Councillors met at 5.30pm on 8 April 2025 for the meetings of the Dubbo Regional Council (DRC) Standing Committees. Outcomes from the Standing Committees will be taken to the Ordinary Council meeting on 22 April 2025 for consideration and adoption.
INFRASTRUCTURE, PLANNING AND ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE
DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITY SUMMARY: Councillors noted the report highlighting the monthly development activity. The report shows that the total number of dwellings approved in February 2025 was 37 including 17 single dwellings and 20 other dwellings.
DAISY HILL ESTATE - REMOVAL OF RESTRICTIVE COVENANT: Councillors recommended the removal of the clause in respect to the use of paper filters for swimming pools for current and future subdivision of land at the Daisy Hill Estate.
RENEWABLE ENERGY PROJECTS UPDATE - APRIL 2025: Councillors noted the report which highlighted the status of Renewable Energy Projects and Planning Agreements. At the time of the report six planning agreements had been executed and 14 were currently being negotiated with Proponents (of which eight are subject to a Council resolution) and one is yet to commence negotiations.
DRAFT DEVELOPMENT CONTROL PLAN - TIGER MOTH CIRCUIT: Councillors recommended the adoption of the draft Tiger Moth Circuit Development Control Plan noting the amendments following the public exhibition. The plan will come into effect once the application under the Heritage Act 1977 is granted by the Heritage Council of NSW.
DEVELOPMENT APPLICATION - 59 RESIDENTIAL LOT SUBDIVISION: Councillors noted the current status of the Miriam Hill Development Control Plan and invited the applicant to withdraw the Development Application (DA) by 2 May. If the DA is not withdrawn it will be refused because granting consent would contravene a section of the Environmental Planning Assessment Act 1979 and a clause of the Dubbo Regional Local Environment Plan 2022. The proposed development is not deemed to be in the public interest due to outstanding matters.
It was also noted the proponent has the right to lodge a request for a review of any determination of refusal in accordance with the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979.
CONFIDENTIAL: DUBBO TRANSPORTATION MODEL - PROPOSED VARIATION TO CONTRACT: Councillors endorsed the recommended for the contract for the preparation of a new transportation model for Dubbo be awarded to Stantec in the amount of $266,200 (incl. GST).
CULTURE AND COMMUNITY COMMITTEE
MAINTENANCE SERVICE LEVELS: PARKS: Councillors recommended the Maintenance Service Levels for Parks be adopted by Council. The levels explain to community how maintenance effort is allocated across the DRC Parks networks and provide a foundation from which service can be defined and performance can be measured and communicated to Council and community.
2025-2029 YOUTH ACTION PLAN: Councillors recommended the endorsement of the 2025-2029 Youth Action Plan for the purpose of public exhibition, with a report detailing the results of the public exhibition to be provided back to Council.
DUBBO REGIONAL COUNCIL SISTER CITY RELATIONSHIPS STATUS REPORT: Councillors recommended the current Sister City relationships with Minokamo (Japan) and Wujiang (China) continue with letters to re-affirm Council’s commitment to the relationship. It was also recommended the CEO write to Osawano/Toyama, Japan to determine their interest in reinvigorating the Sister City relationship with Wellington and that discussions continue with Cheong-ju, South Korea.
All other inactive Sister City relationships will be formally concluded. Councillors also recommended for the CEO to explore the possibility for student exchange and enrichment relationships with the City of Newcastle Council and adjacent councils to Newcastle and report back to Council.
CORPORATE SERVICES COMMITTEE
DRAFT 2025-2029 DELIVERY PROGRAM – REVIEW OF TOWARDS 2040 COMMUNITY STRATEGIC PLAN: Councillors noted the information in the report and recommended the draft Towards 2040 Community Strategic Plan themes as outlined in the report be endorsed to underpin the Delivery Program and Operational Plan. The draft 2025-2029 Delivery Program is to be endorsed for inclusion in the draft 2025/2026 Operational Plan and 2025-2029 Delivery Program, which will be put to Council for consideration at the April Ordinary Council meeting.
CONFIDENTIAL: TENDER FOR STOCK HANDLING AT THE DUBBO REGIONAL LIVESTOCK MARKETS: Councillors endorsed the recommendation that the contracts for Cattle Stock Handling Services, Cattle Delivery Services and Sheep Stock Handling Services be awarded to Dubbo Stock and Station Agents. The contract term shall be three years with an optional two-year extension subject to CPI increase and the CEO is delegated to approve any extension options under the contract.
CONFIDENTIAL: UPDATE ON THE RENEWABLE ENERGY AWARENESS AND CAREER TRAINING (REACT) CENTRE, WELLINGTON: Councillors noted the report, with the elements of the Business Case not deemed confidential, being the case for change, cost benefit analysis and governance, to be published with the minutes.