Among the agenda items for consideration by Council is the feasibility plan conducted for the South West Rocks library and changes to the South West Rocks Height of Building map, and the establishment of the Flood Risk Management Reference Group among other items at its October meeting.
Attending Councillors were Cr. Hauville (Mayor and Chairperson), Cr. Bain, Cr. Butterfield, Cr. Riddington, C. Ring, Cr. Saul, Cr. Wyatt
Apologies: Cr. Patterson, Cr. Ferguson, Craig Milburn (General Manager), Wes Trotter (Director Utilities)
The meeting was held in Council Chambers from 9am on 17 October 2023. You can read the detailed agenda and reports in the business papers and a video of the meeting can be viewed on Council’s YouTube page and below.
The Mayor opened the meeting with an acknowledgement of the serious fire situation in the Willawarrin, the tragedy of a lost life, and the continuing threat faced by the community from the fire.
South West Rocks Library refurbishment
The existing library facility at South West Rocks is a demountable building that has long been in need of an upgrade. Council has undertaken a high-level feasibility study for a new library based on a short-list of potential project sites within the South West Rocks structure plan footprint to determine the most suitable site.
This report explains the findings and proposed next steps, including a recommendation for the allocation of funding for a minor refurbishment of the existing South West Rocks library facility to improve the amenity and visitor experience.
Based on the outcomes of the recently completed high-level feasibility study, a Council-owned build, supported by grant funding, is the only financially viable option for a new facility, confirming Landsborough St as the preferred site for a future Library and ruling out any lease options.
Council will continue to apply for grant funding and will be able to use the agreed dedicated site as part of any application.
RECOMMENDATION CARRIED
That Council:
1. Acknowledges that a library and community hub in South West Rocks has been a longstanding identified need and included in Council’s adopted strategies such as ‘Community Infrastructure Strategy, Your Future Places and Spaces’, adopted by Council in 2020
2. Notes that based on the recently completed high-level feasibility study, a Council-owned build, supported by grant funding, is the only financially viable option for a new facility, ruling out any lease options
3. Notes that the existing Landsborough St site has been identified as the preferred future site for a library and community centre in South West Rocks
4. Notes that aside from the development costs, the cost of the operation of a new library and community centre is unaffordable at present, and alternative funding options would need to be investigated to be able to financially provide this service in the future
5. Notes that alternative funding options referred to in item 4 above will continue to be investigated and considered in future Delivery Programs and Operational Plans
6. Suspends the Operational Plan action, CO.OP21, to “Investigate options and design concepts for a new library facility and community centre at South West Rocks” and remove the $485,000 budget allocated for this item in the September Quarterly Budget.
South West Rocks building heights to align with community expectations
South West Rocks is the main coastal township within the Kempsey Shire and is recognised as both an important tourist destination and sea change location. Population projections identify South West Rocks is expected to continue experiencing the highest rate of residential growth within the Kempsey Shire over the next 20 years which will place pressure on existing public services, infrastructure, and facilities. This will be in addition to the challenges of protecting and conserving the existing natural environment and cultural heritage of the place as residential and commercial development increases.
To ensure this expected growth rate can be provided for, Council developed the South West Rocks (SWR) Structure Plan which provides a strategic framework for the future growth and demonstrates how it can be managed. It guides changes to land use, built form and public spaces that together achieve economic, social and environmental objectives for the study area. The SWR Structure Plan study area includes the town centre of South West Rocks, and the villages of New Entrance, Arakoon and Jerseyville.
Council considered a planning proposal to amend the Kempsey Local Environment Plan (KLEP 2013) Height of Building map to align with the adopted South West Rocks Structure Plan. This amendment will allow the proposal to move to the next stage of the local plan making process. The proposal is for an 8.5m building height in most locations with some exceptions. The proposed changes to building heights are consistent with Council’s South West Rocks Structure Plan 2023 and aligns with both the community’s expectations and enhances the identified vision for this area.
RECOMMENDATION CARRIED
That Council:
1. Submits the planning proposal which seeks to amend the Height of Buildings Map for various lots within South West Rocks, to the Minister for Planning and Public Spaces for gateway consideration pursuant to section 3.34 of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979;
2. Requests that the Secretary of the Department of Planning and Environment issue Council with written authorisation to exercise plan making delegations in relation to this proposal;
3. Undertakes, subject to the gateway determination, community consultation for the planning proposal as required.
Flood Management Risk Management Reference Group established
Council considered the proposal to reestablish of the Kempsey Flood Risk Management Reference Group to discuss ongoing flood risk matters associated with the NSW Government Floodplain Management Program including the immediate project of the Lower Macleay Flood Risk Management Study and Plan.
Council is a key stakeholder in flood risk management process and is primarily responsible for the organisation of a Flood Risk Management Reference Group. This group, also referred to as a Floodplain Risk Managment Committee, is a recommendation in the NSW Government guidelines for managing flood prone land.
The re-establishment of the Flood Risk Management Reference Group is seen as an important addition and will promote better collaboration with landowners, state agencies, Council, and Council staff regarding the issues pertaining to flooding.
RECOMMENDATION CARRIED
That Council:
1. Endorses the reestablishment of the Flood Risk Management Reference Group
2. Notes the content of this report and the accompanied Expression of Interest and Terms of Reference for the Flood Risk Management Reference Group
3. Council appoints the Mayor as the chairperson
4. Elects a Councillor as delegate to the Flood Risk Management Reference Group in open voting.
Stephen Mitchell, Acting General Manager, took nominations for the Councillor representative on the committee. Nominations included:
- Cr. Wyatt
- Cr. Ring
Councillors voted in favour of Cr. Wyatt, and the acting-GM declared Cr. Wyatt as the Council representative on the reference group.
Notices of Motion
Active Kids
There is a motion to acknowledge the importance of the Active Kids Vouchers to the community and the impact of their removal. Previously the Active Kids Voucher was $100 for all families twice a year. The new voucher will be for $50 and will be issued twice a year, at the start of terms 1 and 3, beginning in 2024. The motion requests that Council writes to Members of NSW Parliament, requesting the NSW Government to reinstate the previous Active Kids vouchers.
This motion was passed.
School leaders
A second Notice of Motion requests that Council writes to the high schools and colleges in the Kempsey Shire to invite their School Leaders for 2024 to present at the February 2024 Ordinary Council Meeting and incorporates this invitation as an annual action in the Delivery Program-Operational Plan. Senior School Leaders for 2024 have just taken up their roles at high schools and colleges across the Kempsey Shire. This is an exciting time for these students who are the elected leaders of the school community, and indeed our youth. By inviting Senior School Leaders to engage in a Council meeting we are giving them a voice, nurturing their aspirations and building their relationship with other leaders in the community.
This motion was passed.
Toose Road rates
Council will consider possible solutions for the affected property owners affected by the Toose Road landslip. The motion requests that Council advises affected property owners of the options available to them to seek a reduction in the amount of rates they pay including:
a. lodging an objection to their land valuation with the Valuer-General,
b. making an application to Council for consideration under Council’s Hardship procedure
c. requesting financial assistance for affected property owners from Council.
This motion was passed.
Mayoral Minute
The Mayor put forward a Mayoral Minute to suggest a solution for the expected large public gallery for the November Council meeting when the Special Rate Variation will be discussed. The Mayor requested that Council:
1. acknowledge the significant public interest in Council’s potential application for a special rate variation
2. acknowledges that the November ordinary meeting of Council will be likely to have a large public gallery, and a larger number of applications to speak on the public forum
3. requests that the General manager reviews the schedule for the November public forum and meeting, and investigates alternative venues
4. delegates to the General Manager the power to, in consultation with the Mayor, vary the schedule and location for the November public forum and ordinary meeting of Council to accommodate the expected public gallery.
The Mayoral minute was carried.
Other Business considered in open session
10.1. South West Rocks Library – Planning Update & Proposed Refurbishment
10.2. Planning Proposal PP2300005 – SWR Structure Plan Building Heights
10.3. Establishment Flood Risk Management Reference Group
10.4. 2024 Local Event Day Applications
10.5. Council Offices, Libraries and Depot 2023 Christmas – New Year close down
10.6. Disclosure of Interest Returns
10.7. Statement of Cash and Investments – September 2023
11.1. Notice of Motion – Active Kids Vouchers
11.2. Notice of Motion – School Leaders Presentation
11.3. Notice of Motion – Toose Road Rate Reductions
11.4. Delegates Report – Country Mayors Association Regional Health Forum
12.1. Legal Matters
12.2. Audit, Risk & Improvement Committee Meeting Minutes – 12 September 2023
12.3. Willawarrin WTP Design & Construction Tender – TQE23/1
12.4. Sale of Land for Unpaid Rates and Charges
12.5. Confidential Mayoral Minute – General Manager’s Performance Review
You can view the October 2023 agenda, official minutes, and business papers at Council meeting agendas & minutes.
The meeting was live-streamed via Council’s YouTube page
Watch the recording of the video here.
