Council meting update - 8 June 2021

Tuesday 8 June, 2021

Here is an overview of outcomes from tonight’s Ordinary Meeting of Tamworth Regional Council:

 With the aim of progressing the relationship between Tamworth Regional Council and the University of New England, Councillors tonight agreed to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding with the tertiary education provider. The agreement, to be signed by the University’s vice-chancellor Brigid Heywood and Tamworth Region Mayor Col Murray, has been developed to promote ‘’open exchange and cooperation in areas of mutual interest’’. The Memorandum of Understanding is not legally binding but provides a basis for the ongoing development of the partnership between Council and the university as they continue efforts towards a university campus in Tamworth. It includes Council and UNE working jointly on new programs and initiatives to advance UNE’s Future Fit strategy and Council’s Blueprint 100. A report tabled at the meeting said some of the activities agreed to in the memorandum will have financial implications, however these will be reported back to Council where required or included in existing operational budgets.

 Tamworth will again be promoted as a destination to a national television audience with Councillor agreeing to invest $20,000 in sponsorship for the National Rugby League game between West Tigers and Cronulla Sharks to be played in Tamworth later this year. West Entertainment Group will host the match at Scully Park on 21 August. Tamworth Region Mayor Col Murray said the sponsorship has repeatedly proven itself to be a ‘‘worthwhile investment’’ because of the national exposure it provides for Tamworth. “An advertising buy in the metropolitan marker for a standalone campaign would be cost prohibitive,” he said. “In addition to match day television coverage, Tamworth is often highlighted in national media coverage both before and after the local fixture.” The estimated economic impact of the event for the local economy is over $1.8 million. As an event partner, Council will receive a range of promotional signage at the venue to be seen in television coverage and 20 general admission tickets to be used as giveaways.

 Improvements to parking for people with a disability at eight locations in Tamworth’s CBD will CBD will be carried out in the coming year. Councillors tonight endorsed the program of works recommended by the Tamworth Regional Local Traffic Committee. The improvements are in line with the Australian Standard for on street parking which was amended in 2020. The works include the relocation of an existing disability parking aby in Bourke Street to allow an access ramp to be installed, installation of eight new disability parking bays off street carparks and one additional disability parking bay in Peel Street (near Castlereagh Imaging), White Street (near existing disability parking bays near entry to Tamworth Square), Kable Ave (near Tamworth Regional Playground) and Bourke Street (near Dowe Street).

 The National Primary Games is again being hosted in Tamworth by the Northern Inland Academy of Sport in July this year and Councillors tonight decided to support it through its Sports Event Subsidisation Policy. A full waiver of fees associated with hiring venues and preparing playing fields totalling more than $7500 has been approved. A report to Council said the Games are expected to attract more than 5000 athletes aged 8-14 and spectators for events at Tamworth Sports Dome, Gipps Street Playing Fields and the Riverside Sporting Complex. Calculations using sport tourism industry modelling indicates the event will bring an economic benefit of more than $1.6 million to the region. Council will be acknowledged as a major sponsor.

For more information, see the full reports at www.tamworth.nsw.gov.au/business-papers

Watch the video report here