OUTCOMES FROM THE MARCH 2025 ORDINARY COUNCIL MEETING

Council met at 5.30pm on Tuesday 25 March 2025 in Dubbo for the March Ordinary Council meeting. During the meeting the following outcomes were made:

Information Only Matters:

MAYORAL APPOINTMENTS AND MEETINGS: Council noted the mayoral appointments and meetings for the period 3 February 2025 through to 2 March 2025.

MAYORAL EXPENSES – FEBRUARY 2025: Council noted the report which highlighted mayoral expenses for the period between 3 February 2025 and 2 March 2025.

INVESTMENT UNDER SECTION 625 OF THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT ACT – FEBRUARY 2025: Council noted the investments of Council as outlined in the report. Council’s total investment Portfolio Face Value as of 28 February 2025 was $304,393,234.18.

MONTHLY REPORTING SNAPSHOT FOR COUNCILLORS – FEBRUARY 2025: Council noted the information in the report which provides high-level snapshots for Councillors regarding Council’s Financial Performance, Facility Performance and Customer Experience Performance. It was highlighted that at the end of February 2025, 75 Community consultation or engagement projects were active on the YourSay platform, with 25 of these being active capital works projects. It was also highlighted that diversion of waste away from landfill is increasing.

OUTSTANDING ACTIONS FROM COUNCIL AND COMMITTEES: Councillors noted the information in the report which allows the elected body to review and monitor progress of past resolutions.

QUARTERLY REPORT ON COMPLAINT STATISTICS UNDER COUNCIL’S CODE OF CONDUCT – QUARTER 2: Council noted the report which provides information on Code of Conduct complaints received against Councillors and the Chief Executive Officer. One complaint was received for the period.

Matters considered by committees: 

Reports of the below committees were adopted by Council:

• Report of the Audit, Risk and Improvement Committee - meeting 17 March 2025.  
• Report of the Infrastructure, Planning and Environment Committee - meeting 11 March 2025.
• Report of the Culture and Community Committee - meeting 11 March 2025.
• Report of the Corporate Services Committee - meeting 11 March 2025

Except for the following item:

DETERMINATION OF COUNCILLOR REPRESENTATION ON COUNCIL COMMUNITY COMMITTEES: Councillor representatives were determined for each of the Council Community Committees:

• Wellington Town Committee: Councillors A. Ryan, L Butler, R Ivey and P Toynton
• Villages Committee: Councillors S. Chowdhury, P Toynton, A. Ryan and K. Richardson
• Youth Council: Councillors P Wells and J Cowley.
• Renewable Energy Zone Benefit Committee: Councillors R Ivey and J Black
• Sister City Committee: Councillors S Chowdhury and M Wright.
• Multicultural Advisory Committee: Councillors M Wright and S Chowdhury

Notices of Motion:

AUSTRALIA DAY CEREMONY 2026 – WELLINGTON AND DUBBO: Council moved that the consideration of the dates and locations will be determined at the Ordinary Council meeting in July 2025.

CHILDCARE SECTOR IN DUBBO REGIONAL COUNCIL LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA: A report will be provided to Council that outlines the challenges facing the Dubbo Region community in accessing childcare services, the sector’s ability to recruit and retain the skilled workers required by legislation, and a SWOT analysis of DRC’s childcare services.

IMPROVING URBAN TREE CANOPY: A report will be provided to Council that outlines the strategic mechanisms currently in place, and being considered for the future, to improve urban tree canopy cover within the region.

STREET NAMES WIRADJURI TRANSLATIONS: A report will be provided to Council that identifies any further appropriate street names in proximity to the Dubbo or Wellington CBD that have Aboriginal origins, recommends any additional signage for existing and new street names as identified, and provides costing estimates for the new street signs.

HOMELESSNESS IN THE DUBBO LGA: Council agreed that, through the Community Safety and Crime Prevention Reference Group, the CEO work with agencies and Non-Government Organisations, including Councillor representation to consider the current homeless challenges in Dubbo Region and develop innovative options to address the level of homelessness in the LGA and particularly rough sleepers on the central Dubbo and river corridor area. Council also supported the call by The Foyer Foundation for Government financial support to establish a Youth Foyer in Dubbo and in this regard formal correspondence be provided to parties contesting the upcoming Federal election seeking financial support commitments.

AUDIT OF TREES WITHIN THE LGA: Council moved that the results of previous audits of Council’s urban street trees and the Street Tree Master Plans be provided to Councillors as part of their consideration of the draft 2025-2026 Operational Plan and associated budget, and that costings be developed for street tree and park tree activities to be considered as part of the draft 2025-26 to 2028-29 four-year budget.  

Council also moved the introduction of a community tree planting program to be held four times per annum over four years.

Reports from staff:

COMMUNITY SERVICES FUND 2024/2025 ROUND 2: Council endorsed the allocation $ 84,987.59 to community groups Burrendong Arboretum Land Manager, Dubbo Environment Group, Western Cancer Centre Foundation Ltd, Emmanuel Care Centre Incorporation, Boys to the Bush Ltd, Dubbo & District Parent Support Group for Deaf/Hearing Impaired, Rotary Club of Dubbo Macquarie (Inc) in Community Partnership with Dubbo Dementia Alliance, Marradhali Aboriginal Corporation, and Lifeline Central West Inc.

2025 - 2029 COMMUNITY SAFETY AND CRIME PREVENTION PLAN: Council endorsed the 2025 – 2029 Community Safety and Crime Prevention Plan.

MOWER ALLOCATION TO INCORPORATED BODIES WITHIN THE VILLAGES: Council moved to provide the opportunity to an incorporated body within the villages participating in the Villages Committee to purchase a mower that is proposed for disposal by Council.

INVESTMENT POLICY AND STRATEGY REVIEW – 2025: Council adopted the draft Investment Policy March 2025 and the draft Investment Strategy March 2025. The Investment Policy and Investment Strategy will be reviewed and submitted to Council for determination in March 2026.

UPDATE ON AUSTRALIA DAY CEREMONIES FOR 2025: Council noted the report of the Governance Team Leader.

It was noted that the Australia Day Awards will consist of Citizen of the Year, Senior Citizen of the Year, Young Citizen of the Year, Services to Sport, Sports Person of the Year, Young Sports Person of the Year, Services to The Arts (Dubbo Only), Community Group of the Year (Dubbo Only), and Community Event of the Year (Wellington Only).

Council will consult with the community to ascertain expectations and suggestions for what type of activities they would like to see alongside the Civic Ceremonies. Following the conclusion of the community consultation, a Councillor workshop will be held to discuss the options.

A further report will be brought to the Ordinary Council meeting in July 2025 for determination.

DUBBO REGIONAL THEATRE AND CONVENTION CENTRE FEES AND CHARGES: Council noted the report provided by Director Community Culture places in response to Clr Chowdhury’s Question on Notice.

SOUTHLAKES PLAYGROUND UPDATE: Council noted that the developer is looking at completing the landscaping component along the entire eastern drainage channel by November 2025. This includes the playground that is to be installed below the intersection of Stream Avenue and Argyle Avenue.

Confidential:

Last Edited: 26 Mar 2025

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