Dubbo Regional Council held the May Ordinary Meeting of Council at the Wellington Council Chambers on 26 May 2022, 5:30pm with the following resolutions.
PRESENTATION OF EMERITUS MAYOR – ANNEMARIE JONES OAM.
Dubbo Regional Council (DRC) Mayor Mathew Dickerson presented former Mayor of Wellington and former Deputy Mayor of Dubbo Regional Council, Annemarie Jones OAM with the prestigious honour of Emeritus Mayor, for her years of dedication to her role as Mayor.
MAYORAL MINUTE: FORMAL FINALISATION OF PERFORMANCE IMPROVEMENT ORDER
Council has now received a letter from the Minister for Local Government, The Hon. Wendy Tuckerman MP, advising that the PIO is now finalised. Council noted the letter and thanked the previous Mayor and Councillors for responding to the PIO and adopting policies and practices that ensured Council met the requirements of the Order.
RESPONSE TO NOTICE OF MOTION – DUBBO REGIONAL COUNCIL ROADS
DRC noted the report from Director of Infrastructure regarding the community concerns about the state of roads in the Dubbo Local Government Area. Manager Infrastructure Delivery, Luke Ryan spoke to his report, outlining the challenges Dubbo Regional Council faces in terms of maintaining the road network. “Over 1,300 km of unsealed roads and roads within the sealed network are diminishing due to the recent weather conditions. These roads are now routes for larger and heavier vehicles for which these roads were not necessarily deigned for, however, these issues are not necessarily unique to Dubbo,” said Mr Ryan. Mr Ryan also highlighted budget constraints and other considerations. The full summary can be obtained from the business paper on Council’s website.
COMMUNITY COMMITTEES
Council endorsed amended terms of reference for the following community committees. Councillor representation to the committees will be as follows:
- Councillors Black and Chowdhury on the Aquatics Working Party;
- The Mayor, and Councillors Ivey and Wright on the Climate Change and Resilience Committee;
- Councillors Burns, Mahon and Wells on the Cultural and tourism Facility Committee;
- The Mayor, and Councillors Etheridge and Mahon on the Dubbo Regional Livestock Markets Advisory Committee;
- The Mayor, Deputy Mayor, and Councillors Chowdhury and Wright on the Financial Performance Committee;
- Councillors Chowdhury and Wright on the Multicultural Advisory Committee;
- The Mayor, Deputy Mayor, and Councillors Black and Gough on the Public Spaces Tree Committee;
- Councillors Burns and Wells on the Reconciliation Action Plan Working Group;
- Councillors Burns, Chowdhury and Gough on the Sister City Committee;
- Councillors Etheridge, Gough and Wells on the Social Justice Advisory Committee;
- Councillors Black, Burns and Wright on the SPARC Committee;
- The Deputy Mayor and Councillor Chowdhury on the Villages Committee;
- The Deputy Mayor and Councillor Gough on the Wellington Town Committee;
- Councillors Burns, Wells and Wright on the Wiradjuri Tourism Project Committee;
- Councillors Gough and Wells for the Women in Leadership Forum; and
- Councillors Burns, Gough and Wells on the Youth Council.
Council is now advertising expressions of interest for community and industry members to form the committees. Please visit DRC’s website for more information and to make an expression of interest.
NOTICE OF MOTION: 3D PRINTED HOUSING TRIAL
Councillors resolved to set aside up to four residential blocks from the Stage 5 Release 3 of Keswick residential land release to enable a trial of 3D printed housing stock subject to regulatory guidelines. Council has requested the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) prepare a report for the September 2022 Ordinary Council Meeting that outlines any regulatory issues associated with 3D printed housing in NSW and Australia along with a framework of legislative requirements of a 3D printed house trial.
NOTICE OF MOTION: DASHBOARD REPORTING
Council has requested the CEO establish an effective mechanism of regular benchmarking reporting to Council on key facilities, major capital projects and strategic programs. The mechanism should be easy to interpret and utilise data that is already being collected for operational purposes. Such dashboard reporting could include as relevant:
- Comparative period reporting of facility/service usage and engagement,
- Operational performance against budget,
- Benchmarking to other Councils,
- High-level reasoning around positive or negative change in facility/service performance.
DRTCC PHOTOGRAPHY POLICY REVIEW
The current Photography Policy which identifies two designated photography areas backstage is deemed too restrictive by some local performing arts groups who want to capture behind-the-scenes photographs and footage of their performers and other members of their group.
Council resolved that the Dubbo Regional Theatre and Convention Centre (DRTCC) Photography Policy be amended to allow for all areas on stage and backstage to be available for photography and filming for all hirers except dressing rooms and toilets. Council also determined to amend the DRTCC Photography Policy to allow local and touring productions that have an adult cast and crew (all over 18 years old) opportunity to take photos and film in dressing rooms but not toilets, noting all persons being filmed or photographed must provide permission. Council requests that the amended DRTCC Photography Policy be considered as part of the Child Safe Standards being developed by Dubbo Regional Council, as part of the recommendations of the Royal Commission into Child Institutional responses to Child Sexual Abuse. Council requested a further report be provided to Council in March 2023 summarising implementation and compliance to the policy.
EVENT ASSISTANCE PROGRAM – 2021/2022 ROUND 2
To assist, support and grow local events and drive a mix of social, cultural and economic benefits to the region Council have endorsed the following recipients as successful applicants of:
Emerging Events Fund
- Dubbo Cycling Club Ladies Day $1,000.00
- NSW Veteran Golfers Association 54 Holes Stableford Championships $1,000.00
Community Events Fund
- Burrendong Easter Fishing Classic $1,000.00
- Michael Egan Memorial Book Fair $1,030.00
- Stuart Town Multicultural Festival $2,000.00
- Herefords Australia National Show and Sale Dubbo $1,000.00
- Wellington Eisteddfod $3,000.00
- Dubbo Sixes Soccer Tournament $3,000.00
MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING (MOU) – DUBBO REGIONAL COUNCIL AND CHARLES STURT UNIVERSITY
Council endorsed the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Council and Charles Sturt University (CSU) to facilitate education, research and business cooperation and to foster a good working relationship between Council and Charles Sturt University (CSU).
REFLECT RECONCILIATION ACTION PLAN
Council have endorsed the Reflect Reconciliation Action Plan (Appendix 1) for submission to the Reflect Reconciliation Australia. Following endorsement by Reconciliation Australia, the Reflect Reconciliation Action Plan is to be placed on public exhibition for 28 days.
UPDATED PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT BETWEEN DUBBO REGIONAL COUNCIL AND DUBBO ABORIGINAL COMMUNITY WORKING PARTY
Council have resolved to sign an updated Partnership Agreement between Council and the Dubbo Aboriginal Community Working Party (DACW). The updated Partnership Agreement details the approach to be taken by both the DACWP and DRC to work in partnership to fulfil the aspirations of the Dubbo community as outlined in the associated report.
RECOMMENDATIONS FOR WIND FARM COMMUNITY BENEFIT FUND 2021/2022 ROUND 7
Council have endorsed the following recipients to receive funding from the Iberdrola Australia Ltd and Bodangora Wind Farm Pty Ltd. Community Benefit Fund.
- Wellington Lions Club $3,550.00
- Binjang Radio $10,000.00
- Wellington Senior Citizens Club $3,646.00
- Comobella Public hall trust $5,170.00
- Wellington Junior Rugby Union club $2,267.00
- Cudgegong Jump Club $6,902.00
- Central West Working Horse $9,341.00
- PCYC Wellington $10,000.00
- Wellington Golf Club $3,272.00
- Wellington District Cricket Association $2,852.00
COMMUNITY SERVICES FUND 2021/2022 – COMMUNITY BENEFIT FUNDING
Council have endorsed the following recipients to receive funding from DRC’s Community Services fund.
- SOMAD – Songwriters and Original Musicians Association of Dubbo $1,197.00
- Western Region Academy of Sport $3,218.00
- Guide Dogs NSW/ACT $3,790.00
- Dubbo and District Pipe Band $2,500.00
- Comobella Hall Trust $8,663.00
- Dubbo & District Parent Support for Deaf/Hearing Impaired Inc $8,500.00
- Lourdes and Community Services $3,500.00
- Dubbo Filmmakers Inc $3,000.00
- U3A Dubbo Chapter Inc $3,000.00
- Walter T Grant memorial seniors social club $7,450.00
