Summary of Council’s 7 July 2025 Ordinary Meeting
Published: 08 Jul 2025 11:07am
Edward Street ‘co-living’ housing DA
Council approved DA25/0095 for the demolition of existing structures, tree removal and construction of Co-living housing comprising of four storeys with 50 co-living rooms, communal space, car parking and vehicle movement areas at 322 and 324 Edward Street, Wagga Wagga (Lots 3 & 4 DP12441).
The site is located on the southern side of Edward Street on the corner of Emblen and Edward streets and is within the Health and Knowledge Precinct.
RP-1 DA25/0095 - DEMOLITION OF EXISTING STRUCTURES, TREE REMOVAL AND CONSTRUCTION OF CO-LIVING HOUSING COMPRISING OF FOUR STOREYS WITH 50 CO-LIVING ROOMS, COMMUNAL SPACE, CAR PARKING AND VEHICLE MOVEMENT AREAS - 322 AND 324 EDWARD STREET, WAGGA WAGGA (LOTS 3 & 4 DP12441)
Wagga Wagga Airport proposed precinct master plan
Council has received and noted a report providing an update on the status of the Wagga Airport lease negotiation with the Commonwealth Department of Defence and the intent to apply for the Regional Precincts and Partnerships Program grant to fund the development of a Precinct Master Plan and Terminal Detailed Concept and Schematic Designs.
The Precinct Master Plan would build on the work already completed as part of the development of the Wagga Airport Terminal Upgrade business case, funded through the NSW Government.
Council recently submitted a proposal to the Commonwealth Department of Defence detailing why Wagga Wagga Council should be granted a long-term (50 year + 49 year) lease of the Wagga Airport and is currently awaiting advice on the outcome of this.
RP-2 WAGGA WAGGA AIRPORT PROPOSED PRECINCT MASTER PLAN AND TERMINAL DETAILED CONCEPT AND SCHEMATIC DESIGNS
Housing opportunities report
Council received and noted a report providing information in response to the Notice of Motion – Council Owned Housing Opportunities at the Ordinary Meeting on 13 May 2024.
The information provided in this report is an updated version of the report provided to the closed session on 22 July 2024, outlining the activities undertaken by staff, to address both short-term and long-term housing supply and affordability challenges.
RP-3 RESPONSE TO NOTICE OF MOTION - HOUSING OPPORTUNITIES
Temporary camping grounds development application
Council received and noted the submissions received during the public exhibition of the proposed Temporary Camping Grounds Development Application and endorsed continuing with the planning application process for the Exhibition Centre and Wagga Cricket Ground options only.
Council also agreed to hold a workshop to discuss the development of a draft Temporary Camping Grounds Policy and/or Operating Standard.
The proposal for the establishment of temporary camping grounds at four possible locations - the Exhibition Centre and Wagga Cricket Ground, along with the Wiradjuri Oval and Riverside Wagga Beach - was publicly exhibited from 26 June to 31 July 2024.
During the submission period, Council received 112 responses during the exhibition period; 55 online submissions, 55 hand-delivered letters, one direct e-mail, and one phone call.
The primary purpose of the temporary camping grounds is to provide overflow accommodation during major events such as the NSW Touch Association Junior State Cup Southern Conference carnival, the Academy Games, and the Gears and Beers Festival.
It is not intended to replace existing accommodation options, but rather to serve as a contingency plan that can be implemented when traditional lodging options become fully booked.
RP-4 PROPOSED EVENT CAMPING DEVELOPMENT APPLICATION
Annual contribution to Southern Sports Academy
Council endorsed the General Manager or their delegate entering into an agreement with the Southern Sports Academy for a three-year period, which includes an increase Council’s annual funding allocated to the Southern Sports Academy from $4000 to $11,800.
RP-5 SOUTHERN SPORTS ACADEMY ANNUAL CONTRIBUTION
Jim Elphick Tennis Centre seating
Council accepted a donation of $78,565 from the Wagga Tennis Association, with the funds to be used to purchase seating for the Jim Elphick Tennis Centre.
The new aluminium seating would include 30 freestanding bench seats for players and spectators, and eight additional 3-tier freestanding grandstands.
RP-6 DONATION FROM THE WAGGA WAGGA TENNIS ASSOCIATION
Sponsorship for major events, festival and films
Council agreed to sponsor the following events and festivals under Round One of the 2025/25 Major Events, Festivals and Film Sponsorship Program:
- Riverina Harvest Festival by Murrumbidgee Landcare to the amount of $10,000 through the Incubator Event stream;
- Carols by Candlelight by Specialist Medical Resources Foundation to the amount of $10,000 through the Incubator Event stream;
- Christmas with the Con by Riverina Conservatorium of Music to the amount of $19,209.66 through the Developing Event stream.
This funding is available to support events held from 1 July 2025 to 30 June 2026.
RP-7 MAJOR EVENTS, FESTIVALS AND FILMS SPONSORSHIP 2025/26 ROUND 1
Requests for financial assistance
Council approved providing financial assistance in accordance with Section 356 of the Local Government Act 1993 to the following community groups:
- Wagga Wagga Filipino Community for $495 – fee waiver for hire of the Council Meeting Room for its 127th Independence Day of the Philippines commemorations;
- UNISONg Community Choir Inc. for $1200 – fee waiver for hire of the Duke of Kent Hall over the 2025/26 financial year for its weekly Monday-night rehearsals; and,
- St Vincent de Paul for $990 – fee waiver for hire of the Council Meeting Room for a regional gathering for its members and volunteers on 15 September 2025.
RP-8 REQUESTS FOR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE - SECTION 356
Draft Councillor Expenses and Facilities Policy
Council endorsed the draft Councillor Expenses and Facilities Policy (POL 025) and approved placing it on public exhibition for a period of 28 days from 8 July 2025, inviting public submissions until the 19 August 2025.
Following the public exhibition and submission period, Council will receive a further report addressing any submissions made during the public exhibition period.
RP-9 COUNCILLOR EXPENSES AND FACILITIES POLICY - POL 025
Code of Conduct and Code of Meeting Practice
Council adopted the current Code of Conduct and Administrative Procedures for the Code of Conduct. Council also endorsed the draft Code of Meeting Practice and approved placing on public exhibition for a period of 28 days from Tuesday 8 July and invite public submissions until Tuesday 19 August 2025.
Following the public exhibition and submission period, Council will receive a further report addressing any submissions made during the public exhibition period.
RP-10 CODE OF CONDUCT AND CODE OF MEETING PRACTICE
Local Government NSW Water Management Conference
Council endorsedsending a Council delegate to the 2025 LGNSW Water Management Conference to be held in Albury 2025 from 9 to 11 September 2025 and appointed Cr Alanna Condron.
RP-11 2025 LGNSW WATER MANAGEMENT CONFERENCE
2025 Local Government NSW Annual Conference delegates
Council endorsed the Mayor Cr Tout and Councillors Jenny McKinnon, Amelia Parkins and Allana Condron to attend the Local Government NSW Annual Conference to be held from Sunday 23 to Tuesday 25 November 2025.
RP-12 2025 LOCAL GOVERNMENT NSW ANNUAL CONFERENCE - ELECTION OF DELEGATES AND MOTIONS
