OUTCOMES OF THE APRIL 27 ORDINARY COUNCIL MEETING
Dubbo Regional Council (DRC) met on Thursday 27 April, 2023 at 5.30pm in the Dubbo Council Chambers for the April Council meeting.
The following outcomes were made:
CLAUSE 4.6 VARYING DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS – UPDATE
Councillors noted the information in the report.
STATUS OF NOTICES OF MOTION – QUARTERLY UPDATE
Councillors noted the report by the Manager of Corporate Governance.
REPORT OF THE INFRASTRUCTURE, PLANNING AND ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE – MEETING 13 APRIL, 2023
Councillors adopted the recommendations in the report of the Infrastructure, Planning and Environment Committee from 13 April 2023.
Councillors asked for an update on the Fluoride tender which had been awarded during the committee meeting, with staff responding that admin works were being undertaken.
Public Works, acting on behalf of Council submitted the full documentation on 17 April with approvals expected soon. Tender documents are also being prepared with staff hoping works will be soon started.
REPORT OF THE CULTURE AND COMMUNITY COMMITTEE – MEETING 13 APRIL, 2023
Councillors moved the report of the Culture and Community Committee be adopted, with exception to the matters of the Macquarie Conservatorium of Music Facility Options and The Dubbo Aquatic Leisure Centres Request for Proposal which were dealt with separately as below.
Macquarie Conservatorium of Music Facility Options:
Councillors voted against the original motion recommended by the Culture and Community Committee and put forward an alternative motion.
The alternative motion allows the CEO to negotiate the terms of the lease agreement for the Macquarie Conservatorium to occupy 139 Darling Street in Dubbo with a peppercorn lease per annum for a period of 5 years, with an option for an additional five year term by mutual agreement.
The lease amount will be reviewed at the end of the initial five year period and the Macquarie Conservatorium will be responsible for all outgoings under the lease arrangements including but not limited to utilities, fit out, repairs and maintenance on the agreed arrangement.
As the lease amount is below market value it will be considered as a financial assistance grant to the Conservatorium
The preferred location for the Macquarie Conservatorium is part of a cultural hub that DRC is considering, which could be located adjacent to and include the Western Plains Cultural Centre.
Dubbo Aquatic Leisure Centre requests for proposal:
Councillors called for a request for proposal for the Contract Management of the Dubbo Aquatic Centres including Dubbo Aquatic Leisure Centres, Wellington Aquatic Centre and Geurie Pool. The proposals could be for a single facility or for multiple facilities.
The proposal is for the operational management of the contract for a five year period, starting on 1 July 2023 and finishing on 30 June 2028. There is an option for an additional two, 12 month extensions, as indicated within the specification.
There are provisions outlined in the operational setting within each of the facilities under contract management, and the fees and chargers would be dependent on guidelines outlined by council.
The Contract is responsible for all operational maintenance and council would be responsible for all Capital Works and asset maintenance over $2,000 required at all any of the three facilities.
This is only a request for proposal, which provides more details than an expression of interest but is not a contract.
REPORT OF THE CORPORATE SERVICES COMMITTEE – MEETING 13 APRIL, 2023
Councillors adopted the recommendations of the Corporate Services Committee meeting held on 13 April, 2023.
REPATRIATION OF AXE GRINDING GROOVE ROCK FROM WIRADJURI PARK TO TERRAMUNGAMINE RESERVE
Councillors called for the CEO to provide formal communications to Transport for NSW regarding the large rock to the repatriated to Terramungamine Reserve.
The CEO is to facilitate relevant stakeholder meetings to progress this initiative, including the cost of repatriate be covered by Transport for NSW as part of the new Dubbo Bridge Project.
REVIEW OF RATES STRUCTURE FOR 2023/2024
Councillors recommended the 2023/2024 rate structure incorporate the rate pegging limit of 3.7 per cent with the percentage being the maximum permitted for the 2023/2024 rating year as determined by IPART.
The rates structure will be included in the Revenue Policy as part of the 2023/2024 Operational plan to include newly defined boundaries for the Residential Dubbo Urban rating sub-category, and the properties subject to this new rate category will be notified by Council.
The amount applicable to residential village and residential Geurie will be set to ensure the minimum rate is applicable to less than 50 per cent of properties.
The revenue policy will be placed on public exhibition for the purpose of community consultation.
DRAFT 2023/2024 BUDGET AND FEES/CHARGES
Councillors adopted the 2023/2024 draft budget including fees and charges and forward forecasts for the next three financial years, for the purposes of public exhibition only.
Councillors adopted the draft Macquarie Regional Library Budget, including fees and charges and forward forecasts for the next three financial years for the purpose of public exhibition.
The budgets will be placed on public exhibition from Monday, 1 May 2023 to 5pm Monday, 29 May 2023, with the community encouraged to have their say on the Budget.
It was recommended the interest rate on overdue rates and charges would be the maximum as advised by the Minister for Local Government and the annual pensioner rebates on both water and sewerage charges be maintained at $100 each while the pensioner rebate for the domestic waste management service charge would be maintained at $52 for the financial year.
DRAFT 2023/2024 DELIVERY PROGRAM AND OPERATIONAL PLAN AND ASSOCIATED DOCUMENTS
The draft 2023/2024 Delivery Program and Operational Plan, draft Macquarie Regional Library 2023/2024 Operational Plan, draft Long Term Financial Plan and Strategic Asset Management Plan was endorsed by Council for the purposes of public exhibition.
The delivery programs and operational plans will be placed on exhibition from Monday, 1 May 2023, until 5pm Monday, 29 May 2023.
Councillors endorsed the engagement strategy for the Delivery Program and Operational Plan with a further report to be presented to councillors for consideration following the public exhibition.
RESULTS OF PUBLIC EXHIBITION – AMENDMENTS TO THE DUBBO DEVELOPMENT CONTROL PLAN 2013 AND WELLINGTON DEVELOPMENT CONTROL PLAN 2013 – DETACHED DEVELOPMENT.
Councillors adopted the amendments to the Dubbo Development Control Plan 2013 and Wellington Development Control Plan 2013. The amendments will come into effect on 1 May 2023.
RESULTS OF PUBLIC EXHIBITION – PLANNING PROPOSAL R22-002 CAVELLE DRIVE, DUBBO
Councillors adopted the planning proposal to amend the Dubbo Regional Local Environmental Plan 2022 by rezoning part of Cavelle Drive from tourist to low density residential and amending part of the minimum lot size from no minimum lot size to 800m2.
Council will prepare drafting instructions and liaise with the NSW Government Department of Planning and Environment to arrange finalisation of the proposed amendment and request gazettal of the plan.
COUNCIL RELATED DEVELOPMENT APPLICATION – CONFLICT OF INTEREST POLICY
Councillors adopted the Council-Related Development Application Conflict of Interest Policy.
DRAFT PLANNING AGREEMENT – SPICERS CREEK WIND FARM
Council will negotiate a draft Planning Agreement with Squadron Energy Pty Ltd in respect of the Spicers Creek Wind Farm Project. The draft planning agreement will be for 1.5 per cent of the Capital Investment Value of the project and aligned with the offer letter dated 26 April 2023.
Funding for the 107 proposed wind turbines in the Dubbo LGA and 10 wind turbines in the Warrumbungle LGA will be considered on a pro rata basis per turbine.
Following the conclusion of the public exhibition period a further report will be presented to Council for consideration.
SECONDARY DWELLING – LOT 461 DP565521, 12 CAVES ROAD APSLEY
Following further information submitted to council, Councillors deferred the item for consideration at a future meeting of council.
If the further information is deemed sufficient, the application will be determined under delegated authority.
MEMORIAL PLAQUES AND DONATION OF PARK FURNITURE AND TREES POLICY
A draft Council Policy – Plaques and Donation of Park Furniture and Trees Policy will be placed on public exhibition for a period of 28 days during the first quarter of 2023/2024 financial year.
Following the exhibition a report will be provided to Council detailing the results.
FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM 2022/2023 ROUND TWO
Council approved the grant recommendations in line with the eligible criteria and notifications to be sent to successful applicants:
· RSPCA NSW $7,800
· Girls Brigade Dubbo NSW $4,100
All unsuccessful applicants will be advised of Council’s Grants Hub, as well as other funding opportunities and surplus funds remaining will be rolled over to the 2023/2024 Round One of the Financial Assistance Program.
COMMUNITY SERVICES FUND 2022/2023 ROUND TWO
Council allocated $17,398.14 of the $59,245.88.
· Dubbo & District Family History Society $957.44
· Dubbo and District Pipe Band $2,300.00
· Emmanuel Care Centre $3,400.00
· Orana Heights Public School P&C Association $9,244.70
· Orana Toy Library $996.00
· Red Cross, Wellington Branch $500.00
All unsuccessful applicants will be advised of Council’s Grants Hub, as well as other funding opportunities and any advice to assist future applications for council financial assistance and surplus funds remaining from the round will be rolled over to the 2023/2024 Round One of the Community Services Fund.
CONFIDENTIAL – TENDER FOR THE HEAVY PATCHING PROGRAM – ROAD MAINTENANCE COUNCIL CONTRACT
The contract for the full service for heavy patching (including stabilising pavement) on the Golden Highway and the Goolma Road is awarded to Stabilised Pavements of Australia for the amount of $3,773,848.82
Last Edited: 17 Jul 2023