Submission to Inland Rail Environmental Impact Statement
Council endorsed a submission to the Inland Rail Albury to Illabo Environmental Impact Statement.
While continuing to support Inland Rail and the opportunities the nationally significant project has for our community, Council is concerned about omissions in the Albury to Illabo Environmental Impact Statement.
After undertaking a critical review of the Albury to Illabo Environmental Impact Statement, Council has identified several areas where the impacts of construction and operation have not been adequately assessed or addressed. Council’s submission highlights these items and raises concerns, for which Council seeks further assessment.
Based on its review, Council believes the impacts of Inland Rail, mainly operational, have the potential to trigger significant adverse impacts on the community of Wagga Wagga, local businesses and services.
Council believes it is essential to correctly assess and address all impacts of Inland Rail (instantaneous and developing) at this stage of the project, as there is no recourse for additional expenditure once the Inland Rail project has been completed.
Council wishes to eliminate the risk that the city of Wagga Wagga is left with adverse impacts with no avenues for rectification available from any level of government.
MM-1 MAYORAL MINUTE – SUBMISSION TO INLAND RAIL ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT (EIS)
Major events, festivals and films sponsorship
Council agreed to sponsor the following events and festivals through the 2022/23 Major Events and Sponsorship Program:
- Murrumbidgee Turf Club ‘Breakfast with the Stars & Races’ – $6000
- Pinnock Watts Family Trust ‘Fitz Fest Wagga Wagga’– $11,946
- Wagga Mardi Gras Festival 2023 auspiced by Acon Health Limited – $15,500 with conditions
- Wagga City Aero Club ‘Wings Over Wagga Wagga’ – $10,000
Council declined the ‘Flow Festival 2022’ sponsorship application, as the application was not submitted under the appropriate funding stream and contained inconsistent information. Council staff have recommended the applicant reapply in future rounds and seek support through the application process.
RP-1 MAJOR EVENTS, FESTIVALS AND FILMS SPONSORSHIP – ROUND TWO. REPORT 1/5 – MURRUMBIDGEE TURF CLUB, REPORT 2/5 – PINNOCK WATTS FAMILY TRUST, REPORT 3/5 – WAGGA MARDI GRAS FESTIVAL AUSPICED BY ACON HEALTH LIMITED, REPORT 4/5 – WAGGA CITY AERO CLUB, REPORT 5/5 – FLOW FESTIVAL
Budget variations approved
Council approved the proposed 2022/23 budget variations for the month ended 31 August 2022, and the proposed budget variations to the 2022/23 Long Term Financial Plan Capital Works Program, including future year timing adjustments and new projects.
Operating and capital budget variations for 31 August 2022 include:
- Playground shade sail installation – $71,000
- Active Travel Plan Stage 3 – $805,000
- Library Priority Funding – $4000
- State Library Subsidy – $70,000
- Traffic counters – $83,000.
RP-6 FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE REPORT AS AT 31 AUGUST 2022
Council Meeting dates
Council endorsed the schedule of Ordinary Council meetings for 2023.
Council agreed to cancel the 24 October 2022 Ordinary Meeting, noting five councillors will be away attending the LGNSW Conference, and replaced the 10 October 2022 Ordinary Meeting of Council with a meeting on the 17 October 2022.
RP-8 COUNCIL MEETING DATES – 2023
Dunns Road, Olympic Highway and Holbrook Road Intersections
Council agreed to decline all tenders for the RFT2023-05 Dunns Road, Olympic Highway and Holbrook Road Intersections Design and Construct works.
The tenders received were beyond the allocated budget, due to required significant safety changes to Holbrook Road, which were to be funded by Blackspot funding. This funding has not materialised and changes to the design will need to be negotiated to attempt to fit the tender within the allocated budget.
Council will now seek to enter into negotiations to have the design and construction works completed.
CONF-1 RFT2023-05 DUNNS ROAD, OLYMPIC HIGHWAY & HOLBROOK ROAD INTERSECTIONS DESIGN AND CONSTRUCT
Riverside food van
Council agreed to commence a fresh EOI process for the Riverside food van and the exclusive provision of food and beverage services in the Riverside precinct.
CONF-2 RIVERSIDE FOOD VAN EOI – UPDATE
99 Peter Street
Council agreed to decline the Expression of Interest submission received in relation to the premises at 99 Peter Street, Wagga Wagga, and list the premises for lease on the open market.
CONF-3 EXPRESSION OF INTEREST – 99 PETER STREET, WAGGA WAGGA
Lampe Avenue
Council resolved not to proceed with the widening of Lampe Avenue in accordance with the 1941 and 1971 gazettals, and to obtain a survey of Lampe Avenue between Beckwith and Simmons streets to confirm the boundaries of Lampe Avenue and adjoining lots.
CONF-4 LAMPE AVENUE ROAD WIDENING
