Summary of Council’s 24 February 2025 Ordinary Meeting
Published: 25 Feb 2025 10:18am
Inland Rail Notice of Motion
Council endorsed writing to the Hon. Catherina King MP, Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government, requesting that she instruct the Australian Rail Track Corporation and the NSW Government to undertake a number of actions to reduce the potential negative impact of the Inland Rail project on the city.
It also endorsed writing to all candidates for the seat of Riverina in the upcoming Federal election seeking their commitment to getting a better outcome for Wagga Wagga with regards to the project.
NOM-1 NOTICE OF MOTION - INLAND RAIL
Gregadoo Road corridor strategy
Council adopted a strategy that sets out what future road upgrades need to occur along the Gregadoo Road corridor to meet traffic demands as the City of Wagga Wagga grows.
Council endorsed the report’s recommendations that in any future upgrade of the road and/or intersections, that the section of Gregadoo Road between Plumpton Road and Main Street be constructed to urban standards, and the section between Main Street and Mitchell Road be constructed to rural standards.
It also endorsed the adjustments to the works identified for Gregadoo Road in the 2019-2034 Wagga Wagga Local Infrastructure Contributions Plan (WWLICP), to allow for a roundabout to be constructed at the Gregadoo Road/Plunkett Road intersection instead of the Gregadoo Road/Plumpton Road intersection.
The proposed amendment to items in the WWLICP will be placed on public exhibition on public exhibition for a period of 28 days and invite public submissions.
Council will receive a further report following the exhibition and submission period addressing any submission made in respect of the draft document.
RP-1 GREGADOO ROAD CORRIDOR STRATEGY
Request for financial assistance
Council agreed to waive the hire fee for the use of the Council Meeting room by the New South Wales Aboriginal Education Consultative Group Inc. for their regular twice a term (school) meeting.
RP-2 REQUEST FOR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE - SECTION 356
Financial performance report as at 31 January 2025
Council approved the Financial Performance Report as at 31 January 2025, approving the budget variations and noting the balanced budget position.
The budget variations include:
- $21,000 from the Cemetery Reserve for sealing a new access road at the Monumental Cemetery on Kooringal Road.
- $136,000 from the Livestock Management Centre (LMC) Reserve for the Cattle Delivery Yards rehabilitation works.
- $50,000 for the Wagga Wagga Early Warning System Model Development project ($33,000 from the Department of Climate Change, Energy, The Environment and Water and $17,000 from the Stormwater Levy Reserve).
- $25,000 from the Solid Waste Reserve for the Gregadoo Waste Management Centre (GWMC) New Waste Strategy Development and Implementation.
- $14,000 from Community Centre Hire Income for a kitchen upgrade at the Senior Citizens’ Centre in Tarcutta Street.
- $90,000 for construction of a street sweeper station at Council’s Alan Turner Depot ($45,000 from the Civil Infrastructure Reserve and $45,000 from the Solid Waste Reserve).
RP-3 FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE REPORT AS AT 31 JANUARY 2025
Regional Drought Resilience plan to go on public exhibition
Council approved placing the Regional Drought Resilience Plan and associated documents on public exhibition for a period of 28 days from 26 February to 26 March 2025 and invites submissions until 21 March 2025.
Wagga Wagga City Council, in partnership with Lockhart Shire Council, is creating the plan which is part of the NSW Government’s Regional Drought Resilience Planning Program.
The development of the 82-page Drought Resilience Plan, along with a more detailed 100-page technical document, was based on research along with stakeholder and community consultation.
In August 2024, four public drop-in sessions were held across the two Local Government Areas (LGAs), followed by a four-week online community survey in September/October 2024 which received 79 submissions.
The Regional Drought Resilience Plan will now be placed on public exhibition to seek community and stakeholder feedback. This process will provide local stakeholders with another opportunity to contribute to the plan before its final adoption.
Following the public exhibition period, Council will receive a further report addressing any submission made in respect of the plan.
RP-4 2023/24 REGIONAL DROUGHT RESILIENCE PLANNING PROGRAM - ROUND 2
Operational Performance Report
Council received and noted the Operational Performance Report for the period 1 July 2024 to 31 December 2024. The report provides updates on progress we’ve made in implementing Council’s Delivery Program and Operational Plan 2024/25.
Two-hundred and forty-eight (92.12%) of the 260 actions within the plan have been reported as “On track” or “Completed”.
RP-5 OPERATIONAL PERFORMANCE REPORT - 1 JULY 2024 TO 31 DECEMBER 2024
Model Meeting Code amendments draft submission
Council endorsed the draft submission to the Office of Local Government’s Model Meeting Code amendments.
The feedback the Office of Local Government receives from local councils across NSW will be used to inform the amendments that are ultimately made to the Model Meeting Code. It is anticipated that the new Model Meeting Code will be prescribed in early 2025.
RP-6 DRAFT SUBMISSION TO MODEL MEETING CODE AMENDMENTS
Advisory Committee and Panel members
Council appointed community representatives to six Council committee and panels.
These included:
- Australia Day Community Committee - six community representatives.
- Floodplain Risk Management Advisory Committee - four community representatives.
- Museum of the Riverina Community Advisory Committee - four community representatives.
- Major Events, Festivals and Films Sponsorship Advisory Panel - three industry representatives.
- Public Art Panel - one industry representative and two community representatives.
- Sporting Hall of Fame Panel - one community representative.
Expressions of interest were called to serve on each of the committees outlined above over a 10-week period ending 24 January 2025.
For further information, visit www.wagga.nsw.gov.au/committeeswhich will be updated with the new details shortly.
CONF-1 APPOINTMENT OF ADVISORY COMMITTEE AND PANEL MEMBERS
Gissing Oval amenities upgrade
Councilaccepted the negotiated offer of PCR Building Services PTY Ltd (ABN 99 114 293 677) for upgrade of the amenities at Gissing Oval in Turvey Park for the lump sum of $909,216.84.
Council was successful in securing $500,000 of NSW State Government grant funding under the Female Friendly Community Sport Facilities and Lighting Upgrades Grant Program.
The refurbishment of the existing amenities and the construction of two female friendly change rooms will increase the capacity to host competitions and training at Gissing Oval
The new amenities building would be constructed in the north-west corner of the site (Bluett Crescent and Blamey Street end).
CONF-2 2024-26 GISSING OVAL AMENITIES UPGRADE
Access between Yabtree Road and Sturt Highway
Council authorised the General Manager or delegate to write to the relevant parties confirming that Council will not exercise its compulsory acquisition powers to acquire an access track between private properties, which connects Yabtree Road to the Sturt Highway.
Council also directed the General Manager to work with the parties and endeavour to reach a solution.
CONF-3 ROAD DISPUTE - ACCESS BETWEEN YABTREE ROAD AND STURT HIGHWAY
Acquisition of easement over Crown Land
Council approved the compulsory acquisition of easement(s) over the land described as Lot 467 DP 823317 in accordance with the provisions of the Land Acquisition (Just Terms Compensation) Act 1991.
CONF-4 PROPOSED ACQUISITION OF EASEMENT OVER CROWN LAND - LOT 467 DP 823317
Northern Growth Area technical studies
Council accepted the tender of the App Corporation Pty Limited (ABN 29 003 764 770), t/a The APP Group, for the Northern Growth Area Technical Studies and Updated Structure Plan for the lump sum of $872,944, excluding GST.
Wagga Wagga City Council has identified the Northern Growth Area as a key growth area to increase housing delivery in the Wagga Wagga Local Strategic Planning Statement (LSPS).
The Wagga Wagga Northern Growth Area Concept Structure Plan, culminating the extensive work completed to date, will guide the development of future communities planned for the Northern Growth Area and the vision and guiding principles to shape future development.
The technical studies are being undertaken to ensure the Structure Plan is underpinned by a rigorous evidence base.
CONF-5 RFT CT2025037 NORTHERN GROWTH AREA