Councillors met at 5.30pm on 8 July 2025 for the meetings of the Dubbo Regional Council (DRC) Standing Committees. Outcomes from the Standing Committees will be taken to the Ordinary Council meeting on 22 July 2025 for consideration and adoption.
INFRASTRUCTURE, PLANNING AND ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE
REPORT OF THE RENEWABLE ENERGY ZONE BENEFIT COMMITTEE: Council noted the report of the Renewable Energy Zone Benefit Committee meeting held on 19 June 2025.
DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITY SUMMARY: Councillors noted the report from the Manager Building and Development Services. During the month of May 2025 Council approved 47 Development Applications.
RENEWABLE ENERGY PROJECTS UPDATE - JULY 2025: Councillors noted the report that outlined there are 22 known renewable energy projects at various stages of assessment and development. This includes eight solar farms, eight wind farms and six battery energy storage systems. For these projects six Planning Agreements have been executed, 14 are currently being negotiated with proponents (of which eight are subject to a Council resolution), and one is yet to commence negotiations.
DRAFT PLANNING AGREEMENT VPA24-003 - KERRS CREEK WIND FARM: Council recommended that a draft Planning Agreement be prepared for the Kerrs Creek Wind Farm. The Planning Agreement would require the Proponent to pay $700 per megawatt per annum to Dubbo Regional Council for the duration of the project.
ORANA MALL MARKET PLACE ALTERATIONS AND ADDITIONS: Council approved the consent for alterations and additions to the Orana Mall Shopping Centre. The proposed development is to accommodate a new shop/supermarket (ALDI).
PLANNING PROPOSAL - AMENDMENTS TO THE SOUTH-EAST URBAN RELEASE AREA MAP: Council endorsed the Planning Proposal to amend the Dubbo Regional Local Environmental Plan 2022 and remove two sections of the South-East Dubbo Urban Release Area (URA) from the Urban Release Area Map. Council supports a minimum 10 business days public exhibition period for the planning proposal. Following the public exhibition period a further report is to be presented to Council for consideration.
JOHN GILBERT WATER TREATMENT PLANT – GRAVITY FILTER PENSTOCK VALVE REPLACEMENT
Council adopted to engage Allflow Systems and Solutions for the supply and installation of penstock valves at the John Gilbert Water Treatment Plant for a total amount of $358,822.20 (GST incl). Councillors endorsed to delegate the Chief Executive Officer to approve extension and variations for this contact if required and subject to budget limitations.
CULTURE AND COMMUNITY COMMITTEE
REPORT OF THE SISTER CITY COMMITTEE: Council noted the report of the Sister City Committee meeting held on 2 June 2025.
2025/2026 AQUATIC LEISURE CENTRE FEES AND CHARGES AND SEASON LENGTH: Councillors endorsed that there will be no increase in admission / fees and charges for the Dubbo Aquatic Leisure, Wellington Aquatic Leisure Centre and Geurie Pool, declining Belgravia Leisure’s request for a 3.5% increase. Council approved the current season lengths for Dubbo Aquatic Leisure Centre (33 weeks), Wellington Aquatic Centre (31 weeks) and Geurie Pool (18 weeks). Council note that the season lengths may be extended at Belgravia Leisure’s discretion dependent on prevailing weather conditions and training requirements for National / State Swimming Championships.
2025-2029 YOUTH ACTION PLAN: Council acknowledged the submissions received during the public exhibition, as well as the contributions made by the community during the community engagement period. Council endorsed the 2025 – 2029 Youth Action Plan.
CORPORATE SERVICES COMMITTEE
DRAFT COUNCIL POLICY - COMMUNICATIONS, MEDIA AND BRAND POLICY: Council endorsed the draft Communications, Media and Brand Policy for the purpose of public exhibition for a period of 28 days. Council also noted that a further report be submitted to Council detailing results of public exhibition, for adoption of the final policy.
OUTSTANDING ACTIONS FROM COUNCIL AND COMMITTEES: Councillors noted the quarterly update on Outstanding Actions.
LAND ACQUISITION - FUTURE STORMWATER MANAGEMENT IN TROY GULLY: Council approved to proceed with the acquisition of Lots 2 and 4 on DP1194822 (7 and 9 Purvis Lane, Dubbo) and that upon acquisition and following notification provisions under s34 of the Local Government Act 1993, that the land be classified as ‘operational.’
OUTCOME OF EXPRESSION OF INTEREST PROCESS - COMMUNITY LEASE OF WELLINGTON SHOWGROUND: Councillors declined to accept the expression of interest (EOI) submission by Wellington Race Club for a community lease of Wellington Showground (Showground). Council recommended that the Chief Executive Officer be authorised to negotiate directly with the Wellington Race Club to lease the Showground.