Councillors met at 5.30pm on 14 October 2025 for the Dubbo Regional Council (DRC) Standing Committee meetings. Outcomes from the Standing Committees will be taken to the Ordinary Council meeting on 28 October for consideration and adoption, with the exception of those matters to which delegation to the committees has been appointed.
Infrastructure, Planning and Environment Committee
REPORT OF THE RENEWABLE ENERGY ZONE BENEFIT COMMITTEE - MEETING 17 JULY 2025
The report of the Renewable Energy Zone Benefit Committee meeting held on 17 July 2025 was noted by Councillors.
DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITY SUMMARY
Councillors noted the report showing development activity and including a statistical overview of the number and type of DAs for the local government area in the past month. The ‘total number of dwellings’ approved in August was 36, including 12 single dwellings and 24 other dwellings.
RENEWABLE ENERGY PROJECTS UPDATE - OCTOBER 2025
Councillors noted the report of the Manager Growth Planning, dated 25 September 2025. This included the status of the Renewable Energy Projects and Planning Agreements.
D25-269 MOTEL PROPERTY: LOT 1 DP 1038639, 59 COBRA STREET, DUBBO APPLICANT: MRS S SALMAN OWNER: MRS S SALMAN
Councillors adopted that Development Application D25-269 for a Motel at Lot 1 DP 1038639, 59 Cobra Street, Dubbo, be approved subject to conditions of consent and that those who made written submissions be notified of the determination.
PROPOSED CLOSURE OF PART OF AN UNFORMED ROAD LOCATED OUTSIDE 1 LAY STREET, MONTEFIORES
Councillors endorsed consent of the closure of a section of road.
Confidential:
AIRLOCK REMEDIATION SOLUTION AT JOHN GILBERT WATER TREATMENT PLANT - VARIATION TO CONTRACT CD22/5066 - DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION OF FLUORIDE PLANT
Councillors noted the increased scope of works for contract CD22/5066 – Dubbo Water Treatment Plant – Design and Construction of Fluoride Plant. These works and proposed funding described within this report are essential to operate the John Gilbert Water Treatment Plant at its full capacity of 80ML per day.
ESSENTIAL ENERGY - EASEMENT REQUEST FOR A STAY WIRE OVER PART OF LOT 1728 DP 1222337 - ARGYLE AVENUE, DUBBO
Councillors endorsed to approve the grant of an easement for a stay wire, with in-ground footing, affecting Lot 1728 DP 1222337 and that Council accept the offer of compensation for this easement as detailed in the report.
Culture and Community Committee
REPORT OF THE YOUTH COUNCIL - MEETING 4 SEPTEMBER 2025
The report of the Youth Council meeting held on 4 September 2025 was noted by Councillors.
DRAFT PUBLIC AMENITY STRATEGY
Councillors endorsed the Public Amenity Strategy. It was also noted that Council investigates strategies to reduce anti-social behaviour and vandalism at the Church Street amenity facility and that Council modify the Cameron Park amenity facility to create additional public toilets for the community with the original supplier of the facility.
OUTCOME OF PUBLIC EXHIBITION FOR RIVERSIDE RESERVES PLAN OF MANAGEMENT
Councillors endorsed Council adopt the Riverside Reserves Plan of Management. The Riverside Reserves Plan of Management will be placed on Council’s website to make it publicly available once endorsed at the Ordinary Council Meeting.
PLAN OF MANAGEMENT - WESTERN PLAINS CULTURAL CENTRE
Councillors recommended for the draft Plan of Managements for Westen Plains Cultural Centre to be placed on public exhibition for 42 days. Following the public exhibition phase, the draft Plans of Management be submitted back to Council for consideration.
MANAGEMENT POLICY - HOMELESS PEOPLE IN PUBLIC PLACES
Councillors endorsed the Homelessness in Public Spaces Management Policy to guide staff responses to individuals experiencing homelessness on Council-owned spaces.
SUBMISSIONS - PUBLIC EXHIBITION - DUBBO REGION EVENTS STRATEGY
Councillors endorsed the Dubbo Region Events Strategy with the following amendment: investigate the use of public and private space to support niche and major event activity.
WATER SAFETY REPORT
Councillors noted the engagement of third-party specialists to conduct a risk assessment of Council’s formal inland waterway access points. Councillors also endorsed the action being taken to promote the availability of existing water safety programs from professional service providers.
Corporate Services Committee
CHRISTMAS ACTIVITIES 2025
Councillors noted the report of the Manager Strategic Partnerships and Investment dated 10 September 2025.
DRAFT COUNCIL POLICY – COMMUNICATIONS, MEDIA AND BRAND – RESULTS OF PUBLIC EXHIBITION
Councillors endorsed the Council Policy, Communications, Media and Brand. The Council Policy, Communications, Media and Brand replaces the former Council Policy – Media.
RESULTS OF PUBLIC EXHIBITION: 2021-2027 CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE STRATEGY, ACTION PLAN REVIEW
Councillors noted the draft Customer Experience Strategy 2021-2027 and draft Customer Experience Charter.
COMMUNITY FUNDING PROGRAM 2025/2026 - ROUND 1 - RECOMMENDED APPLICANTS
Councillors endorsed for the 18 applicants outlined in the report with a total recommended funding amount of $117,219.47. Councillors noted that relevant staff oversee the development and execution of funding agreements with successful applicants. Any funds that are declined by applicants be included in the available funding pool for Round 2.
RESCISSION OF COUNCIL POLICIES
Councillors recommended to rescind the following policies: Council Policy - Aquatic Leisure Centres – Usage, Council Policy - Bitumen Sealing of Council Roads, Council Policy - Collective Impact for Social Change and Council Policy - COVID-19 Rates Financial Assistance. These Council policies are inconsistent with Council’s broader service delivery principles.
2025 VICTOR CHANG SCHOOL SCIENCE AWARDS PROGRAM
Councillors endorsed for Dubbo Regional Council to support the Victor Chang School Science Awards in 2026, expanding to invite schools in neighbouring Local Government Areas of Narromine and Gilgandra to participate.
DRAFT COUNCILLOR AND STAFF INTERACTION POLICY
Councillors noted the report of the Chief Executive Officer, dated 25 August 2025 and endorsed the Council Policy Councillor and Staff Interaction.
DRAFT CODE OF CONDUCT POLICY AND PROCEDURES FOR THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE CODE OF CONDUCT
Councillors noted the draft Code of Conduct Policy and the Procedures for the Administration of the Code of Conduct Policy.
ANNUAL REPORT ON COMPLAINT STATISTICS UNDER COUNCIL'S CODE OF CONDUCT - 2024/2025 REPORTING PERIOD
Councillors noted the information contained within the report of the Manager Corporate Governance, dated 22 September 2025 was noted by Councillors. Councillors endorsed for the annual Code of Conduct statistics be reported to the Office of Local Government in line with statutory requirements.
DRAFT POLICIES FOR COUNCIL REVIEW
Councillors noted the following policies as attached to this report these include a Council Policy – Use of The Common Seal of Council and Council Policy – Related Party Disclosure. Due to the changes being very administrative in nature that they are not place on public exhibition prior to adoption.
DRAFT COUNCIL POLICY - FLAG PROTOCOLS
Councillors endorsed the Draft Council Policy – Flag Protocols to be placed on public exhibition for no less than 28 Days. A further report be provided to council post public exhibition period.
DRAFT COUNCIL POLICY - CODE OF MEETING PRACTICE
The draft Code of Meeting Practice was endorsed for the purpose of public exhibition for a period of 42 days. It was noted that consultation will commence on 15 October 2025 due to the restricted time frame imposed by the NSW State Government. It was noted that if the 2025 Code of Meeting Practice is not adopted by 31 December 2025, then from 1 January 2026, any provisions of the current code of meeting practice that is inconsistent with a mandatory provision of the 2025 Model Meeting Code it will be automatically overridden by the relevant mandatory provision of the new code. A further report will be submitted to Council detailing results of public exhibition, for adoption of the final policy.
MASTER PLAN FOR THE CIVIC ADMINISTRATION BUILDING
Councillors endorsed to allocate $200,000 from the Restricted Asset Budget (Building Asset Renewal) to develop a plan and design for the Civic Administration Building in Dubbo.
Confidential
OPTION AGREEMENT AT MOFFATT ESTATE FOR SOLAR PANEL RECYCLING FACILITY
Councillors endorsed to enter into an agreement to sell 7.39ha of land at Moffatt Estate, on the key terms as specified in this report, to Lotus Energy Recycling Pty Ltd, or an associated entity of Lotus Energy Recycling Pty Ltd.
LICENCE AGREEMENTS FOR ROAD RESERVE ADJOINING LOT 116 DP 1241586 AND LOT 21 DP 1143984
It was endorsed by Councillors to enter into a Licence Agreement with the registered owner of Lot 116 on DP1241585 for that part of the road reserve adjoining Lot 116 on DP1241586. It was also endorsed to enter into a Licence Agreement with the registered owner of Lot 21 on DP 1143984 for part of the road reserve adjoining Lot 21 DP on 1143984.