Councillors met at 5.30pm on 11 February 2025 for the Dubbo Regional Council Standing Committees meetings. Outcomes from the standing committees will be taken to the Ordinary Council meeting on 25 February 2025 for consideration and adoption.
INFRASTRUCTURE, PLANNING AND ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE
HOUSING FOR OUR FUTURE - INSIGHTS FROM PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT: Councillors noted the information in the report, which highlighted insights from the consultation that was undertaken in October, November and December of 2024. Insights included a desire for more medium density housing, a greater variety of minimum lot sizes in large lot residential land, a reluctance to build dwelling types that aren’t “proven” to be profitable, the expectation for Council to play a greater role in addressing housing challenges and balancing the growth of our Villages
DRAFT PLANNING PROPOSAL POLICY: Council recommended the draft planning proposal policy be adopted for the purpose of public exhibition, which will be undertaken for 28 days before a report is brought back to Council for consideration. The policy provides advice to the community on Planning Proposal categories and the application of Council’s tiered fee structure.
DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITY SUMMARY: Councillors noted the report which showed the total number of dwellings approved in December was 23 including 9 single dwellings and 14 other dwellings. The NSW State Government Department of Planning Housing and Infrastructure places Dubbo at the top of the league table comparing DA assessments for inland regional cities.
DUKE OF WELLINGTON BRIDGE - FLOOD DAMAGE REPAIR FUNDING: Councillors recommended a formal representation be made to the NSW Minister for Regional Transport and Roads seeking the Minister’s support to provide funding for Council to undertake flood damage repairs to re-open the Duke of Wellington Bridge.
They also recommended the bridge remain open as a pedestrian bridge and the pathway is monitored against further erosion, noting pedestrian access may be discontinued if the riverbank conditions deteriorate.
BULKY WASTE TRIAL UPDATE REPORT: Councillors noted the report, and noted a further report will be provided in April for consideration on the results of the trial.
CONFIDENTIAL: ANNUAL BITUMEN RESEALING PROGRAM 2024/2025 – TENDER RECOMMENDATION: Councillors resolved that the contract for the annual bitumen resealing program be awarded to Austek Sprayseal Pty Ltd for an upper limit amount of $1,835,339 (incl GST).
CULTURE AND COMMUNITY COMMITTEE
FUTURE MANAGEMENT OF THE FOWLER STEAM ENGINE: Councillors recommended that the Fowler Steam Engine be managed as part of Council’s Fleet and Depot Services Unit within the Infrastructure Division.
MACQUARIE REGIONAL LIBRARY OPERATIONAL REPORT JULY 2024 TO DECEMBER 2024: Councillors noted the Macquarie Regional Library Performance Report for July 2024 to December 2024 and nominated Clr Cowley to be the authorised representative on the NSW Public Libraries Association for the Macquarie Regional Library to attend meetings and other forums as required.
VICTORIA PARK AMENITIES - CONSULTANT RECOMMENDATION: Council notes the consultant recommends the new amenity block is built in front of the western facing wall of the Dubbo Aquatic Leisure Centre.
Council recommends an open tender be advertised for a new Victoria Park Amenity Block, that, as a minimum, fits the allocated 14m x 4.3m space, has the same number of toilets as the existing amenities, includes a unisex parenting room with adult and junior toilet, provides disabled accessible toilet, has a privacy screen and internal and external wash basin facilities.
Council recommends a new compliant accessible pathway be constructed linking the Aquatic Leisure Centre carpark, the new amenities block and the playground as funds allow and additional lighting also be installed as funds allow. It is also recommended the new amenity block e constructed using materials that have an extended life cycle and low recurrent maintenance costs, reflective of the heritage of the site and in an energy efficient manner.
It was recommended that the suggested design be reported to a future Council Meeting for adoption.
CONFIDENTIAL: TENDER FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF TEAMSTERS PARK MULTI-USE COURTS: Council resolved that L-Don Sporting be awarded the re-construction of Teamsters Park Multi-use Courts for $335,115 (incl GST).
CORPORATE SERVICES COMMITTEE
024/2025 DELIVERY PROGRAM AND OPERATIONAL PLAN - PROGRESS REPORT - 1 JULY TO 31 DECEMBER 2024: Councillors noted the 2024/2025 Delivery Program and Operational Plan progress report. The report highlighted the 191 actions, of which 5 per cent are completed and 90 per cent are on target.
VISITOR INFORMATION SERVICES REVIEW UPDATE: Councillors noted the report which highlighted a five-month data collection period and provided key insights into the data.
2024/2025 FESTIVE SEASON CLOSURE - CHRISTMAS NEW YEAR PERIOD: Councillors noted the report and recommended endorsement of a two-week closure period as standard practice for future Christmas and New Year festive periods.
DETERMINATION OF COUNCILLOR REPRESENTATION ON COUNCIL COMMUNITY COMMITTEES:
- Clr Ryan, Clr Butler, Clr Ivey and Clr Toynton will represent Council on the Wellington Town Committee with Clr Ivey named as Chairperson.
- Clr Chowdhury, Clr Toynton, Clr Ryan, and Clr Richardson will represent Council on the Villages Committee with Clr Toynton named as Chairperson.
- Clr Wells and Clr Cowley will represent Council on the Youth Council with Clr Wells named as Chairperson
- Clr Ivey and Clr Black will represent Council on the Renewable Energy Zone Benefit Committee, with Clr Ivey named as Chairperson
- Clr Chowdhury and Clr Wright will represent Council on the Sister City Committee with Clr Wright named as Chairperson
- Clr Wright and Clr Chowdhury will represent Council on the Multicultural Advisory Committee with Clr Chowdhury named as Chairperson
The above representation will be for the Council term and expressions of interest will remain open for the Renewable Energy Zone Benefit Committee and Multicultural Advisory Committee until the committees are functioning as intended.
DRAFT COUNCIL POLICY - CODE OF MEETING PRACTICE - RESULTS OF PUBLIC EXHIBITION: Council recommended that the draft Council Policy Code of Meeting Practice be adopted following the public exhibition that has been completed.
DRAFT COUNCIL POLICY - PAYMENT OF EXPENSES AND PROVISION OF FACILITIES FOR THE MAYOR AND COUNCILLORS - RESULTS OF PUBLIC EXHIBITION: Council recommended that the draft Council Policy, Payment of Expenses and Provision of Facilities for the Mayor and Councillors be adopted following the public exhibition that has been completed.
CONFIDENTIAL: DUBBO REGIONAL AIRPORT AIRLINE REGULAR PASSENGER TRANSPORT (RPT) FEES AND CHARGES 2025/2026: Councillors recommended the draft 2025/2026 Fees and Charges reflect an increase of 2.9 per cent for Passenger Fees and Charges at Dubbo Regional Airport, to $20.01 and an increase of 2.9% for Regular Passenger Transport Passenger Fees per passenger for Western Ports at Dubbo Regional Airport, to $4.47.
If adopted at the Ordinary Council meeting, the CEO will formally advise all airlines of proposed Passenger Fees and Charges.