OUTCOMES FROM THE MAY 2025 ORDINARY COUNCIL MEETING
Council met at 5.30pm on Tuesday 27 May 2025 in Wellington for the May Ordinary Council meeting. During the meeting the following outcomes were made:
Matters considered by committees: Reports of the below committees were adopted by Council:
- Report of the Infrastructure, Planning and Environment Committee – 13 May
- Report of the Culture and Community Committee – 13 May
- Report of the Corporate Services Committee – 13 May
Notices of Motion:
PARTICIPATION IN THE 2025 VICTOR CHANG SCHOOL SCIENCE AWARDS PROGRAM: Council will participate in the 2025 Victor Chang School Science Awards Program to recognise and celebrate high-achieving Year 11 STEM students within the DRC LGA. Council will actively engage with schools, encouraging them to participate and host an award ceremony to present the awards to nominated students.
WASTE TO ENERGY FACILITIES: Council acknowledged that waste to energy projects are likely to be classified as State Significant Development which requires detailed consideration of environmental impacts as a component of the assessment process. Council has determined the CEO will write to the Minister for Planning and Public Spaces to request Council be notified of any State Significant waste to energy projects in nearby LGAs and that the minister consider contact is made with neighbouring LGAs to notify them of planned projects that are likely to have an effect on them.
RENEWABLE ENERGY PROJECTS: Council called for a report that outlines the role of Council in the State Significant Development process for larger scale renewable projects. The report will include the points at which Council can make an input into the process, and how Council can provide conditions on the development.
REVIEW OF COMMUNITY HALLS: Council called for a report outlining the status of community buildings, costs to maintain them and other elements important to understanding their continued sustainability and the needs of the community. The report will also include how we can make the best use of those facilities for our community and the groups that use those halls as well as different ways the Council can offset the cost for users through external funding such as Voluntary Planning Agreements.
HERITAGE PROVISIONS ON BRIDGES: Council called for a report to be provided to the July Ordinary Council meeting detailing the heritage provisions and their variations or removal on Scabbing Flat Bridge in Geurie, Rawsonville Bridge in Rawsonville and Waroo Bridge in Waroo. The report will outline the number of heritage provisions that impact the replacement of Scabbing Flat Bridge with a concrete bridge, who is responsible for the ongoing maintenance of the Scabbing Flat Bridge and possible timeline for replacement of the timber bridge with a concrete bridge for Scabbing Flat Bridge.
FEES AND CHARGES - TIPS AND TRANSFER STATIONS: Council deferred the motion, which will be brought back to the Council at a later date.
STATISTICAL DATA COLLECTION BY SURVEYS: Council called for a report to be brought to the August ordinary meeting outlining Council’s requirement and obligations to obtain community satisfaction surveys, with the CEO to also explore more cost-effective methods of satisfying this requirement.
Reports from staff:
HOUSING FOR OUR FUTURE - ENGAGEMENT INSIGHTS REPORT AND NEXT STEPS: Council noted the information in the report, the Engagement Insights Report and all submissions received during the community consultation period.
The report outlines that insights during the consultation include a desire for more medium density housing, a greater variety of minimum lot sizes in R5 Large Lot Residential Land, a reluctance to build dwelling types that aren’t ‘proven’ to be profitable, the expectation for Council to play a greater role in addressing housing challenges and balancing the growth of Villages.
The draft Housing Strategies will be considered by Council in July 2025, before any further public and stakeholder consultation is undertaken.
FLUORIDATION OF DUBBO WATER SUPPLY: Council noted the report and reaffirmed its policy of fluoridating the water supply in both Dubbo and Wellington, noting fluoride will continue following current repair works.
RESULTS OF PUBLIC EXHIBITION ON THE DRAFT 2023-2027 COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT STRATEGY (INCLUDING COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION PLAN): Council adopted the revised 2023-2027 Community Engagement Strategy (including Participation Plan). The strategy and plan were updated to meet legislative and post-election requirements, outlining Council’s clear and transparent approach to community and stakeholder engagement, so everyone understands their role in decision-making.
DRAFT COUNCIL POLICY - ASSET MANAGEMENT POLICY: Council endorsed the policy for the purpose of public exhibition with a further report to be brought back to Council following the exhibition period for the purpose of final policy adoption. The policy ensures Council develops and maintains necessary systems, processes, organisational structure, resources (both financial and human), and a strong organisational commitment to consistently delivering services that meet community expectations.
MARCH 2025 QUARTERLY BUDGET REVIEW STATEMENT: Council adopted the quarterly budget review statements, noting it is in a satisfactory financial position and the changes to the original budget were noted.
Questions on Notice:
DISASTER INSURANCE/WELLINGTON WATER TREATMENT PLANT RENEWAL: A question around Council’s disaster insurance with regards to assets such as roads and bridges against the impact of natural disasters and a question around the current performance of the Wellington Water Treatment Plant facility and current and future renewal works was answered. The full response is provided in the agenda for the 27 May meeting on Council’s website.
DUBBO AND WELLINGTON WATER AND SEWERAGE TREATMENT PLANTS: A question about the proposed renewals and upgrades at the Dubbo and Wellington Water and Sewerage Treatment Plants as well as the programming of the works and funding sources was answered. The full response is provided in the agenda for the 27 May meeting on Council’s website.
ATTRACTING EVENTS TO THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA: A question about Council’s approach to attracting major events to the Local Government Area was answered verbally during the meeting. The verbal response can be viewed on the video stream of the meeting available on Council’s website.
SCABBING FLAT BRIDGE: A question about the timing of a report regarding Scabbing Flat Bridge was asked. The full response is provided in the agenda for the 27 May meeting on Council’s website.
VICTORIA PARK DUCK POND: A question about the timing and restoration of the Victoria Park duck pond and fountain was asked. The full response is provided in the agenda for the 27 May meeting on Council’s website.
Confidential:
JOHN GILBERT WATER TREATMENT PLANT, DUBBO -REPLACEMENT OF CLEAR WATER TANK NO. 2 HIGH LIFT PUMPS -AWARD OF TENDER: Council elected to engage Murray Engineering Pty Ltd for the John Gilbert Water Treatment Plant Dubbo Replacement of CWTO2 Pumps for $1,267,467 including GST. The works are essential maintenance and will increase resilience of Dubbo’s potable water supply.
EXPRESSION OF INTEREST - VICTORIA PARK AMENITY BLOCK, DESIGN AND CONSTRUCT: Council reviewed the report and recommended all companies that submitted an expression of interest be invited to a select tender process.
TENDER - WELLINGTON PIONEER PARK AMENITIES REBUILD: Council accepted the tender from Welbuilt Constructions for the Wellington Pioneer Park Amenities Rebuild project for the tendered price of $883,999 inc GST. The amenities block was destroyed following an arson attack.
TENDER - ELSTON PARK WATER PLAY RENEWAL: Council accepted the tender from Water Play Solutions Pty Ltd for the renewal of the Elston Park Water Play area for the cost of $499,950 incl GST. The current playground is at the end of its useful life and is due for replacement under Council’s asset renewal program with funding allocated in the budget.
OUTCOME OF EXPRESSION OF INTEREST PROCESS - 74 WINGEWARRA STREET, DUBBO: Council declined the expression of interest submission by NSW Rugby Union (NSWRU) to lease 74 Wingewarra Street and authorised the CEO to negotiate directly with NSWRU to lease the property, noting the arrangements proposed include a partnership with Creative Assembly.
A report will be brought back to council if negotiations with NSWRU are successful, or the property will be re-advertised for lease if negotiations with NSWRU are unsuccessful.
PEOPLE CULTURE AND SAFETY QUARTERLY METRICS REPORT: Council noted the information in the quarterly report.
Last Edited: 28 May 2025