Summary of Council’s 20 January 2025 Ordinary Meeting
Published: 21 Jan 2025 12:16pm
Lake Albert water quality investigation
Council resolved to receive a report that outlines previous technical studies undertaken in regard to Lake Albert ,and their current relevance. The report will also consider an option to call for a quotes to engage an independent expert scientific report into the causes and possible prevention strategies or treatment solutions to improve the water quality at Lake Albert.
NOM-1 - LAKE ALBERT WATER QUALITY INVESTIGATION
Sealed road line marking
Council resolved to receive a report on the introduction of line marking of sealed roads as an asset, and a discrete component of the Transport Asset Management Plan.Currently, Council does not recognise line marking of sealed roads as a discrete asset and, as such, does not allocate a budget or renewal schedule for the maintenance of existing line-marking.A report will be prepared by staff and presented to Council for consideration.
NOM 2 – SEALED ROAD LINE MARKING
Protection of agricultural land with solar developments
Council resolved to receive a report in relation to large-scale solar energy generation (solar farms) being installed in the Wagga Wagga LGA. Specifically, the report is requested to:
- investigate the establishment of a Reference Group that could include relevant stakeholders such as farmers, energy experts, state planning authorities, and the Department of Planning and Environment;
- detail options for a framework for Electricity Generating Works that may include draft provisions for a policy to guide development for any 'Electricity Generating Works' in the Wagga LGA and decommissioning plans and rehabilitation of the site and land restoration when the energy generation use ends;
- identify partnerships and investment opportunities with companies focused on solar waste management, circular design, decommissioning and rehabilitation suitable for the Special Activation Precinct.
A report will be prepared by staff and presented to Council for consideration.
NOM 3 - PROTECTING AGRICULTURAL LAND & LOCAL COMMUNITIES WHILST PLANNING FOR SUSTAINABLE SOLAR DEVELOPMENT
Approval of demolition and construction of multi-dwelling housing Beckwith Street
Council approved a Development Application (DA24/0258) for the demolition of an existing dwelling and shed, and subsequent construction of multi-dwelling housing and community title subdivision at 119 Beckwith Street, Wagga Wagga (Lot 9 DP 12198).
The application is for the construction of three, two-storey attached dwellings in the R3- Medium Density Zone, which is permitted with consent.
RP-1 - DA24/0258 - DEMOLITION OF EXISTING DWELLING, CONSTRUCTION OF MULTI-DWELLING HOUSING (3 DWELLINGS) AND COMMUNITY TITLE SUBDIVISION, 119 BECKWITH STREET, WAGGA WAGGA NSW, LOT 9 DP 12198
Transfer of Plumpton Road from Crown to Council
Council authorised for the General Manager or their delegate to request the transfer of a section of Plumpton Road from the Department of Crown Lands to Council.
Council officers have recently been advised, following enquiries and investigations with the Department of Crown Lands, that a southern portion of Plumpton Road is under the joint management of Council and the Crown.
The land ownership has implications on the Plumpton Road Project and associated intersection upgrades. The transfer of the remainder of the road parcel will ensure that Council can progress the project on schedule.
RP-2 REQUEST TO TRANSFER CROWN ROAD TO COUNCIL – PLUMPTON ROAD.
Gregadoo Waste Management Centre skip bin fees and charges
Council approved the use of the “General sorted construction waste” fee of $165 per tonne for all skip-bin loads brought to the Gregadoo Waste Management Centre (GWMC) until a revised schedule of charges is adopted for the 2025/26 Financial Year.
The need for the use of the fee has been brought about by the identification of inconsistencies in the GWMC fees and charges for skip-bin unloading. In some instances, the “unsorted construction waste” fee is being used, which is a higher fee.
Council will receive a further report regarding the fees and charges for the GWMC as part of the 2025/26 budget process.
RP-3 GREGADOO WASTE MANAGEMENT CENTRE (GWMC) SKIP BIN FEES AND CHARGES.
Financial report as at 31 December 2024
Council approved the Financial Performance Report as at 31 December 2024, approving the budget variations and noting the balanced budget position.
The budget variations include:
- $27,000 for the Riverside Fencing Project ($21,000 from NSW State Government and $6000 from Council’s Parks and Recreation Renewal Budgets).
- $175,000 from the Livestock Management Centre (LMC) Reserve for the Sheep and Goat EiD system.
- $50,000 from the NSW Department of Communities and Justice to undertake a Youth Program – Licence for Change, in partnership with Mount Austin High School and NRMA. The program aims to support up to 50 local young people to gain their Learner Driver’s Licence and progress to obtaining their Provisional Drivers Licence through the NRMA Voucher Safer Drivers Course.
- $56,000 to the Wagga Wagga Show Society contribution and interest credit following the Memorandum of Understanding passed at the 16 December 2024 Council meeting. The contribution has been backdated to the 2021/22 Financial Year. Funding for the contribution has come from the NSW State Government Emergency Services Levy payment of $88,000. The remaining $32,000 of this payment is proposed to be transferred to the Buildings Reserve.
RP-5 – FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE REPORT AS AT 31 DECEMBER 2024
Wagga Leisure membership packages on public exhibition
Council resolved to place the proposed Wagga Leisure membership packages on public exhibition for a period of 28 days to allow community members to provide feedback.
At the Ordinary Meeting of Council held on 28 October 2024, it was resolved that Council would purchase Workout Wagga Gym and operate the Jim Elphick Tennis Centre and Oasis Aquatic Centre under the one management model called Wagga Leisure.
Fees and charges and individual membership options were then adopted at the Ordinary Meeting of Council held on 16 December 2024, following a public exhibition period.
Fees and charges for combined membership packages will now go on public exhibition. The combined membership options will represent the Oasis Aquatic Centre, Workout Gym and Jim Elphick Tennis Centre. Each of these venues will retain their identity and continue to operate as an individual recreational facility.
Staff have reviewed the current fitness industry and considered community feedback in developing the membership options.
A tiered structure allows for an all-inclusive membership, family options and youth memberships.
Community members will be able to customise their membership to meet their fitness and wellbeing goals in an affordable way.
RP-6 - WAGGA RECREATION FACILITY – MEMBERSHIP PACKAGES
Appointment of audit committee external members
Council has appointed three independent external members to the Audit, Risk and Improvement Committee (ARIC).
The Committee was established in 2007 to promote good corporate governance at Council and is a key component of Council’s Governance and Risk Framework. Acting as an independent advisory Committee, it assists Council with its oversight responsibilities and operates in accordance with the current Internal Audit Guidelines for Local Government NSW.
A total of 18 applications were received to fill three vacant independent external member positions. The three selected members have been appointed to the committee for the remainder of the Council term (until 2029).
CONF-1 APPOINTMENT OF AUDIT, RISK AND IMPROVEMENT COMMITTEE INDEPENDENT EXTERNAL MEMBERS
Appointment of plant and vehicle mechanical repair services
Council has authorised for the General Manager or their delegate to enter into contracts with three external suppliers for Council plant and vehicle mechanical repairs services.
Council operates a servicing and repair workshop at the Alan Turner Depot and has historically used a mix of Council staff and private contractors to repair and service Council fleet vehicles.
The three suppliers were selected via a Tender process and Council will enter three, one-year contracts with each of the suppliers.
CONF-2 CT2025005 PLANT & VEHICLE MECHANICAL REPAIR SERVICES