Summary of Council's 18 July 2022 Ordinary Meeting

Cat containment

Council resolved to write to the Office of Local Government and other relevant agencies requesting an update to changes in legislation which would provide a mechanism for councils to introduce cat curfews in their local government areas to more responsibly manage cats.

Council also resolved to write to Local Government NSW requesting an update of any advocacy on this issue since cat containment became part of the policy platform in 2019.

Councillors will also receive a report considering any additional actions or policy changes open to Council to encourage responsible cat management and containment in the Wagga Wagga Local Government Area.

NOM-1 NOTICE OF MOTION - CAT CONTAINMENT

LGNSW Special Conference

Council received a report on the Local Government NSW Special Conference held in Sydney earlier in the year.

The Special Conference included debate and resolution of motions setting the Local Government NSW's advocacy agenda for 2022.

CR-1 REPORT ON LGNSW SPECIAL CONFERENCE

Facilities funding accepted

Council agreed to accept the funding offer of $5,000,000 for Stage 1 of the Bolton Park Sports Hub project and $2,741,255 for the construction of a synthetic running track at the Bill Jacob Athletics Centre.

Council recently received these two offers of funding for the upgrade of the Jim Elphick Tennis Centre and Bill Jacob Athletics Centre under the NSW Government's 2021/22 Multi-Sport Community Facility Fund.

RP-1 2021/22 MULTI-SPORT COMMUNITY FACILITY FUND - GRANT OFFER

Changes to Peck Street parking

Council agreed to revoke the Murrumbidgee Local Health District 'Authorised Vehicles Only' arrangement on Peck Street, Wagga Wagga, once the hospital's new multistorey car park is completed.

Peck Street will revert to unrestricted parallel parking, available to the public.

RP-2 PECK STREET PARKING - WAGGA WAGGA BASE HOSPITAL

Funding for two new community events

Council agreed to sponsor two new events through the 2022/23 Major Events and Sponsorship budget:

  • Bush Fringes 'Wagga Wagga Fringe Festival' will receive $10,000 funding, with spending conditions
  • Apex Club of South Wagga Wagga's 'Motor Mania' will also receive $10,000 funding.

Council declined the Rywang Community Wagga Wagga's application for sponsorship for Australia Rvwang Dvci Oqa Wa Kung due to eligibility issues, however noted the event has already received $6000 through Council's Annual Grants Program which will be used to proceed with the 2022 event.

The 2022/23 Major Events and Sponsorship funding is available to support events held from 20 July 2022 to 30 June 2023.

RP-3 MAJOR EVENTS FESTIVALS AND FILMS SPONSORSHIP - ROUND ONE

Waste disposal fees waived for local charities

Council agreed to waive $5050 of waste disposal fees for the following local charities:

  • Defence Shed Wagga Wagga Inc – $1000
  • Kurrajong Waratah – $1000
  • Riding for the Disabled (NSW) Wagga Centre – $1000
  • South Wagga Anglican Church Chain Gang – $300
  • Anglican Opportunity Shop – $500
  • Rotary Club of South Wagga Wagga Inc – $1000
  • Wagga Wagga Baptist Facilities Inc – $250

RP-4 APPLICATIONS FOR SUBSIDY FOR WASTE DISPOSAL FOR CHARITY ORGANISATIONS

Land policy adopted

Council agreed to adopt the Acquisition, Disposal and Management of Land Policy after the policy's public exhibition period ended, with no public submissions received.

This broader land management policy was created after Council staff undertook a review of the Leasing and Licensing Policy and noted that Council did not have any formal policy in relation to the acquisition and/or disposal of land.

RP-6 ACQUISITION, DISPOSAL AND MANAGEMENT OF LAND POLICY POL 038

Budget variations approved

Council approved the proposed 2022/23 budget variations required to manage the 2022/23 budget and Long-Term Financial Plan.

The proposed 2022/23 budget variations included:

  • RRL Advance Payment – $200,000
  • Indoor Stadium Cleaning – $39,000
  • Bidgee Rugby League Development Carnival – $9000
  • Brucedale Tennis Courts Refurbishment – $140,000
  • Visual Art Commissioning – $70,000
  • Management of High Priority Weeds – $30,000
  • Gobbagombalin Stormwater Infrastructure Project – $100,000
  • Queen's Jubilee Tree Planting – $9000
  • Incarnie Crescent Stormwater Augmentation – $462,000
  • NSW Planning Portal API Grant – $80,000
  • NSW RFS, SES and Fire and Rescue Contributions – ($325,000).

Council is forecasting a balanced budget position for the 2022/23 financial year as at 18 July 2022.

RP-7 2022/23 BUDGET VARIATIONS AND 30 JUNE 2022 INVESTMENT REPORT

Requests for financial assistance

Council supported waiving a $2400 fee for Wagga Wagga Circus Quirkus, a $1680 venue hire fee for the St Vincent de Paul Society and a $1188.10 basketball court hire fee for the PCYC Savannah Pride Program.

RP-8 REQUESTS FOR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE

Raiders returning in 2023

Council agreed to host a Raiders NRL Match in 2023, following the success of the previous agreement with the Raiders to host NRL matches in Wagga Wagga in 2019, 2021 and 2022.

CONF-1 RAIDERS NRL MATCH 2023

Wagga Wagga School of Arts

Council agreed to enter into a licence agreement with Wagga Wagga School of Arts Inc. for premises located at 18 Mathoura Avenue, Mount Austin.

CONF-2 LICENCE AGREEMENT TO WAGGA WAGGA SCHOOL OF ARTS INC. (SOACT) - 18 MATHOURA AVENUE, MOUNT AUSTIN

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