Dubbo Regional Council met on Thursday 13 April, 2023, for the Standing Committee Meetings of the Infrastructure, Planning and Environment Committee; Culture and Community Committee and Corporate Services Committee.
Actions from the Standing Committee Meetings will be presented at future council meetings for adoption by councillors.
INFRASTRUCTURE, PLANNING AND ENVIRONMENT
BUILDING SUMMARY – MARCH 2023
Councillors noted the report. Councillors acknowledged the figures, with the number of DAs approved to date for the same period last year being slightly up, showing the Dubbo market has held the trend despite other factors.
DRAFT DEVELOPMENT CONTROL PLAN – BINDARI ESTATE
Councillors adopted the draft Bindari Estate Development Control Plan for the purpose of public exhibition. The plan will be placed on public exhibition for 28 days in accordance with the requirements of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act, 1979.
Initial discussions have been held with the Dubbo Aboriginal Community Working Party on the name of the estate, with further discussion to be held with all stakeholders.
Following completion of the public exhibition period a further report will be presented to Council for consideration.
AWARD OF TENDER FOR FLOURIDE DOSING SYSTEM AT JOHN GILBERT WATER TREATMENT PLANT:
As per clause 3.20 of the Code of Meeting Practice, Subject to clause 3.21, the Chief Executive Officer may put to the meeting, in writing, without notice any matter or topic that is within the jurisdiction of the Council, or of which the Council has official knowledge. As per clause 3.21 that requires a decision by the Council before the next scheduled Ordinary Meeting of the Council. Under this clause this additional item was added to the meeting.
Delegated authority was given to the Standing Committee to accept a tender for the works on fluoride.
Councillors determined TWS Evolution be engaged for the contract for a new fluoride dosing system at the John Gilbert Water Treatment Plant at the tendered amount of $1,192,101 (inc GST) subject to the final assessment documentation from NSW Public Works and concurrence from the Department of Planning and Industry.
Works are expected to start in May and will take approximately 27 weeks to complete with an expected completion in November 2023.
CULTURE AND COMMMUNITY COMMITTEE
REPORT OF THE CULTURAL AND TOURISM FACILITY COMMITTEE – MEETING 12 DECEMBER 2022
The meeting did not form a quorum and therefore the meeting was not held. The next meeting will be considered as the first formal meeting of the committee. Councillors noted the report.
REPORT OF THE SISTER CITY COMMITTEE – MEETING 27 FEBRUARY 2023
Councillors noted a report. The committee agreed to recommend signage be installed at the entrance of the Shoyoen Gardens depicting the design, construction and congoing development and the contribution from Minokamo in 2023.
REPORT OF THE RECONCILIATION ACTION PLAN WORKING GROUP – MEETING 28 FEBRUARY 2023
Councillors noted the report.
REPORT OF THE WELLINGTON TOWN COMMITTEE – MEETING 6 MARCH 2023
Councillors noted the report. An additional meeting of the Wellington Town Committee will be held on Monday, 15 May regarding the Draft 2023/2024 Delivery Program and Operational Plan, Budget and Associated Documents to allow for the Community Representatives of the Committee to make either individual or joint submissions during the public exhibition period via the formal submission process.
REPORT OF THE PUBLIC SPACES TREE COMMITTEE – MEETING 28 MARCH 2023
Councillors noted the report.
REPORT OF THE WIRADJURI TOURISM PROJECT COMMITTEE – MEETING 30 MARCH 2023
Councillors noted the report. A report was presented to the Standing Committees outlining the recommendations of the committee in regards to the Wiradjuri Tourism Project. Because of the nature of the report it was discussed during confidential session as part of the Destination Dubbo update.
MACQUARIE CONSERVATORIUM OF MUSIC FACILITY OPTIONS
Council gave permission to the CEO to negotiate a Commercial Lease of a Council Building with the Macquarie Conservatorium for maximum period of 5 years.
Council will also offer an Interest Free Loan for the purpose of a fit out for any building to the Macquarie Conservatorium to be repayable over a five year period equal annual repayments to the maximum loan value of $500,000.
DUBBO AQUATIC LEISURE CENTRES REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL
Councillors called for a request for proposal for the Contract Management of the Dubbo Aquatic Centres including Dubbo Aquatic Leisure Centres, Wellington Aquatic Centre and Geurie Pool. The proposals could be for a single facility or for multiple facilities.
The proposal is for the operational management of the contract for a five year period, starting on 1 July 2023 and finishing on 30 June 2028. There is an option for an additional two, 12 month extensions, as indicated within the specification.
There are provisions outlined in the operational setting within each of the facilities under contract management, and the fees and chargers would be dependent on guidelines outlined by council.
The Contract is responsible for all operational maintenance and council would be responsible for all Capital Works and asset maintenance over $2,000 required at all any of the three facilities.
This is only a request for proposal, which provides more details than an expression of interest but is not a contract.
MACQUARIE RIVER – TRACKER RILEY WALKWAY – EROSION REPORT
Council endorsed the Soil Conservation Services report detailing the erosion at the Lady Cutler South side and the recommendations of moving the Tracker Riley walkway away from the bank retreat scarp and establish a vegetated buffer of between 20 – 30 metres to assist in bank stabilisation.
The maximum distance that the path can be moved to the east without impacting the sporting fields is 20 metres, allowing for the width of the path being 2.5m).
The new section of the Tracker Riley Walkway will be installed as a concrete path.
WELLINGTON STREET TREE MASTERPLAN – PUBLIC EXHIBITION
The report for the Wellington Street Tree Master Plan was noted with amendments. It was recommended the Wellington Street Tree Master Plan be adopted with the amendments and the responses for each of the major themes identified be noted.
Council are asked to consider funding opportunities for a street tree planting budget for Wellington that includes, but is not limited to, a general rate fund budget allocating proceeds from future planning agreements and other external resources.
REVIEW OF THE PUBLIC TREE REMOVAL – AMENITY VALUATION POLICY
The report Review of the Public Tree Removal – Amenity Valuation Policy (2023) was noted and adopted with the amendments.
That the report Review of the Public Tree Removal – Amenity Valuation Policy (2023) be noted.
The report will be placed on public exhibition for four weeks in April/May before the report will be tabled at the July 2023 Ordinary Meeting of Council for consideration of adopting the Policy, with amendments if required from the public exhibition.
DUBBO REGIONAL COUNCIL TREE PRESERVATION ORDER (PUBLIC TREES) AND SIGNIFICANT TREE REGISTER
The Dubbo Regional Council Tree Preservation Order and Significant Tree Register 2023 was noted, and the recommendation is the register be adopted with the identified changes noted.
Should a resident wish to apply to add a tree to the register they can contact Council.
DETERMINATION OF COUNCILLOR MEMBERSHIP ON DISABILITY ACCESS AND INCLUSION ADVISORY COMMITTEE
Council determined that Clr Pamella Wells, Clr Shibli Chowdhury and Clr Joshua Black will become members of the new Disability Access and Inclusion Advisory committee. The Councillors will form part of the review panel for the received expressions of interest from community members and decide on membership.
DRTCC PHOTOGRAPHY POLICY REVIEW
That the Dubbo Regional Theatre and Convention Centre (DRTCC) Photography Policy to continue without change.
All complaints regarding child safety or inappropriate photographs and/or filming at DRTCC will be directed to the Hirer in the first instance with the expectation any complaint will be dealt with in a satisfactory manner and the resolution be communicated to the manager DRTCC
SUBMIT PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT BETWEEN WELLINGTON ABORIGINAL ACTION PANEL AND DUBBO REGIONAL COUNCIL
The Partnership Agreement between Wellington Aboriginal Action panel and Dubbo Regional Council was adopted and the official signing of the agreement will be actioned by the Wellington Aboriginal Action Panel and representatives of Dubbo Regional Council.
DESTINATION DUBBO PROJECT UPDATE
Councillors determined the Wiradjuri Tourism Centre is the priority project in the Destination Dubbo projects funded by Infrastructure NSW and the Events Precinct is the secondary priority.
That it be noted the Heritage Plaza outside the Old Dubbo Gaol is proceeding given the demolition and earthworks undertaken to date.
CORPORATE SERVICES COMMITTEE
REPORT OF THE DUBBO REGIONAL LIVESTOCK MARKETS ADVISORY COMMITTEE – MEETING 13 DECEMBER 2022 AND MEETING 14 MARCH 2023
Councillors noted the reports before them.
REPORT OF THE AUDIT AND RISK MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE – MEETING 4 APRIL 2023
Councillors noted the report before them.
INVESTMENT UNDER SECTION 625 OF THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT ACT – MARCH 2023
Councillors noted the report before them.
QUARTERLY REPORT ON COMPLAINT STATISTICS UNDER COUNCIL’S CODE OF CONDUCT
Councillors noted the report before them. The report covers complaints received for the 2022/2023 financial year to date. Currently $5,597.50 has been spent on complaints between July 2022 and September 2022. A further two complains were received between January 2023 and March 2023, however it was determined there was no breach of the Code of Conduct in these two cases.
RISK MANAGEMENT COUNCIL POLICY
Council adopt the draft Risk Management Policy. The risk management policy will now be presented at an upcoming Council meeting for endorsement.
DRAFT COUNCIL POLICY RELATED PARTY DISCLOSURE
Council adopted the draft Related Party Disclosure Policy. The revision of council policy is required to ensure they are still current and meeting best practice standard.
AMENDMENT TO COUNCIL POLICY – PUBLIC INTEREST DISCLOSURES AND INTERNAL REPORTING
Councillors adopted the amendments. The Public Interest Disclosures and Internal Reporting Policy was previously revised in 2020 in accordance with the recommendation of the NSW Ombudsman’s Office and is based on the model policy, and guidelines, provided by the NSW Ombudsman’s Office at that time.
2023/2024 DESTINATION PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM FEES AND CHARGES
Councillors adopted the charges for the 2023/2023 Destination Partnership Program as outlined in the report with a note for the Visitor Information Centre (VIC) Partnership Program fee be removed from the revenue policy.
