Councillors met at 5.30pm on 15 August 2024 for the Dubbo Regional Council Ordinary Council meeting. This is the final meeting for the Council term ahead of the Local Government Elections.
The next Ordinary Meeting of Council will be held on 24 October 2024, following the election and the appointment of a new elected body.
During the meeting the following outcomes were made:
INFORMATION ONLY MATTERS:
2023/2024 DELIVERY PROGRAM AND OPERATIONAL PLAN – FINAL PROGRESS REPORT: Councillors noted the report which detailed the progress on implementing the 2023/2024 Delivery Program and Operational Plan. The report highlighted that 79 per cent of actions were completed, 14 per cent of actions are on target, 2 per cent of actions are off target, 4 per cent of actions are deferred and 1 action was cancelled.
REGIONAL EXPRESS UNDER VOLUNTARY ADMINISTRATION: IMPACTS ON DUBBO REGIONAL AIRPORT: Councillors noted the report which highlighted the impacts to Dubbo Regional Airport (DRA) following Regional Express going into voluntary administration. Regional Express have outstanding accounts with DRA to the value of $527,150 (including GST) for passenger fees and security screening charges at the time of the voluntary administration announcement. The July 2024 accounts raised after the announcement has been raised to a value of $131,389.70. The DRA attended a meeting with the creditors on 9 August, 2024.
MATTERS CONSIDERED BY COMMITTEES:
The below reports were adopted by Council:
- Report of the Wellington Town Committee – meeting 15 July 2024
- Report of the Villages Committee – Meeting 17 July 2024
- Report of the Youth Council – Meeting 6 August 2024
NOTICES OF MOTION:
FOOTPATHS IN DUBBO AND WELLINGTON: Councillors called for the CEO to provide a report to the December 2024 Ordinary Meeting of Council that details the work being undertaken to understand the demand for and the gaps in the provision of footpaths in Dubbo and Wellington and details of the planning Council uses to ensure the provision of footpaths in new subdivision developments.
REPORTS FROM STAFF:
REPATRIATION OF AXE GRINDING GROOVE ROCKS IN WIRADJURI PARK: Council noted the axe grinding groove rocks located in Wiradjuri Park are required to remain in place as art of the New Dubbo Bridge and associated works undertaken by Transport for NSW. Council will start the repatriation process with the consultation and approvals to be undertaken by Council.
BALLIMORE FLOOD STUDY: Council adopted the Ballimore Flood Study (Volume 1) and the Ballimore Flood Mapping Compendium (Volume 3). It was determined in the interim that the defined flood event (DFE) shall be the one percent annual exceedance probability (AEP) event, a flood planning level of the DFE +0.5metres freeboard shall be applied to all new dwellings proposed and all new dwellings shall have a suspended floor system (no slab on ground) and be designed such that future house raising is possible. The interim development controls will apply until the Ballimore Flood Risk Management Study and Plan is adopted by Council, at which point the resulting control measures adopted.
DEVELOPMENT APPLICATION D23-628, RESIDENTIAL SUBDIVISION: The development application for the residential subdivision was approved subject to conditions outlined in the report.
PLANNING PROPOSAL R23-007 - 20L ROCKY ROAD, DUBBO: Council adopted the planning proposal which will change the minimum lot size area for part of 20L Rocky Road Dubbo from 20ha to 8ha. Council noted the submissions received during the public exhibition period and will prepare drafting instructions and liaise with the NSW Government to arrange finalisation of the proposed amendment to the Dubbo Regional Local Environmental Plan 2022.
PLANNING PROPOSAL R24-002 - ZONING AND MINIMUM LOT SIZE AREA AMENDMENTS TO PART OF KESWICK ESTATE: Council endorsed the planning proposal to change zoning in Keswick Estate from Low Density Residential to General Residential and remove the existing minimum lot size area provisions for approximately 10ha of the land. Council noted the Strategic and Site-specific assessment and will submit a planning proposal to the NSW Government for a gateway determination requesting it includes a condition that a Stormwater Strategy be prepared before the public and state agency consultation. Council will request the department to be the local plan making authority and supports a minimum 20 works days public exhibition period for the planning proposal. Following the completion of the public exhibition a further report will be presented to Council.
PLANNING PROPOSALS R22-005 AND R22-006 - 13L NARROMINE ROAD DUBBO: Council determined to not proceed with the planning proposals for 13L Narromine Road, due to the unresolved Transport for NSW objection. Council noted the submissions received during the public exhibition period and will prepare a city-wide strategic transportation model and infrastructure contributions plan to address the requirements of the Transport for NSW objection. Following the preparation of the plan the proposal will undertake additional consultation before being presented to Council.
FEDERAL GOVERNMENT HOUSING SUPPORT PROGRAM - STREAM 1: Councillors noted the information in the report.
DRAFT 2024-2034 WASTE STRATEGY: Council adopted the draft 2024-2034 Waste Strategy for the purpose of public exhibition. The strategy will be placed on public exhibition for 28 days and a further report will be provided to Council following the public exhibition.
ADOPTION OF 2024/2026 WATER SUPPLY AND SEWERAGE CUSTOMER SERVICE PLAN: Council adopted the 2024/2026 Water Supply and Sewerage Service Plan.
RENAMING OF THE LEGACY SHARED PATHWAY: Councillors adopted the name Tracker Riley for the Legacy Shared Pathway. The existing formed and maintained provider road will be named the Tracker Riley Promenade and the proposed road name will be notified on Council’s website and Government Authorities. The approved name will also be gazetted.
VICTORIA PARK AMENITIES: Council deferred the item to the October 2024 Ordinary Meeting of Council to allow further information to be gathered.
TREE PRESERVATION ORDER: Council decided that further consideration of the Tree Preservation Order will be undertaken by the incoming Council following the September 2024 Election.
2024/2025 EVENT ASSISTANCE PROGRAM: Council endorsed the recommendations from the Event Assessment Panel, with the organisations to receive money being: Teej Festival (Dubbo Nepalese Community Australia (Inc) ($800); Under Western Skies (Songwriters and Original Musicians Association Dubbo Inc) $3,000; Dubbo Multicultural Event (Central West Muslims Association Inc) $2,000; Geurie Lions Christmas Carols (Lions Club of Geurie Inc) $100; Carols by Candlelight (Rotary Club of Dubbo West Inc) $600; Holi Festival of Colours (Orana Residents of Indian Sub Continental Heritage) $1,500; Man from Ironbark Festival (Stuart Town Advancement Association Inc) $2,000; Orana K9 Training Club Dog Obedience Trials $500
Council endorsed the recommendation from the assessment panel for the Destination Events Fund, with the events to receive money being: Wellington Boot (Wellington Race Club) $5,000; Stock Route Music Festival (Lazy River Estate) $5,000; Dubbo Eisteddfod (Dubbo Eisteddfod Inc) $5,000; Dubbo Winter Whiskey Festival (RJTP Pty Ltd) $3,000; Cross Cultural Carnival (Orana Residents of Indian Sub-Continental Heritage Inc) $2,000; Dubbo MotorFest (Dubbo Motorcyclists and Drivers Club Inc) $5,000.
COMMUNITY SERVICES FUND 2024/2025 ROUND 1: Council will allocate $81,894.60 to community- organisations Dubbo Show Society Inc $42,790; Dubbo Melanoma March Group $5,000; Western Region Academy of Sport $3,523; Orana Education & Training Co-Operative $6,000; ORISCON Inc $2,500; Wiradjuri Wellington Aboriginal Town Common $2,081.60; U3A Dubbo Chapter Inc $5,000; Dubbo and District Can Assist $15,000. Surplus funds remaining from the round will be rolled over tow the second round of the Community Services Fund.
2025/2026 DESTINATION PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM FEES AND CHARGES: Council adopted the charges for the 2025/2026 Destination Partnership Program, with the existing Visitor Information Centre Partnership Program to be absorbed into the Destination Partnership Program.
CENTRAL-WEST ORANA RENEWABLE ENERGY ZONE -COMMUNITY AND EMPLOYMENT BENEFIT PROGRAM: The CEO will submit an application for the Central-West Orana Renewable Energy Zone Community Employment Benefit Program and the priority project will be the Renewable Energy Awareness and Career Training Centre subject to a positive and supportive feasibility study.
EXTRAORDINARY MEETING OF COUNCIL 5 SEPTEMBER 2024 - DRAFT FINANCIAL STATEMENTS: An extraordinary council meeting will be held on Thursday 5 September 2024 at 12pm for the purpose of adopting the draft financial statements to be referred to the NSW Audit Office and consideration of Development Applications that are consistent with caretaker permissions.
QUESTIONS ON NOTICE - 3D PRINTED TOILET BLOCK SIGNAGE: The cost of the manufacture and installation of the sign at the 3D printed toilet block was $918 (exc GST) and excluding internal costs of the design. Those involved in the input into the information included on the sign include Building Services, Recreation and Open Space, Communication Services and Marketing and Creative Services. The final sign design and text was approved by the Community Culture and Places division.
QUESTIONS ON NOTICE - COST OF RENAMING DUBBO MACQUARIE RIVER SHARED PATHWAY: The cost of re-naming process for the Dubbo Macquarie Shared Pathway has been $1,500 with the funds used for promotional purposes including printed media and radio. A search of the GNB data base indicates that there is no name currently associated with the area referred to as the Dubbo Macquarie River Shared Pathway? It appears that the Tracker Riley Shared Pathway is not a formally gazetted name.
CONFIDENTIAL:
DRAFT PLANNING AGREEMENT - SANDY CREEK SOLAR FARM: Council will negotiate a Voluntary Planning Agreement with Lightsource BP at 1.5 per cent of the Capital Investment Value of the final Sandy Creek Solar Farm project. The Voluntary Planning Agreement to be negotiated is for the overall project with Council to receive funds based on pro rata of the project undertaken in the Region. A further report will be presented to Council for consideration, including the proposed terms of the draft agreement and associated operating model.
QUOTATION FOR THE SUPPLY AND DELIVERY OF TWO 6X4 ROAD MAINTENANCE TRUCKS: Council approved the quotation from Ausroad Manufacturing to supply two Isuzu FXY240-350 trucks fitted with Jetmaster patching bodies for the purchase price of $1,346,035 (excludes GST). Plants 159 and 2153 will be valued for trade-in prices and auction estimates on handover of the replacement trucks.
SAXA ROAD/COMOBELLA CROSSING REPLACEMENT PROJECT - LAND ACQUISITION: Council approved the compulsory acquisition of the lot identified in the body of this report and, upon acquisition, classify the land as operational, and dedicate such land as public road reserve. Council delegated power to the CEO to negotiate, finalise, and execute any applications, notices, documents and compensation claims required to be executed as part of the process.
CONSTRUCTION OF NEW RIVER STREET WEST COLLECTOR ROAD STAGE 1 - TENDER RECOMMENDATION: Council awarded the construction of the new River Street West Collector Road Stage 1 to Maas Civil Pty Ltd for the amount of $8,472,291.90 (incl GST), with the CEO delegated to approve extension options and variations for this contract, subject to budget limitations.
DUBBO REGIONAL AIRPORT SECURITY SCREENING TENDER: Council awarded the contract for the supply of passenger baggage and cargo screening services for Dubbo Regional Airport be awarded to Trident Services Australia for the price of $1,697,754 ex GST.
MACQUARIE RIVER EVENT PRECINCT CONSTRUCTION TENDER: Council declined to accept any tenders received for the construction of the Macquarie River Event Precinct due to the need to ensure the most cost-effective and high-quality solution for the community and the fact that the current tenders do not fully meet the project requirements and budget constraints. Council will enter into negotiations with the preferred tenderer Stanaway, trading as David Payne Constructions, with a view to entering into a contract in relation to the subject matter of the tender.