OUTCOMES OF THE SEPTEMBER STANDING COMMITTEES
Councillors met at 5.30pm on 14 September for the Dubbo Regional Council Standing Committees meetings. Outcomes from the standing committees will be taken to the Ordinary Council meeting on 28 September for consideration and adoption.
INFRASTRUCTURE, PLANNING AND ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE
REPORT OF THE CLIMATE CHANGE AND RESILIENCE COMMITTEE - MEETING 29 AUGUST 2023
Councillors noted the report of the Climate Change and Resilience Committee meeting held on 29 August 2023.
BUILDING SUMMARY - AUGUST 2023
Councillors noted the report from the Director Development and Environment.
It was also noted the total number of dwellings approved in August was 34 including 23 single dwellings and 11 other dwellings. Total value of development applications determined in August was in excess of $19.5M and the value of development applications approved for the financial year to date compared to the same period last year is up 78 per cent.
RESPONSE TO NOTICE OF MOTION - DROUGHT SECURITY PROJECTS
The report from the Manager Strategy Water Supply and Sewerage was noted.
The report showed that periods of significant drought increase the risk of the Macquarie Wambuul River ceasing to flow. Currently, such an event would result in loss of viable potable water supplies in Geurie, Dubbo and Wellington.
The report detailed drought security projects that are currently being undertaken by Council to focus on increasing access to groundwater as a means of providing a more secure potable water supply for communities in times of severe drought.
DUKE OF WELLINGTON BRIDGE - FLOOD DAMAGE TREATMENT OPTIONS
Councillors determined that Council would target natural disaster funding to undertake reinstatement works on the Bell River riverbank, Duke of Wellington Bridge and Gobolion Street pavement and stormwater drainage.
The flood damage to Gobolion Street includes the road formation, pavement, kerb and gutter, stormwater assets and the Bell River bank on which these Council assets were constructed.
The Duke of Wellington Bridge suffered damage to steel guardrail and scour to a bridge abutment in the same flood event. The bridge and approximately 60 metres of Gobolion Street remain impassable and closed to traffic. Reconstruction of Council’s road and drainage assets will require extensive riverbank stabilisation.
The overall estimated cost to rehabilitate Council’s road, stormwater and bridge assets is currently unfunded and outside Council’s financial capacity. Without a financial commitment from the State and/or Federal funding sources the reinstatement of the damaged Council assets cannot proceed.
SOUTH BRIDGE STRATEGIC CONCEPTS - UPDATE AND NEXT STEPS
Councillors determined Option 4, the alignment of which has a curved bridge and severs the Lady Cutler Sporting Ovals, will not be given further consideration as an option for the South Bridge and a detailed business case will be prepared for Option 2 and 3.
Option 2 provides a connection from Whylandra Street at the Minore Road intersection on the west, to Macquarie Street at the Tamworth Street intersection to the east, while Option 3 provides a connection from Whylandra Street at the Dubbo Golf Club driveway on the west to Macquarie Street at the Tamworth Street intersection on the east.
The South Bridge Project has been identified in the Dubbo Transportation Strategy 2020 as a significantly important project to ensure continued growth can occur in West Dubbo well into the future.
CULTURE AND COMMUNITY COMMITTEE
REPORT OF THE MULTICULTURAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE - MEETING 14 AUGUST 2023
Councillors adopted the report of the Multicultural Advisory Committee meeting held on 14 August 2023.
REPORT OF THE SPARC COMMITTEE - MEETING 14 AUGUST 2023
Councillors adopted the report of SPARC Committee meeting held on 14 August 2023.
They noted the presentation of the Public Art Strategy by Council staff, which was also discussed during the Culture and Community Committee meeting. See further details below.
REPORT OF THE DISABILITY ACCESS AND INCLUSION ADVISORY COMMITTEE - MEETING 21 AUGUST 2023
Councillors adopted the report of the Disability Access and Inclusion Advisory Committee meeting held on 21 August 2023.
REPORT OF THE SOCIAL JUSTICE ADVISORY AND YOUTH COUNCIL COMMITTEE - MEETING 5 SEPTEMBER 2023
It was noted there was no quorum met for the meeting, but members who attended discussed the items on the agenda which included the Community Safety Plan Framework.
REPORT OF THE VILLAGES COMMITTEE - MEETING 16 AUGUST 2023
Councillors adopted the report of the Villages Committee meeting held on 16 August 2023.
DUBBO REGIONAL COUNCIL PUBLIC ART STRATEGY PUBLIC EXHIBITION
Councillors recommended the Draft Public Art Strategy to be placed on Public Exhibition.
The strategy addresses a number of outcomes within the Dubbo Region Cultural Plan including investigating optioned for funding to create and maintain appropriate public artworks; the development of a public art strategy; ensuring projects are delivered in partnership with the community; and the promotion of the location and significance of local public art to the community.
CORPORATE SERVICES COMMITTEE
INVESTMENT UNDER SECTION 625 OF THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT ACT - AUGUST 2023
The information contained within the Investment under Section 625 of the Local Government Act Report, dated 1 September 2023 was noted.
AUDIT OF SIGNS ACROSS THE URBAN AREAS OF THE LGA
The report was noted and a further detailed report will be brought to Council in February 2024 detailing the scope of the works. The audit comes after it was called for a report to Council on the accuracy and quality of the signage for which Council has responsibility across the urban areas of the LGA.
DRAFT MEDIA POLICY - RESULTS FROM PUBLIC EXHIBITION
Councillors adopted the draft Media Policy, which will replace the current 2017 Media Policy.
Last Edited: 18 Sep 2023