Summary of Council’s 11 November 2024 Ordinary Meeting
Published: 12 Nov 2024 12:01pm
Riverina Men’s Health Centre
Council has requested a report to investigate the process to establish a Riverina Men’s Health Centre, offering mental health, fitness, and collaborative law legal services including, but not limited to: identifying the key stakeholders; the steps involved; the role of Council; and consideration of a steering committee or other such panel to oversee and guide the initial development of this centre.
NOM-1 NOTICE OF MOTION – RIVERINA MEN’S HEALTH CENTRE
Reconnecting Rivers Country Program
Council resolved to write to NSW Minister for Water, Housing and Homelessness the Hon Rose Jackson MLC, and to the Federal Minister for Environment and Water the Hon Tanya Plibersek MP, requesting an immediate halt in the Reconnecting Rivers Country Program. Council will also request a face-to-face meeting with each Minister and local Members Dr Joe McGirr MP and the Hon Michael McCormack MP.
Council will request that stakeholders, such as landholder representative groups and Councils, are consulted immediately and then subsequently at each stage of the Reconnecting Rivers Country business case process, including the development of the Landholder Negotiation Scheme.
Council will also write to all other RAMJO Councils, and any other Councils located on the Murrumbidgee River, seeking feedback and support for our advocacy in this matter, and will write to the NSW Shadow Minister for Water Steph Cooke MP, requesting an overview of her knowledge and position on this issue and seek her support in advocating for ongoing consultation for the remainder of the program.
NOR-1 NOTICE OF MOTION TO ALTER RESOLUTION – RECONNECTING RIVERS COUNTRY PROGRAM
Service Review report outcomes
Council has received and noted the report on a Service Review to ensure the long-term sustainable provision of planning, building and development services in the most efficient manner.
The review undertook extensive consultation, benchmarking and analysis of six ‘in-scope’ areas in the Development Assessment and Building Certification Division. It found the Division’s performance is well above average, and timeframes are better than many councils in NSW.
In the 2023-24 financial year, Council’s average assessment timeframe for development applications was 78 days compared with an average of 115 days for all NSW Councils.
The review has also identified a number of areas for improvement to ensure the long-term sustainable provision of planning and development services.
Council has requested an evaluation of the outcomes of the Service Review be undertaken within 12 months and a report presented to Council by December 2025, and to recognise the imminent and critical role of AI-driven technologies in enhancing the Planning Division’s efficiency.
It has also directed the General Manager to identify specific AI tools, including automated application processing, predictive analytics, and digital customer support systems, to streamline operations and improve service delivery, with findings and recommendations to be included in the 2025 organisation structure report.
RP-1 SERVICE REVIEW - DEVELOPMENT ASSESSMENT AND BUILDING CERTIFICATION DIVISION
Approval of fee waiver requests
Council has approved requests from Homes NSW for fee waivers for three community clean ups in the following suburbs: Mount Austin/Turvey Park on 3 March 2025; Tolland on 21 July 2025 and Ashmont on 3 November 2025 for a total waste fee waiver request of $31,213.
Council will request that the hard rubbish collection for the Tolland precinct be scheduled in the first half of 2025, preferably in February, to address immediate waste management needs in the area.
Council will require that Homes NSW include detailed reports on the types and volumes of waste collected, with an evaluation of the program’s impact on reducing illegal dumping.
Additionally, Council will write to Homes NSW and the NSW Government requesting that they improve their management of the Tolland Precinct, even as it undergoes renewal, and to explore ways to prevent cost-shifting onto Council ensuring shared responsibility for that area’s upkeep.
Council will also advise that they cannot provide financial assistance for community clean-ups after FY 2025/26 and request that Homes NSW coordinate mowing of properties under their management in the area while the clean-up is occurring.
RP-2 REQUESTS FOR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE - SECTION 356
Plaques Policy review
Council adopted the draft Plaques Policy (POL 028) and noted that no submissions were received during the public exhibition period in September and October 2024. The amended policy gives Council the ability to remove an existing plaque at its discretion. The change is in response to a petition received from the community in October 2023.
RP-3 REVIEW OF PLAQUES POLICY - POL 028
2025 Council Meeting dates
Council resolved to continue meeting on Mondays and adopted its schedule of meeting dates for the period January 2025 to December 2025. Further discussions will be held in mid-2025 to consider alternate Council Meeting Days in 2026.
RP-4 2025 COUNCIL MEETING DATES
Wagga Wagga Airport
Council endorsed entering an extension to the current Wagga Wagga Airport lease for a period of 12 months to be executed through a Deed of Variation – Lease and Licence.
The current 30-year lease of Wagga Airport from the Commonwealth Department of Defence is due to expire in June 2025. This deed of variation also means that Council can subsequently extend more than 40 subleases of the Wagga Airport for a 12-month period too.
RP-5 DEED OF VARIATION - WAGGA WAGGA AIRPORT LEASE AND LICENCE