Summary of Council’s 27 May 2024 Ordinary Meeting

Published: 28 May 2024 10:06am

Edward Street multi dwelling development application approved

Council approved development application DA23/0676 for 9 two storey dwellings at 251 Edward Street, Wagga Wagga NSW 2650 (Lot 10 DP123) subject to the conditions outlined in the Section 4.15 Assessment Report.

RP-1 DA23/0676 - MULTI DWELLING HOUSING (9 TWO STOREY ATTACHED DWELLINGS) INCLUDING VEHICLE MOVEMENT AREA AND CARPARKING - 251 EDWARD STREET, WAGGA WAGGA NSW 2650 (LOT 10 DP123)

Report on Flood Mitigation Options for North Wagga endorsed

Council endorsed receiving and accepting the Centre for International Economics (CIE) Flood Mitigation Options for North Wagga Final Report and approved implementing the following staged approach:

Stage 1 - Upgrading the existing North Wagga Levee system to a 1 in 20 height (which is Stage 1 of the proposed ‘L4B’ recommendation which increase the protection of the levee to one of 5% Annual Exceedance Probability, or a 1 in 20 chance of overtopping in any given year) and offering Voluntary House Raising and Purchase subject to risk reduction and cost effectiveness. This process will include a Review of Environmental Factors but exclude a Biodiversity Development Assessment Report for this particular stage.

Stage 2 – It is noted that the cost of Stage 2 of option L4B is currently prohibitive as it includes increasing the road heights and bridges along Hampden Ave to provide a safe evacuation route. This stage will be considered in the future subject to funding and approval processes. This future consideration may include alternate measures or new designs as outlined in the report.

The Draft Report was endorsed for public exhibition at the Council meeting on the 11 March 2024. The public exhibition period commenced on the 15 March 2024 and was closed on the 26 April 2024 after a period of 42 days. During this period there were six submissions received from the public, all of which have been responded to.

RP-2 NORTH WAGGA FLOOD MITIGATION OPTIONS

Tolland Renewal Project Masterplan adopted, Planning Agreement to go on public exhibition

Council received and noted the 29 submissions and two (2) petitions that were received during the public exhibition of the Tolland Masterplan between 11 September 2023 and 24 October 2023.

In this meeting Council endorsed adopting the finalised Tolland Concept Masterplan and provides in principle support for the proposed Planning Agreement in relation to the project.

The proposed Planning Agreement will be placed on public exhibition for a period of 28 days from 31 May 2024 to 28 June 2024 and submissions are invited until 12 July 2024.

Following the public exhibition period, Council will receive a further report addressing any submission made in respect of the proposed planning agreement; and recommending whether or not to enter into the proposed agreement.

This Council report provides an update on all elements of the Tolland Renewal Project. In summary, the report seeks to adopt the Masterplan, to publicly exhibit the draft Planning Agreement, and to update councillors and the community on the Planning Proposal, development controls and land acquisition. The Concept Masterplan is now adopted; the Development Controls are under review; the planning agreement will go on public exhibition; the land acquisition approach is still to be determined with Homes NSW and the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure (DPHI); and DPHI is progressing the Planning Proposal to finalisation.

The Tolland Renewal Project is anticipated to achieve some key milestones within the next six months, delivering a significant renewal opportunity for the Wagga Wagga community.

RP-3 TOLLAND RENEWAL PROJECT

Oval to be renamed after calls for submissions

Council endorsed the renaming of Michael Slater Oval and the calling for nominations from community members and stakeholders for possible alternative names for consideration.

There have been questions raised from several community members regarding the appropriateness of having a sporting oval named after Michael Slater due to his conviction on multiple domestic violence charges.

In 2023 an amended Parks Naming Policy was put on public exhibition which reserved the right for Council to renew the name of any open space area at its discretion. In November 2023, the amended Council’s Parks Naming Policy was adopted.

Feedback from the community is that the name of the oval should be changed as his convictions do not reflect community expectations of behaviour, and that his name should not be recognised in association with a public sporting facility.

Any renaming of the Oval should be completed in accordance with Council’s Parks Naming Policy which provides guidance on the process for selecting names for open space areas.

The process that is recommended to be undertaken to identify and adopt a new name would be:

• The seeking of public submissions on possible names for the oval from the community and stakeholders;
• A Councillor workshop to discuss the submissions and potential options
• A final report to Council recommending adoption of a name.

RP-4 MICHAEL SLATER OVAL

Feedback sought for the Draft Marrambidya Wetland Plan of Management

Council endorsed receiving and noting this report on the draft Marrambidya Wetland Plan of Management and endorsed placing the amended plan on public exhibition for a period of 42 days from 31 May 2024 to 12 July 2024. Submissions are invited until 12 July 2024.

The draft Marrambidya Wetland Plan of Management (draft PoM) is a ten-year document that provides clear direction as to the future use and management of Council owned land and the Council managed Crown land that make up the site. The draft PoM has been developed in consultation with relevant agencies, the community and in line with relevant legislation.

The draft plan will be exhibited on Council’s engagement platform:
https://haveyoursay.wagga.nsw.gov.au

RP-5 MARRAMBIDYA WETLAND PLAN OF MANAGEMENT

Council’s budget balanced

Council approved the proposed 2023/24 budget variations for the month ended 30 April 2024 and noted the balanced budget position as presented in the report.

Council also approved the proposed budget variations to the 2023/24 Long Term Financial Plan Capital Works Program including new projects and future year timing adjustments.

Elsa Dixon Aboriginal Employment Grant: Council has been successful in securing a one-off funding allocation from Training Services NSW – the Elsa Dixon Employment Grant for the Property Management division. The Elsa Dixon Aboriginal Employment Grant supports Aboriginal people through the creation of training and employment opportunities.

RP-6 FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE REPORT AS AT 30 APRIL 2024

Financial assistance request approved for Puggles Children’s Services Mobile Van

Council approved providing financial assistance to the sum of $10,000 in accordance with Section 356 of the Local Government Act 1993 to the Snowy Valleys Council per a request made to assist in the delivery of the weekly Puggles Children’s Services Mobile Van.

The mobile van visits Ladysmith and Tarcutta rural villages for 45 weeks a year. This is a service provided to rural and remote communities providing education, school readiness and health programs alongside care in family groupings for children aged 6 weeks to 6 years. This service is auspiced by Snowy Valleys Council and based at Tumbarumba.

RP-7 REQUEST FOR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE - SECTION 356