Summary of Council's 26 October Ordinary Meeting

Focus on pedestrian walkways

A safety review of four pedestrian walkways in suburbs across Wagga Wagga has been endorsed by Council which will now implement various recommendations at each location.

Council staff and Crime Prevention Officers from the Riverina Police District undertook site audits at the four locations where Council had received complaints, petitions or concerns from residents.

These locations include: Bandera Avenue, Glenfield; Walla Place, Glenfield Park; Lusher Avenue, Turvey Park; Yungana Place, Glenfield Park

Bollards will be installed at Bandera, Walla and Lusher walkways along with other safety measures, whilst there will be a temporary closure of the Yungana Place walkway.

Total cost of treatments to all sites (excluding the lighting and visibility improvements at three of the four sites and the proposed upgrade to the playground and shade for Bandera Ave) is $24,148.

The lighting infrastructure upgrades detailed in the report will be followed up with Essential Energy and any cost implications would be reported back to Council. A proposed upgrade to the playground and shade for Bandera Avenue, Glenfield Park, will be subject to Council's business and financial planning processes.

  • RP-1 WAGGA WAGGA PEDESTRIAN WALKWAY REVIEW REPORT

Planning statement for public exhibition

A detailed draft document setting out the 20-year vision for land use throughout the Wagga Wagga Local Government Area has been endorsed to go on public exhibition.

The draft Local Strategic Planning Statement (LSPS) also details how land use changes will be managed into the future. It will form the basis of rezoning decisions, and inform the review of planning controls across the whole LGA, guiding development outcomes.

Community members will be able to view the LSPS during the next 42 days and be offered the opportunity to discuss it at various community engagement workshops and planned sessions.

Submissions will be assessed before any changes to the draft LSPS goes back to Council for approval.

This is the first LSPS for Wagga Wagga under the present legislative arrangements. Reviews and updates will occur alongside the review and adoption of the Community Strategic Plan every four years.

The LSPS will strengthen and guide future planning for the city, providing an integrated approach to the various opportunities and pressures facing Wagga Wagga by focusing on the long-term vision and priorities for land use planning.

  • RP-2 EXHIBITION OF DRAFT WAGGA WAGGA LOCAL STRATEGIC PLANNING STATEMENT

Lake Albert Draft Plan of Management

The Lake Albert Draft Plan of Management will be referred to the NSW Department of Planning, Industry and the Environment for review and consent to place on public exhibition.

Council endorsed the process the draft plan must follow before it receives another report after the public notice period and also a public hearing.

Recent reforms to the Crown Land Management Act 2016 have transferred the care, management and control of dedicated or reserved Crown Land to Council, in accordance with the Local Government Act 1993. The Act requires plans of management to be prepared for all community land.

A plan of management is an overarching strategic planning document that guides and informs a range of more detailed plans and policies for the day to day planning, design and management of the community land. Plans of management can be developed concurrently with masterplans to ensure future development opportunities reflect community desire and expectations.

The plan explores development and improvement opportunities as well as the stakeholder requests as identified during consultation to date.

  • RP-3 DRAFT LAKE ALBERT PLAN OF MANAGEMENT

Council joins Welcoming Cities initiative

Council has agreed to join the Welcoming Cities initiative to create greater awareness about Wagga Wagga's inclusive and diverse community and drive economic growth.

Welcoming Cities is an initiative of Welcoming Australia funded by the Scanlon Foundation. The initiative was launched nationally in March 2016 and seeks to support Local Governments and communities to develop a more cohesive approach to migration, settlement, cultural diversity and inclusion - delivering greater social and economic outcomes for all residents.

Membership is free and will be reviewed in 12 months.

  • RP-4 WELCOMING CITIES MEMBERSHIP

Financial statements audited

The 2019/20 Financial Statements recently completed and audited by the NSW Audit Office were presented and adopted by Council.

  • RP-5 ANNUAL FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 2019/20

Financial performance report

Council continues to forecast deficit budget positions as a result of the estimated financial impact the COVID-19 pandemic is having on many businesses, with local councils not immune to the pandemic.

At this stage, Council continues to forecast a $4.2M deficit budget position for the 2020/21 budget year (as at 30 September 2020). This will be reviewed as the year progresses, with updates provided to Council as part of the monthly financial performance report.

The report was presented to Council tonight and adopted.

  • RP-6 FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE REPORT AS AT 30 SEPTEMBER 2020

Proposed reduced hire fee for hall

A proposed reduced fee for the public hire of the Mary Kidson Hall (former Family Day Care Playsession Hall) at the Botanic Gardens will be placed on public exhibition for 28 days.

Council staff has received a number of enquiries from not-for-profit community and social groups to use this facility during 2020/21.

In order to allow these groups to make regular and long-term bookings, it is proposed to add a new fee for social/community group hire of the Mary Kidson Hall at a 50% reduction to current hire rates which is consistent with the current fees and charges structure for other Council-owned halls and community centres.

  • RP-7 PROPOSED NEW AND AMENDED FEES AND CHARGES FOR 2020/21

Waste charges amended and fee waived

Council has agreed to amend the 2020/21 Fees and Charges to include the waiver of additional domestic waste management service charges for properties with a secondary dwelling utilised by a family member.

There were no submissions received during the public exhibition period.

  • RP-8 FEES AND CHARGES AMENDMENT - WASTE CHARGES ON PROPERTIES WITH A SECONDARY DWELLING

Code of Conduct Procedures and Administration

Council has resolve to adopt the Code of Conduct and Procedures for the Administration of the Code of Conduct.

The New Model Code and New Code Procedures contain amendments relating to:

* Definitions of council committees and council committee members.

* Update the language used to describe the various heads of discrimination to reflect more contemporary standards.

* Gifts and benefits.

* The establishment of conduct review panels.

* The procedures for investigating code of conduct complaints regarding councillors and general managers.

  • RP-9 MODEL CODE OF CONDUCT AND ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURES

Council meeting dates 2021

A schedule of Council meeting dates for 2021 was adopted tonight. Council is required to meet at least 10 times per financial year, each time in a different month.

NSW Local Government Elections will be held on 4 September 2021, therefore the first meeting of the new Council is proposed for 27 September 2021.

The first of 21 meetings next year will take place on Monday 18 January and the last for the year on Monday 13 December.

  • RP-10 2021 COUNCIL MEETING DATES

Resolutions and Notices of Motions updates

Council received updated registers which outline details of each Resolution and Notice of Motion as at 14 October 2020:

* 100 Active resolutions

* 15 resolutions including Notice of Motions have been completed from 16 September 2020 to 14 October 2020

* 13 Active Notices of Motions

  • RP-11 RESOLUTIONS AND NOTICES OF MOTIONS REGISTERS

Council accepts two tenders

Council has accepted the tenders of Riverina Traffic Control and Lack Group Traffic for the provision of traffic control services.

  • CONF-1 RFT 2021-05 PROVISION OF TRAFFIC CONTROL SERVICES

Council has accepted the tender of Murcury Group Pty Ltd trading as Supermix Concrete for the provision of ready-mix concrete and associated products for one year with the option of a one year extension.

  • CONF-2 RFT 2021-01 READY MIX CONCRETE & ASSOCIATED PRODUCTS SUPPLY
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