OUTCOMES OF THE 26 OCTOBER ORDINARY COUNCIL MEETING
Dubbo Regional Council (DRC) met on Thursday 26 October 2023 at 5.32pm in the Dubbo Council Chambers for the October Ordinary Council meeting. The following outcomes were made:
MATTERS CONSIDERED BY COMMITTEES:
REPORT OF THE INFRASTRUCTURE, PLANNING AND ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE - MEETING 12 OCTOBER 2023
Councillors adopted the report of the Infrastructure, Planning and Environment Committee meeting held on 12 October 2023.
REPORT OF THE CULTURE AND COMMUNITY COMMITTEE - MEETING 12 OCTOBER 2023
Councillors noted the report from the Culture and Community Committee meeting held on 12 October 2023.
Council resolved to allocate $90,233.24 to the community based organisations through the Community Services Fund. It was determined that surplus funds remaining from the 2023/2024 Round One be rolled over to 2023/2024 Round Two of the Community Services Fund.
REPORT OF THE CORPORATE SERVICES COMMITTEE - MEETING 12 OCTOBER 2023
The report of the Corporate Services Committee meeting held on 12 October 2023 was adopted by Councillors.
REPORT OF THE AUDIT, RISK AND IMPROVEMENT COMMITTEE - MEETING 3 OCTOBER 2023
Councillors adopted the report from the Audit, Risk and Improvement Committee meeting held on 3 October 2023.
NOTICES OF MOTION:
TREE PLANTING
Councillors requested that the CEO provide a report on potential community tree planting activities from existing Council funding sources.
CONCEPT DUBBO INDOOR AQUATIC CENTRE
Councillors request a report will be provided back to Council that includes previous architectural concept designs for indoor aquatic facilities and costs and associated quantity surveying for construction, operational costs and provide funding alternatives.
RENEWABLE ENERGY AWARENESS AND CAREER TRAINING (REACT) CENTRE
Councillors moved a motion for a report to be brought before Council that outlines a high level conceptual business case for a Renewable Energy Awareness and Career Training (REACT) Centre by December 2023. The proposal will have, at a minimum, the following focus areas; to be based in Wellington district, focused on building skills in the renewable sector as a whole and be focused on building capacity in the local community to participate in the Renewable Energy Zone delivery and maintenance. It would also provide a tourism and public education experience that has state-wide significance and quality as the long lasting legacy for the region and outline opportunities for external funding.
CALLING FOR ACTION TO REDUCE RATES OF CRIME IN THE DUBBO LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA
Councillors discussed the levels of crime in numerous categories being well above the NSW State average in the Dubbo Regional Council Local Government Area (LGA). Council adopted for the Mayor to formally write to the relevant Federal and State Government Ministers regarding addressing the underlying causes of these high crime rates, requesting funding for Justice Reinvestment pilot projects and other initiatives to be implemented in the Dubbo LGA with a focus on reducing the underlying factors which lead to engagement with the criminal justice system.
It was also endorsed that the Mayor write to the NSW Minister for Police and Counter terrorism requesting an audit of police numbers across the Dubbo LGA, and for all vacant positions that service the Dubbo LGA to be filled immediately. To request the immediate implementation of 24 hour policing in Wellington, which includes a 24 hour police presence and a 24 hour police station. A report will be brought back to Council updating Councillors on the responses received.
REPORTS FROM STAFF:
PRESENTATION OF COUNCIL'S 2022/2023 FINANCIAL STATEMENT
Councillors adopted the General Purpose Financial Statements and the Special Purpose Financial Statements for the year ended 30 June 2023.
APPROACH ROAD TO NEW DUBBO BRIDGE INTERSECTION - FUNDING CONSIDERATIONS
Council discussed and noted the report, acknowledging the risk that there is the potential Council may be required to fund the signalised intersection on the new Dubbo Bridge approach road to the value of $11 million should grant applications be unsuccessful.
DRAFT BUNGLEGUMBIE ROAD DEVELOPMENT CONTROL PLAN
Councillors adopted the draft Bunglegumbie Road Development Control Plan for it to be placed on public exhibition. Following completion of the public exhibition period, a further report be presented to Council for consideration, including the results of public exhibition.
TREE PRESERVATION ORDER - OUTCOME OF COMMUNITY CONSULTATION
Council determined for Council staff to prepare a report to come back to Council outlining a proposed framework for tree management guidelines for trees on private land at an intervention level of 8 metres or higher and 10 metres or higher. This would include administration design, compliance and resourcing implications.
Councillors adopted for Council to develop an education program highlighting the importance of retaining trees, increasing canopy coverage and the benefits that they provide to our urban communities.
Councillors also moved that a statistically valid survey be undertaken to understand the community attitude towards a Tree Preservation Order and that it be funded from the Tree Management budget.
DISCLOSURE OF INTEREST RETURNS
Council adopted the information in the report including Disclosure of Interest Returns. Councillors noted that as there were no failures to lodge Disclosure of Interest Returns for the return period, no advice is required to be provided to the Office of Local Government in this matter. The lodged Disclosure of Interest Returns for Councillors
and Designated Persons will be placed on Council’s website no later than 30 November 2023, noting that some private information will be redacted prior to publishing online.
ANNUAL REPORT ON COMPLAINT STATISTICS UNDER COUNCIL'S CODE OF CONDUCT - SEPTEMBER 2022 TO AUGUST 2023
Councillors adopted the information contained within the report. It was also noted that the quarterly Code of Conduct complaint reporting periods be amended as per the details contained within this report.
AMENDMENT TO COUNCIL POLICY - PUBLIC INTEREST DISCLOSURES AND INTERNAL REPORTING
Council adopted the amendments to the Public Interest Disclosures and Internal Reporting Policy.
REVIEW OF COUNCIL COMMUNITY COMMITTEES
Councillors adopted to maintain the existing committees until the end of the Council term. That the findings of the service review be considered by the new Council following the election in September 2024. It was also determined that each community committee hold a workshop with members to improve effectiveness and propose relevant changes to the terms of reference to enable better community engagement outcomes.
CONFIDENTIAL MATTERS
DUBBO ADVANCED WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT PROPOSAL
Councillors noted that Council’s existing strategies have considered the benefits and constraints as to how recycled water, when treated to a higher standard than currently delivered at the Dubbo Sewerage Treatment Plant (STP). These strategies can be utilised in times of water scarcity for purposes such as industrial potable water replacement and the irrigation of recreational assets that are located along the Macquarie-Wambuul River foreshores of Dubbo’s urban area.
It was adopted that Council proceed with a Public Private Partnership (PPP) with the private entity identified within the report to deliver a higher level of effluent treatment capability at the Dubbo Sewerage Treatment Plant (STP) in line with Council’s strategic plans described above and that the CEO be authorised to submit the proposal to the Office of Local Government for consideration.
ANNUAL URBAN AND RURAL BITUMEN SEALING PROGRAM – QUOTATION APPROVAL
Council adopted for the contract for the ‘Annual Urban and Rural Bitumen Resealing Program’ be awarded to ‘Countrywide Asphalt and Civil’ in accordance with Local Government Act 1993 Section 55 (3) for the amount of $1,353,649 (incl GST).
RIVER STREET WEST STAGE 1 - PRE-CAST STORMWATER PIPES
Councillors endorsed for the contract for River Street West Stage 1 – Pre-cast Stormwater Products be awarded to Holcim (Australia) Pty Ltd in accordance with Local Government Act 1993 Section 55 (3) for the amount of $644,047.23 (incl GST).
WHEELERS LANE DUBBO STAGE 2 - ASPHALT TENDER APPROVAL
Council adopted for the contract for the construction of asphalt deep lift road pavement for Wheelers Lane Stage 2 be awarded to Bitupave Ltd T/A Boral Asphalt in accordance with Local Government Act 1993 Section 55 (3) for the amount of $2,023,262 (excl GST).
TENDER FOR THE RESURFACING OF BARDEN PARK ATHLETIC TRACK
Councillors noted the tender received for the resurfacing of the Barden Park Track and endorsed that Dubbo Regional Council engage Polytan Asia Pacific Pty Ltd for the resurfacing of Barden Park Athletics for the amount of $1,236,496.27 (inc GST).
STRATEGIC PLAN FOR ACQUISITION OF THE FORMER DUBBO CITY BOWLING CLUB SITE
Councillors authorised for the CEO to enter into negotiations with the Dubbo RSL Memorial Club to purchase the former Dubbo City Bowling Club site and that a subsequent report be brought to Council with the outcome of the negotiations.
COMPULSORY ACQUISITION OF EASEMENTS FOR THE HUCKEL/MACQUARIE STREET SEWERAGE AND STORMWATER UPGRADE WORKS
Councillors approved to proceed with the compulsory acquisition of five easements for the purposes of sewerage and storm water upgrade works for Huckel and Macquarie Sts.
PROPOSED SALE OF, AND CREATION OF EASEMENT OVER, LOT 131 ON DP1277458
Council endorsed the sale of, and creation of easement over Lot 131 on DP1277458 to the parties, and on the terms, as detailed in this report.
APPOINTMENTS TO THE AUDIT, RISK AND IMPROVEMENT COMMITTEE
Councillors adopted for Council to proceed with interviews for the five applicants that submitted Expressions of Interest to be Independent Representatives on the Audit, Risk and Improvement Committee. It was determined that the interview panel members be the Mayor, Deputy Mayor, Chief Executive Officer and Councillor S Chowdhury. That the independent interview panel make a recommendation to Council of the independent panel members.
AMENDED COMPULSORY ACQUISITION OF CROWN LAND FOR PUBLIC ROAD - UPGRADE OF GOOLMA ROAD AND TWELVE MILE ROAD INTERSECTION
Council adopted to approve the new Plan of Acquisition of Crown Land for a public road for the upgrade of Goolma Road and Twelve Mile Road intersection.
Last Edited: 27 Oct 2023