Summary of Council’s 23 June 2025 Ordinary Meeting

Published: 24 Jun 2025 9:34am

Planning proposal to expand options for secondary dwellings

Council endorsed the preparation of a planning proposal, designed to expand the options currently available to landowners in permissible zones for the development of secondary dwellings in the Wagga Wagga Local Government Area (LGA).

The planning proposal seeks to facilitate an amendment to two clauses in the Wagga Wagga Local Environmental Plan 2010 to increase the maximum floor space area of secondary dwellings on both rural and non-rural land where secondary dwellings are a permissible land use.

Council resolved to forward the planning proposal to the Department of Planning, Housing & Infrastructure, requesting a gateway determination. The gateway determination will specify whether the planning proposal should proceed and what consultation with authorities, government agencies and the community is required.

RP-1   PROPOSED PLANNING PROPOSAL TO FACILITATE AN AMENDMENT TO WAGGA WAGGA LOCAL ENVIRONMENTAL PLAN 2010 CLAUSE 5.4 (9) SECONDARY DWELLINGS ON LAND OTHER THAN LAND IN A RURAL ZONE AND CLAUSE 5.5 CONTROLS RELATING T O SECONDARY DWELLINGS ON LAND IN A RURAL ZONE

Integrated Planning and Reporting documents adopted

Council endorsed several planning and reporting documents in a process that ensures legislative compliance and meeting the requirements of the Office of Local Government. The documents include:

• Delivery Program 2025/2029 and Operational Plan 2025/26 (DPOP)
• Long Term Financial Plan 2025/26
• Fees and Charges for the financial year 2025/26

The overall budget of $277.1 million adopted for the 2025/26 financial year includes a total operating expenditure budget of $163.9 million, and a capital expenditure program of $113.2 million, which features major projects such as the Lake Albert Water Sports and Events Precinct (includes pipeline) and the Southern Growth Area - Plumpton Road Project.

More information about the 2025/26 Budget is in an accompanying media release.

RP-2   INTEGRATED PLANNING AND REPORTING (IP&R) - ADOPTION OF DOCUMENTS

Draft Local Housing Strategy to go on public exhibition

Council endorsed placing the Draft Wagga Wagga Local Housing Strategy and Draft Interim Affordable Housing Paper on public exhibition for a period of 28 days from 30 June 2025, and to invite public submissions until 1 August 2025.

After the public exhibition period a further report will be presented addressing any submissions made in respect of the Draft Local Housing Strategy (LHS) and Draft Interim Affordable Housing Paper.

The LHS provides a clear pathway forward for residential development in Wagga Wagga for the next 20 years. It identifies the supply of, and demand for, housing, as well as the diversity and affordability of housing in Wagga Wagga, and shows the locations where future housing is preferred in the LGA.

RP-3   DRAFT WAGGA WAGGA LOCAL HOUSING STRATEGY

Sublease for Light Aircraft Precinct Hangar

Council agreed to assign the airport sub-lease over Light Aircraft Precinct Hangar Site 7 to Larrup Pty Ltd as Trustee for Obst Investment Trust and to delegate authority to the General Manager or their delegate to execute any necessary documentation on behalf of Council.

RP-4 PROPOSED ASSIGNMENT OF SUBLEASE - LIGHT AIRCRAFT PRECINCT HANGAR 7, WAGGA WAGGA AIRPORT

Classification of land on Ashfords Road

Council agreed in principle to classify the land described as Lot 2 in Deposited Plan 1143881 and identified as 232 Ashfords Road, adjacent to the Gregadoo Waste Management Centre, as operational land in accordance with section 31(2) of the Local Government Act 1993.

The proposal will be on public exhibition for a period of 28 days during which time the public may make submissions. Upon completion of the public exhibition, Council will receive a further report addressing any submissions received.

RP-5   INITIAL CLASSIFICATION OF LAND - LOT 2 IN DEPOSITED PLAN 1143881, BEING 232 ASHFORDS ROAD, GREGADOO

Financial performance report as at 31 May 2025

Council approved the Financial Performance Report as at 31 May 2025, approving the budget variations and noting the balanced budget position.

The budget variation affecting the 2024/25 financial year is a $64,000 funding grant under the Office of Local Government’s Fresh Start Program for Local Government Apprentices to cover the first six months wages for five trainees/apprentices who have been employed by Council.

Council also approved the following budget variations to the Long Term Financial Plan Capital Works Program:

• $15,000 in NSW EPA grant funds under the Scrap Together Grant Program to fund a direct mail out to 28,000 homes within the LGA regarding changes to the FOGO (Food Organics and Garden Organics) bins.
• $99,000 from Council’s Solid Waste Reserve to support community education campaigns to reduce contamination in our FOGO and recycling waste streams.
• $124,000 for the purchase of a Polystyrene Machine & Conveyor at the Gregadoo Waste Management Centre, through funding support from an $84,000 NSW EPA grant and $40,000 from Council’s Solid Waste Reserve.

RP-6   FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE REPORT AS AT 31 MAY 2025

New fees and charges for 2025/26

Council agreed to place new fees for 2025/26 for the use of Sportsground Lighting at Norman Duck Oval, San Isidore, and a new fee for Council-led festival, event site fees and use of event infrastructure/resources on public exhibition for a period of 28 days from 24 June to 22 July 2025 to allow for public submissions to be received.

RP-7 PROPOSED NEW FEES AND CHARGES FOR 2025/26)

Outstanding debts written off

Council authorised the write off of $15,610.95 in total for five (5) debts deemed unrecoverable in accordance with Clause 131 of the Local Government Act.

RP-8 OUTSTANDING DEBTS DEEMED UNRECOVERABLE - PROPOSED WRITE OFF LIST

Waste disposal subsidies for charity organisations

Council endorsed the annual 2025/26 Financial Assistance Subsidy for waste disposal for the total amount of $5,700 for nine charities. 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-9 APPLICATIONS FOR SUBSIDY FOR WASTE DISPOSAL FOR CHARITY ORGANISATIONS

LMC Canteen and Airport Café update

Council has endorsed a trial hospitality model for the Livestock Marketing Centre Canteen and Airport Cafe, allowing Council officers to provide services at both sites for up to three years. The current tenant at the Airport Cafe will not be renewing their lease, which expires on 30 June, and Council will postpone seeking a new tenant until tenure is secured through the finalisation of the airport head lease.

The Expression of Interest for the Livestock Marketing Centre Canteen will be cancelled pending upgrades to facilities.

Further reports will be provided to Council during the trial to assess outcomes and determine future options.

CONF-1 UPDATE REPORT - LMC CANTEEN & AIRPORT CAFE