Outcomes of the 14 December Ordinary Council Meeting
Dubbo Regional Council (DRC) met on Thursday 14 December 2023 at 5.30pm in the Dubbo Council Chambers for the December Ordinary Council meeting. Due to holiday closures no Committees Meeting will be held during December. There will also be no Committees Meeting or Ordinary Council Meeting in January 2024, with two Ordinary Council Meetings to be held in February. Further dates and details can be found at dubbo.nsw.gov.au.
During the December meeting the following outcomes were made:
INFORMATION ONLY MATTERS:
Building summary – November 2023: Council noted the report which highlighted 58 dwellings had been approved in November which included 18 single dwellings and 40 ‘other’ dwellings to a total value of approximately $34.8M. The number of DAs approved for the financial year to date is 313 with a value of approximately $180.6M.
Service Review Program Update: Council noted the report which provided a high-level status update on the progress of the service review program and an overview of the recently completed service review of the Records Function.
Quarterly report on complaint statistics under Council’s Code of Conduct: Council noted the report which showed no code of conduct complaints about Councillors and the CEO had been received for the first quarter between 1 September and 30 November 2023.
Monthly reporting snapshot for Councillors – November 2023: Council noted the report highlighting high level data, statistics and commentary from the public facing Financial Performance and Services and Facility Performance and Customer Experience dashboards.
MATTERS CONSIDERED BY COMMITTEES:
Report of the Audit, Risk and Improvement Committee – Meeting 12 December 2023: Council adopted the report of the Audit, Risk and Improvement Committee meeting from 12 December. It was the first committee meeting held with new members present.
NOTICES OF MOTION:
Notice of Motion to Alter Tree Preservation Order – outcome of community consultation: Council removed point three of the original motion.
The current motion states Council staff will prepare a report to come back to Council outlining a proposed framework for tree management guidelines for trees on private land to an intervention level of 8 metres or higher and also 10 metres or higher including administration design, compliance and resourcing implications. Council staff will also develop and education program highlighting the importance of retaining tees, increasing canopy coverage and the benefits they provide to our urban communities.
REPORTS FROM STAFF:
Dubbo Regional Council Nomination for the Western Regional Planning Panel: Council confirmed DRC Economic Development and Visitors Services Team Leader Tim Nichols will be the nominated representative for the Dubbo region on the Western Regional Planning Panel for a period not to exceed three years.
Development Application for Road Closure of Campania Road Adjacent to Lot 1 DP 942178 Terramungamine: Council recommended the DA be approved subject to conditions. Council will seek concurrence from the Secretary of the Department of Planning and Environment with the CEO granted delegation to issues development consent upon receipt of the department’s concurrence.
The DA looks to close part of the Campania Road which is a surplus to the current road. The allotment created from the road closure will be sold to the owners of an adjoining lot as outlined in the report.
Planning Proposal Administrative Amendments to the Dubbo Regional Local Environment Plan 2022 – results of public exhibition: Council adopted the planning proposal to amend the Dubbo Regional Local Environmental Plan 2022 and noted two submissions from state agencies during the exhibition process. There were no public submissions received.
2024 NSW Touch Football Junior State Cup Dubbo: Council approval was granted to implement temporary road closures to facilitate the 2024 NSW Touch Football Junior State Cup. The event will be held along the Macquarie River Sporting Precinct from 7pm Thursday 22 February to 7pm Sunday 25 February.
Dubbo College South Campus proposed No Stopping Zone Fitzroy Street Dubbo: A ‘No Stopping’ zone will be implemented on both sides of Fitzroy Street, encompassing the Dubbo College South Campus access and extending north and south of the access as detailed in the report. The ‘No Stopping’ restrictions will be in place from 8.30am to 9am and 3pm to 3.30pm on school days.
Dubbo Public School – Proposed relocation of time restricted No Parking Zone Darling Street Dubbo: The existing time restricted school No Parking zone in Darling Street adjacent to Dubbo Public School will be relocated north of the school access gate into the existing two-hour parking zone while a two-hour parking zone will be reinstated to the vacated school No Parking zone location.
Public Art Strategy Adoption: Council resolved to adopt the public art strategy and consider any future funding for key projects in forward budget development processes.
Dubbo Regional Sports Council Playing Field Improvement Fund: Under the Playing Field Improvement Fund Dubbo City Junior Rugby League Association and Wellington Cowboys Rugby League Football Club will receive funding for this round and be advised of the outcome of their application.
Funding Strategy for Grant Application for the Wiradjuri Tourism Centre: Council adopted the recommendation Council would contribute $2.2M, funded via an internal loan, if the application for the Growing Regions Program is successful.
Review of Council’s Complaints Policy Documents: Council adopted the recommendation to replace the Internal Ombudsman Policy and the Unreasonable Complainant Conduct Policy and adopted the updated Complaints Management Policy which includes in-part the previous policies.
Local Government Remuneration Tribunal 2024 Annual Review: The Mayor will endorse and submit on behalf of Council the submission to the Local Government Remunerational Tribunal for its review of the 2024 annual determination as included in the report.
2024 Chief Executive Officer Performance Targets: The Mayor was authorised to execute the CEO’s performance agreement.
Questions on Notice – Councillor Josh Black: Council noted the information in the report surrounding the design of the 3D printed amenities block at Lions Park in West Dubbo. They also noted the information surrounding the replacement of the amenities block in Victoria Park and the community engagement program that will be undertaken in 2024.
CONFIDENTIAL:
Value to negotiate with the Dubbo RSL for the Old Dubbo Bowling Club: Council will submit an Expression of Interest for 74 Wingewarra Street Dubbo to the value recommended in the Preston Rowe Valuation Report received by Council on Thursday 14 December. A further report will be provided to Council following the outcome of the EOI.
Dubbo Regional Livestock Markets – Sheep and Goat electronic identification implementation program: Council noted the approval of grant funding from the NSW Department of Primary Industries and the Rural Assistance Authority of $525,000. They recommended Outcross Agri-Services be awarded the contract for $794,670.48 (excluding GST) to execute the works program encompassing the installation of Sheep and Goat eID infrastructure as part of the mandatory implementation of the Sheep and Goat eID tracking program.
Update to proposed sale of and creation of easement over lot 131 on DP1277458: Council resolved to rescind CCL23/300 and agreed to the sale of the announced land to the parties on the terms detailed in the report. The CEO has the delegated power to negotiate, finalise and execute any documents relating to the agreement for the sale including any contractual documentation.
Draft planning agreement – Forest Glen Solar Farm: A draft Voluntary Planning Agreement will be prepared in accordance with the terms identified in the report. Any draft Voluntary Planning Agreement will be placed on public display in accordance with the provisions of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 and following the conclusion of the exhibition period a further report will be prepared for the consideration of Council. Should a Voluntary Planning Agreement not be successfully negotiated with the proponent a further report will be provided for the consideration of Council.
Annual Performance Review of the Chief Executive Officer: Council determined the CEO consistently exceeded expectations and demonstrated above satisfactory performance during the review period, surpassing set targets and driving results.
In addition, Council recognised the professional caring and effective inputs the CEO has made to the Council.
Last Edited: 15 Dec 2023