Four new Precinct Advisory Committees will be created for Barraba, Dungowan/Nundle, Kootingal/Moonbi/Bendemeer and Manilla in a move which aims to strengthen the connection between the community and Tamworth Regional Council.
At tonight's Ordinary Meeting, Councillors gave the go ahead for the new committees to be established.
Councillors agreed to discuss at a workshop the Terms of Reference for the committees with the intent of achieving "the best outcomes possible to allow the community to achieve its goals and aspirations".
They also asked for a further report to be received once the Terms of Reference are finalised for adoption and to appoint community members to each committee.
Councillors acknowledged the support and management of the new committees will make it necessary to have an additional staff resource within Council's Place Management team, with the budget to be sourced from the General Fund.
An Expression of Interest process will be undertaken to encourage community members to apply for membership to the committees.
Tamworth Region Mayor Russell Webb said creating the committees is a direct response to the community's requests for improved two-way communication.
"These committees will provide a further opportunity for community members to communicate with Council and be directly involved in creating positive change," he said.
"It's important our community knows Councillors do listen to them. I see that these committees will add to the improved communication which has already happened through the Councillor Catch Ups and the launch of a monthly community newsletter as a result of the Tamworth Region Communications Strategy which was adopted in late 2022.
"One of the strategy's actions was to set up community-based working groups or committees to enhance the two-way communication between Council and community members."
The report to Council explained the new committees will not replace any existing single purpose or facility-based committees such as those managing a showground or sports field.
Expressions of Interest for committee membership will open after the Terms of Reference are finalised.
