INFORMATION ONLY MATTERS:
INVESTMENT UNDER SECTION 625 OF THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT ACT - AUGUST 2024: Council noted the information in the reports highlighting Councils investments for August 2024 and September 2024.
2023/2024 ANNUAL REPORT - DUBBO REGIONAL COUNCIL AND STATE OF OUR REGION REPORT - DUBBO REGION 2021-2024: Council noted the 2023/2024 Annual Report and 2021/2024 State of the Region Report, with copies of each report to be published on Council’s website no later than 30 November as well as made available in the Dubbo and Wellington Council Administration Buildings and libraries. The reports highlight actions during the past year and past term of Council respectively and are requirements of the Local Government Integrated Planning and Reporting Guidelines.
MONTHLY REPORTING SNAPSHOT FOR COUNCILLORS - SEPTEMBER 2024: Council noted the high-level report snapshots for Councillors regarding Council’s Financial Performance, Facility Performance and Customer Experience.
ANNUAL REPORT ON COMPLAINT STATISTICS UNDER COUNCIL'S CODE OF CONDUCT - 2023/2024 REPORTING PERIOD: Council noted the information in the report which highlighted the quarterly and annual number of Code of Conduct Complaints Received and the costs. In the final year of the Council term, there were 4 complaints received, totalling $13,868.25. The statistics will be reported to the Office of Local Government in line with requirements.
NOTICES OF MOTION:
24 HOUR POLICE PRESENCE IN WELLINGTON: Council noted concern within the Wellington community about the lack of a 24-hour police presence. The elected body will invite the Orana Mid West Police District Superintendent to meet with them and hear about the community concern. A representative with BOCSAR will also be invited to present to Council on crime statistics and trends. A further report will be provided by the CEO detailing options for next steps to obtain better policing in Wellington, including any considerations that can be made within the draft Community Safety and Crime Prevention Plan under development.
REINSTATEMENT OF THE VILLAGES COMMITTEE: Council called for the CEO to provide a report to the November Council meeting on the reinstatement of the Villages Committee to ensure full representation for all villages.
175TH ANNIVERSARY OF DUBBO: Council called for a celebration of the 175th anniversary of Dubbo to be included at the Dubbo Day event, which is to be held on 21 November 2024.
VILLAGE ROADSHOW PROGRAM: Council called for the CEO to prepare a report for the November 2024 Council meeting outlining a potential schedule and budget for a Village Roadshow Program, to facilitate feedback opportunities and foster stronger relationships and dialogue among village residents, councillors and executive staff.
COMMUNITY FUNDING: Council called for a review of all existing funding programs and consider, as part of the review, the establishment of a single Community Fund with an annual budget allocation of $250,000. The review should ensure a streamlined, transparent and user-friendly application process for community funding and develop and adopt guidelines for the proposed Community Fund using previous eligibility criteria.
FINANCIAL REPORTING: Council called for a comprehensive review of the accounting practices and reporting requirements for all council-operated business unit, ensuring the review delivers an accurate representation of the financial performance of each business unit to facilitate improved strategic decision making and enhanced long-term sustainability. The review will include evaluation of internal overhead allocation, assess internal charges applied to Council-operated businesses and review the current fixed dividend structure.
CONTINUATION OF MEMBERSHIP OF ASSOCIATED LG ORGANISATIONS: Council will maintain membership and participation in seven organisations, with the ongoing membership and participation in each organisation to be reviewed with a report to be brought to Council before the expiration of the current term of Council.
NEWELL HIGHWAY BYPASS DUBBO: Council noted a strategic study is required to examine the need for a Newell Highway Bypass of West Dubbo, including analysis of possible route locations, integration with existing road networks and future development. The CEO will provide a report that considers the costs of undertaking the body of work, any impact on existing work activities, the relationship with the City-Wide Traffic Model and steps moving forward including timing for completion of the work.
FEASIBILITY AND ESTIMATED COSTS OF EXTENDING TOWN WATER SUPPLY MUMBIL TO STUART TOWN: Council called for a feasibility and options analysis for the provision of town water (potable) to the Stuart Town village to be included as part of the 2025-2029 Four Year Delivery Plan, with the analysis to be undertaken in the 2025/2026 financial year.
REPORTS FROM STAFF:
PRESENTATION OF COUNCIL’S 2023/2024 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS: Council accepted the General Purpose Financial Statement and the Special Purpose Financial Statement, which will now be signed. The annual financial statement and auditors report for the year end 30 June 2024 will also be displayed to community.
PLANNING PROPOSAL - COUNCIL-OWNED ROAD CLOSURE AS EXEMPT DEVELOPMENT: Council adopted the planning proposal to amend the Dubbo Regional Local Environmental Plan 2022 to make the subdivision of a Council-owned Road for the purposes of a road closure.
DRAFT PLANNING AGREEMENT - WELLINGTON SOUTH BATTERY ENERGY STORAGE SYSTEM: Council will enter into a Planning Agreement, noting there was no submissions during public exhibition.
HOUSING FOR OUR FUTURE - COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT UPDATE: Council noted the report which showed consultants have been engaged to prepare the strategies and undertake community consultation, with staff to project manage consultants to ensure final outputs are met in requirements. Consultation will be undertaken in the last three months of the year to understand the community’s housing priorities, goals and issues for the region. The results of this engagement will be presented to Council in February 2025.
DELEGATION OF AUTHORITY TO THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER: Council adopted the report regarding the delegation of Authority to the CEO and noted the use of extended delegations by CEO during the period of 14 September and 2 October, 2024.
Council also provided Power of Attorney to the CEO Murray Wood.
REVIEW OF DETERMINATION - 35 LOT SUBDIVISION - 4L CAMP ROAD DUBBO: Councillors approved modified DA. The application was approved to incorporate the amended condition stated in the report and the relocated driveway.
FOOTPATHS IN DUBBO AND WELLINGTON: Councillors noted the information which noted the works being undertaken as part of the adopted 2024/2025 Operational Plan and Budget. The report also raised awareness around the PAMP which is currently on display for the purpose of seeking community feedback.
WELLINGTON HISTORICAL SOCIETY REQUEST FOR OPERATING LOCATION(S) FOR WELLINGTON MUSEUM: Council will enter into a peppercorn lease agreement of $1 per annum for Lot 2, 5 Maughan Street, between Council and the Wellington Historical Society for a five-year term with three five-year options. Council will not enter into a lease for Lot 8, 37 Warne Street or Lot 9, 37 Warne Street. Council will assist the Wellington Historical Society in finding alternative accommodation to house their excessive collection and that the Wellington Historical Society will not be required to move the collection before alternative accommodation is found.
DUBBO AQUATIC LEISURE CENTRE - REFURBISHMENT AND UPGRADE OF 50 METRE POOL AND WATER SLIDE PLANT ROOM: Council will proceed with issuing a request for tender for the Dubbo Aquatic Leisure Centre refurbishment and upgrade to the 50-metre pool and water slide plant room, with works to be carried out during April to August 2025. The proposed cost of the project will be $1,100,100 and will be considered in the development of the 2025/2026 budget.
FORMATION OF STANDING COMMITTEES AND DETERMINATION OF MEETING DATES AND TIMES: Council will hold a meeting for standing committees for Infrastructure Development and Environment, Culture and Community and Corporate Services and an Ordinary Council meeting each month, except for January and December. The authority to approve tenders was delegated to the standing committee, however no other delegations were granted. The Standing Committee meetings will be held on the second Tuesday of each month while the Ordinary Council meeting will be held on the fourth Tuesday of each month. The meetings will be held in Dubbo, except for the Ordinary Council meetings in February, May, August and November which will be held in Wellington. Dates of the meetings have been published in the minutes.
CEO PERFORMANCE REVIEW COMMITTEE: Council determined the CEO’s Performance Review Committee will consist of the Mayor, Deputy Mayor and three Councillors who serve as Chairs of the Standing Committees.
DISCLOSURE OF INTEREST RETURNS: The report was noted, and the Disclosure of Interest Returns was tabled. It was noted that there were no failures to lodge disclosure of interest returns for the return period, and the lodged report will be placed on Council’s website, with private information redacted.
LOCAL GOVERNMENT NSW - 2024 ANNUAL CONFERENCE: The three Councillors nominated, alongside the Mayor, to act as voting delegates are Clr Butler, Clr Wright and Clr Richardson. Non-voting Councillor attendees will be Clr Cowley, Clr Toynton, Clr Dickerson and Clr Ryan. The total cost per delegate for the conference is $2,680, the total cost of the eight delegates is estimated to be $21,440.
CLASSIFICATION OF LAND UNDER THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT ACT 1993 - 74 WINGEWARRA STREET, DUBBO: Council noted the acquisition of the land and adopted the recommendation to classify it as operational land.
QUESTION ON NOTICE
UPDATE ON THE PROPOSED RECYCLE OUTLETS IN DUBBO AND WELLINGTON: Councillors noted staff were undertaking the preparation of a business case for the provision of two Reuse Shops in the Local Government Area, including one at Whylandra Waste Facility and one at the Wellington Town Centre. The business case will highlight environmental, economic and social benefits associated with the Reuse Shops. Following completion of the Business Case, Council will also undertake consultation with community and stakeholders.
AOD REHAB FACILITY: Councillors noted there had been no action to date on the resolution that opposed the establishment of a Drug and Alcohol Rehabilitation Centre at 58 Spears Drive.
DUBBO REGIONAL LIVESTOCK MARKETS UPDATE: Councillors noted that the current status of the process to deliver the Modified Status Quo model at the Dubbo Regional Livestock Markets was progressing well with the recruitment of the Manager DRLM being successfully completed. It was noted it is unlikely all necessary changes will be made by the end of December 2024 due to the processes and systems that Council needs to understand before fully implementing the changes.
MAYORAL EMPLOYMENT: Council noted the CEO had not been advised of any changes to the Mayor’s external employment.
DUKE OF WELLINGTON BRIDGE: Councillors noted the current status of the low-level bridge, the Duke of Wellington and future plans including the submission of a funding application through the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangement to Transport for NSW requesting full funding of $23,754,295.49 incl GST.
CONFIDENTIAL:
PEOPLE CULTURE AND SAFETY QUARTERLY METRICS REPORT: The information noted within the report was noted, with Councillors calling for the quarterly report to be provided to the relevant Ordinary Meeting of Council.