooka

Council endorsed granting the ‘Australian Army Band’ Freedom of Entry to the City of Wagga Wagga (Freedom of the City), lost due to administrative changes that recategorised the unit as a ‘Sub-unit’ under the Head Quarter Unit of Australian Army Band located in Canberra.

The Freedom of the City had previously been awarded by Council on 27th April 2009. At the time the Australia Army Band Kapooka in 2009 was a ‘Unit’ in its own right.

The granting of the Freedom of Entry to the City (FOC) is a symbolic presentation which represents the highest honour that a city can confer on an individual or a Military Unit.

The Australian Army Band Kapooka has provided hours of enjoyment and entertainment for community members through its various concert programs. Often those services have been donated to community members and charitable organisations. Annually, the Army Band participates in over 100 engagements for the civilian population which provides a connectivity between the local community and Defence.

A reunion of the Australian Army Band Corps Association is being held on 13-15 October 2023, with a significant number of current serving, and ex-serving soldier musicians and their spouses/partners will be coming to Wagga Wagga for this event.

RP-8 GRANTING FREEDOM OF THE CITY TO THE AUSTRALIAN ARMY BAND

Cattle delivery services contract awarded

Council endorsed entering into a contract with the Trustee for the Bourlet Family Trust Pty Ltd for cattle delivery services for cattle sales at the Livestock Marketing Centre (LMC).

The cattle delivery contractor takes control of cattle that are sold in the selling ring, bull pens and selected cattle sold through the visual pens and accurately delivers them to the buyer’s pens at all prime cattle sales.

CONF-1 RFT2023-19 CATTLE DELIVERY SERVICES LIVESTOCK MARKETING CENTRE

Livestock handling services contract awarded for Livestock Management Centre

Council endorsed entering into a contract with Quality Lean Meats Pty Ltd for livestock handling services at the Livestock Marketing Centre (LMC).

The Contractor is responsible for providing the service of moving sold bulls from the bull pens to the bull scale box immediately after the bull sale and moving all penned sale cattle from the stack/draft pens through the scale area on to the selling ring and out to the delivery lanes. The Contractor is also required to receive cattle that are to be in the next sale and is responsible for receival of sheep and lambs to be sold at the LMC.

CONF-2 RFT2023-20 LIVESTOCK HANDLING SERVICES LIVESTOCK MARKETING CENTRE 6