Summary of Council’s 21 July 2025 Ordinary Meeting
Published: 23 Jul 2025 12:19pm
Revised Onsite Wastewater Management Strategy
Council endorsed the Onsite Wastewater Management Strategy 2025-2029 which has been revised to meet the NSW Office of Local Government Guidelines and includes a new Risk Management framework.
The documents will be placed on public exhibition for 35 days commencing 28 July and concluding 31 August 2025, with Council to receive a further report after the public exhibition period in the engagement process and responses to the draft documents.
RP-1 REVISED ONSITE WASTEWATER MANAGEMENT STRATEGY AND RISK MANAGEMENT FRAMEWORK
Prime agricultural land
Council has endorsed in principle a suite of proposed planning reforms aimed at strengthening protections for the region’s prime agricultural land. The reforms may include changes to the Local Strategic Planning Statement, Local Environmental Plan (LEP) and Development Control Plan (DCP).
The report follows a Notice of Motion considered at the 12 May 2025 Council meeting. Council also resolved to prioritise the planning work, with a progress report to be provided in October.
Council will write to the NSW Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure to seek support for fast-tracking the proposed local protections and ensuring they are considered in assessments of State and Regionally Significant Developments.
In addition, Council will investigate a Community Benefit Policy for electricity generating and storage developments and prepare a policy to encourage recycling of renewable energy technologies at the Special Activation Precinct or Gregadoo Waste Management Centre.
RP-2 PATHWAY TO STRENGTHEN PROTECTIONS FOR PRIME AGRICULTURAL LAND AND MANAGE LAND USE CONFLICT
Waste disposal subsidies for charity organisations
Council endorsed the annual 2025/26 Financial Assistance Subsidy for waste disposal for the total amount of $650 for two charitable organisations.
As part of this program, individuals, registered not-for-profit organisations, non-government registered charities or community groups located in the LGA are eligible to apply for a waiver or subsidised waste disposal fees.
RP-3 APPLICATIONS FOR SUBSIDY FOR WASTE DISPOSAL FOR CHARITY ORGANISATIONS
Successful 2025/26 Annual Grants recipients announced
Council approved the allocation of a total of $234,610.57 in funding to be shared by 49 successful applicants as part of the Annual Grants Program 2025/26.
The funding covers 10 categories: Community Programs & Projects; Recreational & Community Facilities; Neighbourhood & Rural Villages; Rural Halls; Arts, Culture & Creative Industries; Local Heritage; Events; Environment; Youth Programs & Projects; and Small Business.
Details about the successful recipients are in a separate Media Release.
RP-4 ANNUAL GRANTS PROGRAM 2025/26 - ARTS, CULTURE & CREATIVE INDUSTRIES
RP-5 ANNUAL GRANTS PROGRAM 2025/26 - COMMUNITY PROGRAMS & PROJECTS
RP-6 ANNUAL GRANTS PROGRAM 2025/26 – ENVIRONMENT
RP-7 ANNUAL GRANTS PROGRAM 2025/26 – EVENTS
RP-8 ANNUAL GRANTS PROGRAM 2025/26 - LOCAL HERITAGE
RP-9 ANNUAL GRANTS PROGRAM 2025/26 - NEIGHBOURHOOD & RURAL VILLAGES
RP-10 ANNUAL GRANTS PROGRAM 2025/26 - RECREATIONAL & COMMUNITY FACILITIES
RP-11 ANNUAL GRANTS PROGRAM 2025/26 - RURAL HALLS
RP-12 ANNUAL GRANTS PROGRAM 2025/26 - SMALL BUSINESS
RP-13 ANNUAL GRANTS PROGRAM 2025/26 - YOUTH PROGRAMS & PROJECTS
Budget Variations and investment report
Council approved the proposed budget variations required to manage the 2025/26 budget and Long-Term Financial Plan. External investments and performance as at 30 June 2025 were also included in the report. Budget Variations to 21 July 2025 include:
- Gregadoo Waste Management Centre Tower Installation - $200,000 from the Solid Waste Reserve for the installation of a communications tower at the facility.
- Botanic Gardens Museum Rectification Works - $73,000 from the Buildings Reserve for Rectification and additional works at the recently redeveloped Museum of the Riverina – Botanic Gardens site.
- Mercury Rising - Group Project - $45,000 from Create NSW awarded to the Wagga Wagga Civic Theatre for the Mercury Rising creative project, to be delivered in partnership with the Art Factory Supported Studio and Re: Group Performance Collective.
RP-14 2025/26 BUDGET VARIATIONS AND 30 JUNE 2025 INVESTMENT REPORT
Delegation of Authority to the General Manager
Council agreed to reconfirm the existing delegations to the General Manager to facilitate the day-to-day operation of the Council in accordance with Section 377 of the Local Government Act 1993 (NSW).
Section 380 of the Act requires Council to review all its delegations within the first 12 months of the term of office.
RP-15 DELEGATION OF AUTHORITY TO THE GENERAL MANAGER
RAAF Base Wagga Freedom of Entry to City parade
Council endorsed providing financial and in-kind support for the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Base Wagga’s Freedom of Entry to the City parade, scheduled for Saturday 18 October 2025. The support will include providing Traffic Management and road closures and a Mayoral Reception.
The event marks the 85th anniversary of the RAAF Base Wagga and reinforces the longstanding relationship between Council and the Australian Defence Force.
RP-16 FREEDOM OF ENTRY PARADE - ROYAL AUSTRALIAN AIR FORCE (RAAF) WAGGA
Council policy review
Council has endorsed a recommendation to adopt all but three of its existing policies as part of a comprehensive review of Council’s policies.The review of all active Council polices was undertaken to ensure that all policies are appropriate to the current strategic, operational and legislative environment in which Council operates.
The three policies rescinded are:
- Signs As Remote Supervision (POL 011)
- Community Facility Direction Signs Policy (POL 015)
- Executive and Leaseback Vehicles Policy (POL 076)
RP-17 COUNCIL POLICY REVIEW
Updated Sewer and Stormwater Policy
Council endorsed four draft policies relating to sewer and stormwater management and infrastructure and will place them on public exhibition for a period of 28 days from 22 July 2025 to 18 August 2025, with public submissions invited until 31 August 2025.
Council has reviewed and updated the draft Sewer Policy (POL 036) and Stormwater Policy (POL 037) and developed two new policies being Building in the Vicinity of Underground Assets Policy (POL 066) and Low-Pressure Sewer Systems and Connections Policy (POL 067) to align with current best practice in relation to Sewer and Stormwater, as well as legislative updates.
Following the public exhibition period, Council will receive a full report addressing any submissions made in respect of the draft policies.
RP-18 SEWER AND STORMWATER POLICY UPDATES
Acquisition Disposal and Management of Land Policy
Council endorsed the draft Acquisition, Disposal and Management of Land Policy (POL 038) and will place on public exhibition for a period of 28 days from 22 July 2025 until 18 August, with public submissions invited until 31 August 2025.
Council will receive a further report following the public exhibition and submission period addressing any submissions made in respect of the draft policy.
RP-19 ACQUISITION DISPOSAL AND MANAGEMENT OF LAND POLICY (POL038)
Draft Kerbside Collection Services Policy
Council endorsed the revised and renamed draft Kerbside Collection Services Policy (POL 016), incorporating the former Replacement of Stolen or Damaged Kerbside Collection Bins Policy. The draft policy will be placed on public exhibition for 28 days, from 22 July to 18 August 2025, and public submissions are invited until 31 August 2025.
The draft policy has been developed to provide guidance for the provision and delivery of Councils kerbside collection service.
Council will receive a further report following the public exhibition and submission period addressing any submissions made in respect of the draft policy.
RP-20 KERBSIDE COLLECTION SERVICES POLICY (POL 016)
NSW Libraries conference representative
Cr Parkins has been endorsed as Council’s representative to attend NSW Public Libraries Association SWITCH 2025 Conference and Annual General Meeting, to be held in Penrith on 11-14 November 2025.
RP-21 NSW PUBLIC LIBRARIES ASSOCIATION (NSWPLA) SWITCH 2025 CONFERENCE AND ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
Menneke Park public artwork
Council has accepted an Expression of Interest application and will enter into a contract with an artist for the City, Suburbs & Villages 2024-25 commission in Menneke Park, Estella.
Council will advise the unsuccessful Expression of Interest applicants in writing.
The Public Art Plan 2022-2026 commits Council to a ‘City, Suburbs & Villages’ public art commission in each of the four years covered by the plan. Each City, Suburbs & Villages commission has a total budget of $15,000 which are designed to highlight the unique character of villages, neighbourhoods and public places.
CONF-1 COMMISSIONING OF PUBLIC ARTWORK IN MENNEKE PARK
Fire safety inspection report
Council has received a fire safety inspection report dated 1 July 2025 from the Commissioner of Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) in relation to a local premises.
Council officers have commenced their investigation of the matters raised in the FRNSW report and will provide a further report and recommendation to Council as to whether it should exercise its power to issue a fire safety order. The Act requires that this report and recommendation be provided to the first available Council meeting following the initial tabling of the FRNSW report.
CONF-2 FIRE SAFETY INSPECTION REPORT - NSW FIRE COMMISSIONER