Last night's Council meeting discussed the appointment of a member for the Joint Regional Planning Panel and the possibility of recycling textiles locally, while former Mayor Jason Hamling was awarded for his service to local government.
Here are some key decisions.
New member for the Joint Regional Planning Panel (JRPP)
Joint Regional Planning Panels (JRPP) have been established across NSW since 2009 and are tasked with the responsibility to make decisions on Regionally Significant Development and provide advice on planning proposals.
They consider some of the most important developments in regional areas. Generally, these projects have a capital investment value greater than $30 million.
The structure of the JRPP consists of five (5) panellists, of which three (3) are appointed by the State, including the Chair, and the remaining two (2) are local panellists appointed by the relevant Council.
Council previously appointed Councillor Melanie McDonell as Council's primary representative, with Councillor Gerald Power as the alternate member when Cr McDonell is unavailable.
The second position that Council has on the Panel must be filled by a person who has appropriate expertise in the area of planning, architecture, heritage, the environment, urban design, land economics, traffic and transport, law, engineering, tourism or government and public administration.
Council's former Senior Town Planner, Summer Commins has been appointed in that position.
Recycled textiles
Council supported a notice of motion to have staff investigate the costs and practicalities of a drop-off textiles recycling capacity being offered at the Orange Ophir Road Resource Recovery Centre.
Staff investigations will include looking at grant funding opportunities as well as partnership opportunities with a number of different organisations.
Quarterly budget review
Last night's meeting heard a report from Council's Chief Financial Officer for the third quarter being January to March 2025.
The quarterly budget review showed that Council is tracking well to budget financially, operating close to the forecasted result.
Former Mayor recognised for his service
Former Mayor Jason Hamling was awarded a Service Award for 20 years in Local Government at the LGNSW Awards in 2024. Jason was unfortunately unable to attend the event to receive his award and was therefore presented with his award at last night's meeting.
Jason was a Councillor elected to Orange City Council from 2004 to 2024. During this time, he was Deputy Mayor on 2 occasions and most recently elected as Mayor in 2021.
Jason chaired Council's Sport and Recreation Committee. He is a founding board member of Ronald McDonald House Central West and has served on the Domestic Violence Working Committee, the Crime Committee and the Palliative Care Community Committee. He was a member of member of the Audit, Risk and Improvement Advisory Committee, NAIDOC Week Community Committee, Companion Animals Community Committee, Orange and Cabonne Road Safety Community Committee, Sister Cities Community Committee and the Orange City Council representative on the Joint Organisation, Association of Mining Related Councils, TDO Ltd, Civic Risk Mutual and Ronald McDonald House.
With such service to the community this is well-deserved recognition.
Year 11 students in attendance
The Council Meeting also hosted a group of 30 Kinross Year 11 Legal Studies students last night who viewed the meeting as part of their studies of the Legal System and provided them with an insight into Council to assist in their studies.
