Councillors met at 5.30pm on 11 July 2024 for the Dubbo Regional Council Standing Committees meetings. Outcomes from the standing committees will be taken to the Ordinary Council meeting on 25 July 2024 for consideration and adoption.
COMMUNITY COMMITTEES:
Reports of the below committee meetings were noted by Council during the committee meetings:
- Report of the Wellington Town Committee – 20 May 2024
- Report of the Villages Committee – 22 May 2024
- Report of the Dubbo regional Livestock Market Advisory Committee – 4 June 2024
INFRASTRUCTURE, PLANNING AND ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE
BUILDING SUMMARY: Councillors noted the report which highlighted a total of 356 dwellings approved for the financial year 2023/2024. This is just below the 10-year annual average of 378 approved dwellings. The value of development applications approved for the financial year 2023/2024 was over $331M. This is down 12 percent on the previous financial year.
The month of June included approval of a commercial premises (shopping centre) at 2 Stream Avenue Dubbo valued at $24.8M, the Wiradjuri Tourism Centre at 2 Coronation Drive Dubbo valued at $14.4M and a school building (Dubbo Christian School) at 141 Sheraton Road Dubbo valued at $6M.
2024 DUBBO STAMPEDE RUNNING FESTIVAL - TEMPORARY ROAD CLOSURE: Council noted the application of the Dubbo Running Festival Committee Incorporated for the undertaking of the 2024 Dubbo Stampede Running Event on Sunday 25 August 2024, between 6.15am and 1pm. This will include temporary road closures on Obley Rd and Tamworth St, west of South Street.
PROPOSED HEAVY VEHICLE HAULAGE ROUTE FOR SOUTH EAST DUBBO: Councillors discussed the adoption of a suitable interim and long-term haulage route for heavy vehicles generated from the three heavy industry developments on Sheraton Road.
Councillors noted the recommendation for Sheraton Road (between Boundary Road and Wellington Road) as the primary haulage route outside of peak school drop off and pick up periods. This is reflective of recent road safety findings that reported several high-risk issues for the proposed route through Blueridge estate, some of which are difficult to mitigate. This includes the potential high risks identified in the road safety findings for the intersection of Blueridge Drive and the Mitchell Highway. These risks come from the proposed high volume of traffic turning across the highway at the intersection.
The road safety findings from Sheraton Road indicated a number of congestion-based issues that can be mitigated and will support improved safety. It is recommended that Council allow heavy haulage vehicles to utilise Boundary Road and Wheelers Lane during peak school times.
Educational institutions on Sheraton Road have been informed of the recommendation for the primary heavy haulage route.
Council has applied for funding under stream two of the Federal Government Regional Precincts and Partnerships Program for the construction of the proposed stages 1 and 2 of the Southern Distributor Road. If successful, Council proposes to restrict haulage on Boundary Road/Wheelers Lane and adopt the alternative Blueridge heavy haulage route during school peak times when trucks are prohibited on Sheraton Road.
DRAFT PLANNING AGREEMENT VPA23-004 - ORANA BATTERY ENERGY STORAGE SYSTEM - RESULTS OF PUBLIC EXHIBITION: Council noted the three submissions received during the public exhibition period. It was recommended Council enter into a Planning Agreement with Wellington Battery ProjectCo Pty Ltd or an associated entity of the same.
CULTURE AND COMMUNITY COMMITTEE
CONFIDENTIAL: TENDER FOR IRRIGATION SYSTEM RENEWAL FOR PIONEER PARK, WELLINGTON: Councillors approved the irrigation system renewal for Pioneer Park in Wellington be awarded to Aqua West Pumping Specialists for the price of $320,330 excluding GST.
CORPORATE SERVICES COMMITTEE
MONTHLY REPORTING SNAPSHOT FOR COUNCILLORS – JUNE 2024: Councillors noted the report which provides high level data, statistics and commentary.
INVESTMENT UNDER SECTION 625 OF THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT ACT - JUNE 2024: Councillors noted the information contained within the report.
2024/2024 PROPOSED TWO WEEK SHUTDOWN: Councillors recommended to endorse the the two-week closure period of Monday 23 December 2024 to Friday 3 January 2025 inclusive.
UPDATE ON INVESTIGATIONS ON POTENTIAL BOUNDARY ALTERATION: NORTH YEOVAL: Councillors noted the information in the report. A further report including the results of the public exhibition process will be provided to Council for consideration.
AUSTRALIA DAY CEREMONIES FOR JANUARY 2025: It was noted for the Australia Day civic ceremony and event for Wellington will be held at 6:30pm on Friday 24 January 2025 at Cameron Park and the Australia Day civic ceremony and event for Dubbo will be held at 6:30pm on Saturday 25 January 2025. An expression of interest process be undertaken to form an Australia Day Event Committees for Dubbo and Wellington.
QUARTERLY REPORT ON COMPLAINT STATISTICS UNDER COUNCIL'S CODE OF CONDUCT: Council noted the information contained within the report.
COUNCIL POLICY - PRIVACY MANAGEMENT PLAN - RESULTS OF PUBLIC EXHIBITION PERIOD: Council noted that the Draft Privacy Management Plan attached to the report as Appendix 1 be adopted and that the Draft Privacy Management Plan be provided to the Privacy Commissioner once it has been formally adopted.