Council awarded 18 groups across the shire their share of more than $28,000 in community grants, received a fresh update on Toose Road and made decisions on the future of our swimming pools at the May meeting held on Tuesday.
The ordinary meeting was held in Council Chambers from 9am on Tuesday 16 May 2023.
For a full outline of the meeting, the discussion points and supporting documentation, please refer to Council meeting agendas & minutes.
The meeting was also live-streamed via Council’s YouTube page.
Emergency Services Levy
The NSW Government has announced a drastic and short notice change that means Council will face an unacceptable increase in the Emergency Services Levy. 43% of Council’s previously determined rate increase for the next financial year will be taken up by this Levy increase.
As a result, Council moved to write to relevant ministers and members of parliament calling on the Government to:
- restore the subsidy
- separate the Levy from the Rate Page that caps Council rates so that the cost can be passed on
- request permission to show the Levy on rates notices
- develop a fairer, more transparent and financially sustainable solution
- publicise this change to the community
Council will also write to the Chair of the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal and the President of Local Government NSW regarding this issue.
Status of the Toose Road Landslip
A report outlining the status of the Toose Road Landslip and works carried out by Council staff was provided to Councillors.
The work that Council staff have done so far in responding to the situation and preparing a list of options for short-term solutions to the problems on Toose Road was acknowledged.
Councillors understand residents’ frustrations due to ongoing challenges with moving stock to the market and accessing services and goods and support the staff in their efforts to find the best possible solution.
Long term access options will be presented to the NSW Reconstruction Authority who will make the final decision ahead of a community information event to occur either in late May or early June 2023.
Storage shed for Kempsey Dragon Boat Club
Councillors unanimously granted the Kempsey Dragon Boat Club development consent with conditions to build a storage shed at Riverside Park.
More than $28,000 awarded to community groups
Councillors awarded $28,104.84 in grants to 18 community groups in the Mayoral, Sporting, Get Ready, and NAIDOC Week categories.
In round 2 of Council’s Community Grants Program, 25 applications were received, and 18 met the eligibility criteria. Representatives from the following organizations will be invited to a presentation in June 2023:
Mayoral Community Fund
| Community Group | Project | Grant amount |
|---|---|---|
| Macleay District Pony Club | Equipment upgrades and facility repairs | $2,000 |
| Macleay Valley Amateur Bee Association | Purchase of honey extraction equipment and gazebo | $3,000 |
| Total | $5,000 | |
Sporting Fund
| Community Group | Project | Grant amount |
|---|---|---|
| Crescent Head Netball Club | New sporting equipment | $1,219.72 |
| Kempsey Saints Football Club | New sporting equipment | $800 |
| Macleay Valley Moutain Bikers Club | New signs for trails and BBQ | $1,759.12 |
| Macleay Valley Mustangs Rugby League Club | New sporting equipment | $2,000 |
| South Kempsey Tennis Club | Clubhouse repairs | $1,878 |
| Total | $7,656.84 | |
Get Ready Grants
| Community Group | Project | Amount | |
|---|---|---|---|
South West Rocks Maritime Precinct | Purchase of Defibrillator | $2,065.00 | |
SPADCO | Emergency Equipment | $2,919.00 | |
Macleay Valley Community Art Gallery | New air-conditioning | $3,000.00 | |
South West Rocks CWA | New air-conditioning | $3,000.00 | |
Upper Macleay District Rodeo Association | Kitchen Equipment Upgrades | $3,000.00 | |
| Total | $13,984.00 | ||
NAIDOC Week Quick Grants
| Community Group | Project | Amount | |
|---|---|---|---|
Aboriginal Community Housing Ltd | Morning tea & craft | $250.00 | |
Aldavilla Public School | Educate & share knowledge to students through dance and art | $250.00 | |
Dalaigur Preschool | Smoking ceremony, weaving and cooking event | $250.00 | |
Dunghutti Elders Council Aboriginal Corporation | Elders Council community cultural gathering | $250.00 | |
Kempsey Local Aboriginal Land Council | Showcase Dawn Magazines with refreshments | $250.00 | |
South Kempsey Public School | Variety cultural activities with students | $250.00 | |
| Total | $1,500 | ||
Progress of plans for third quarter of 2022-23
Councillors noted the progress made in the third quarter of the Integrated Planning and Reporting Documents for 2022-23.
A snapshot of the Delivery Program and Operational Plan progress is below.
| Row Labels | 1: Environment | 2: Economy | 3: Community | 4: Leadership | Grand Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Completed | 5 | 5 | 3 | 3 | 16 |
Deferred | 2 | – | 1 | 1 | 4 |
In Progress | 54 | 24 | 26 | 18 | 122 |
Behind Schedule | 7 | 9 | 6 | – | 22 |
Grand Total | 68 | 38 | 36 | 22 | 164 |
A detailed report can be found in the business papers at Council meeting agendas & minutes.
Mayor and Councillor fees for 2023-24
Councillors adopted the fees for Mayor and Councillors as determined by the Local Government Remuneration Tribunal.
The fees payable to a Councillor for the 2023-24 financial year is $21,730, in accordance with section 248 of the Local Government Act.
The fees payable to the Mayor for the 2023-24 financial year is $47,240, in accordance with section 249 of the Local Government Act.
Petitions on developments in South West Rocks
Councillors noted petitions on height limits and preserving flora and fauna for development in South West Rocks.
The draft South West Rocks Structure Plan captures a small number of parcels of land in South West Rocks that have no height limits. These will be included in the Kempsey Local Environment Plan review and update in the 2023-23 financial year.
The South West Rocks Structure Plan is expected to be reported to the June 2023 Council Meeting.
In relation to fauna and flora removal, Council will continue to operate within the relevant environmental and planning legislation. Council will also work with developers to minimise environmental impacts wherever possible, but outside the legislative framework, Council does not have the power to direct developers.
Public swimming pool contracts awarded
Councillors discussed the tenders received to run Kempsey, Gladstone and South West Rocks swimming pools.
Lifeguarding Services Australia Pty Ltd were awarded the five year tenders of Kempsey and South West Rocks swimming pools.
Tenders for Gladstone pool were rejected as the tendered amount exceeded the projected budget.
Council will negotiate directly with two of the tenderers, Lifeguarding Services Australia Pty Ltd and HudoSwim and Fitness Pty Ltd, to run the Gladstone pool for a one year with further one year options.
This will enable Council to examine future options for the facility, including community engagement and economic assessment in the context of the Special Rate Variation Investigation project.
A report on the ongoing operation of Gladstone pool will be presented to a future Council Meeting.
This follows the resolution made at the December 2022 Council Meeting. Learn more at Council meeting agendas & minutes.
Order of Business considered in open session
10.1 Toose Road Update
10.2 DA2200577 Development Application for Dragon Boat Storage Shed
10.3 Community Grant Program 2022-23 – Round 2
10.4 2022-23 Quarter 3 Corporate Performance Report
10.5 Mayoral and Councillor Fees for 2022-23
10.6 Petitions – Development at South West Rocks
10.7 Statement of Cash and Investments – April 2023
