Councillors met at 5.30pm on 12 August 2025 for the Dubbo Regional Council (DRC) Standing Committee meetings. Outcomes from the Standing Committees will be taken to the Ordinary Council meeting on 26 August for consideration and adoption, with the exception of those matters to which delegation to the committees has been appointed.
Infrastructure, Planning and Environment Committee
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 report showed the total number of dwellings approved in June was 22, with eight single dwellings and five other dwellings. DAs, Construction Certificates and Complying Development Certificates are able to be tracked online through Council’s Application Tracker.
DRAFT PLANNING AGREEMENT VPA23-005 - SANDY CREEK SOLAR FARM: A draft Planning Agreement and Explanatory Note will be prepared in accordance with the terms in the report. The report outlines that Council has received an offer from Lightsource BP to enter into an agreement which would require the proponent to pay $340 per megawatt per annum for the duration of the project. A further report will be presented to Council if the agreement cannot be successfully negotiated.
DRAFT BLUERIDGE PRECINCT DEVELOPMENT CONTROL PLAN: Council adopted the amended draft Blueridge Precinct Development Control Plan following the public exhibition. The plan will come into effect on 29 August 2025.
WATER SUPPLY SERVICES POLICY, SEWERAGE SERVICES POLICY AND LIQUID TRADE WASTE POLICY REVIEW: Councillors recommended the draft policies be endorsed for public exhibition for no less than 28 dates, and a report be prepared for Council following public exhibition to seek endorsement of the policies.
The revised water Supply Services Policy will streamline and update Council’s policies in the area of water supply services, while the new Sewerage Services Policy will streamline and update all current policies relating to sewerage services. The Liquid Trade Waste Policy was reviewed in April 2022 and is due for renewal.
CONFIDENTIAL - QUOTATION FOR SUPPLY AND DELIVERY OF FIVE MOTOR GRADERS: Under the delegated authority given to Committees, Councillors determined WesTrac Pty Ltd would be engaged for the supply of five Caterpillar 140 motor graders and that five currently owned motor graders be sold via NASCO Auctions.
Culture and Community Committee
OUTCOME OF PUBLIC EXHIBITION FOR VICTORIA PARK AND OLD DUBBO GAOL CROWN LANDS PLAN OF MANAGEMENT: Councillors recommended the adoption of the plan of management, with the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure – Crown Lands to be notified they have been adopted. The plans will be placed on Council’s website to make them publicly available.
DRAFT 2025-2030 DUBBO REGION EVENTS STRATEGY: Councillors recommended the endorsement of the 2025-2030 Dubbo Region Events Strategy for public exhibition, with a report to come back to Councillors detailing any feedback received during the exhibition.
Councillors highlighted where Wellington and the Villages and how they fit into the strategy and the assistance that can be provided in arranging the events.
AUSTRALIAN KART CHAMPIONSHIPS - MULTI-YEAR OPPORTUNITY TO HOST: Councillors recommended the CEO be authorised to offer $20,000 in sponsorship assistance to Karting Australia to attract the Australian Kart Championships in 2026. As part of the 2026/2027 budget process Council will allocate another $20,000 to meeting hosting fees for a potential second year of the championships in 2027. The funding will only be available if the Australian Karting Championships are held outside a school holiday or long weekend period. The Australian Kart Championships are a national-level event with an international reach that will deliver social, economic and reputational benefits.
UPDATE ON SISTER CITY RELATIONSHIPS: Councillors noted the report which provided an update on the status of Sister City relationships between Dubbo and Minokamo Japan, Wujiang China, Osawano Japan and Cheong-ju. The report also highlighted the exploration of new exchange opportunities.
CONFIDENTIAL - VICTORIA PARK AMENITY BLOCK, DESIGN AND CONSTRUCT: Councillors deferred the matter for consideration at the August Ordinary Council meeting.
Corporate Services Committee
2026 BIENNIAL SURVEY FOR COMMUNITY SATISFACTION AND NEEDS: Councillors recommended to maintain the biennial community satisfaction survey that supports outcomes such as transparency, fairness and accountability through a statistically valid survey delivered externally via phone and online.
CONFIDENTIAL - SOLAR CAR PARK WITH BATTERY & EV CHARGING TENDER -DUBBO REGIONAL AIRPORT: Councillors deferred the matter for consideration at the August Ordinary Council meeting.
CONFIDENTIAL - OUTCOME OF EXPRESSION OF INTEREST PROCESS - SALE OR LEASE OF 93L RAILWAY LANE, WONGARBON: Councillors recommended to accept the expression of interest submitted by Harry Brown and Sophie Brown to purchase the premises. A sunset date of 31 October will apply to negotiations, with Council to enter into negotiations with Native Secrets Australia if the negotiations with Harry Brown and Sophie Brown are unsuccessful or not completed by the sunset date.
CONFIDENTIAL - PROPOSED SALE OF WALKWAY - LANEWAY BETWEEN MEADOWBANK DRIVE AND SPRINGFIELD WAY, DUBBO: Councillors recommended to complete the road closure process required by the Roads Act 1993 in relation to the laneway between Meadowbank Drive and Springfield Way and upon closure the area will be vested as Council operational land. Upon being classed as operational land Council will sell the laneway in portions to the owners of 33 Meadowbank Drive and 46 Springfield Way, in accordance with the terms detailed in the report.