Council meeting update - 8 March, 2022

Tuesday 8 March, 2022

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

 Councillors have tonight agreed to go ahead with a planning proposal to improve the way future development occurs in Tamworth’s CBD through introducing design excellence provisions. Work will now progress on a proposed amendment to the Tamworth Regional Local Environmental Plan 2010. The proposed change aims to ensure that any significant new development, or major additions and redevelopment of existing premises in the CBD, will take into account the overall design of the building and incorporate active frontages to the street. Council’s Blueprint 100 plan has emphasised the need to ‘activate’ the CBD and improve urban design, amenity and overall liveability to encourage inner city living and the night time economy. Tamworth Region Mayor, Russell Webb, said the design excellence provisions are ‘a real positive’ for the future of the city and the region “They will mean buildings designed with more active street frontages will be encouraged which is great,” he said. “We want a lively and thriving CBD with active street fronts.” A Council report said three written submissions – two in support and one against - were received by Council during the public exhibition of the planning proposal at the start of 2022. Council also sent 317 letters to every property owner in the CBD, sent an email to its Economic Development Division’s business network, it’s Have Your say webpage was visited 157 times, promoted the proposal through its Facebook page reaching 4,043 people with 90 engagements, issued a media release with the Director Liveable Communities being interviewed, and, an article was published about the proposal in the Tamworth Business Chamber newsletter.

 Councillors discussed actions needed to reduce the risk of future flooding in Tamworth when considering a report about the recently completed East and North Tamworth Drainage Study. The findings of the study will support the development of the Tamworth Floodplain Draining Study which is due to be completed in the coming months. The draft plan and will go on public exhibition to allow community members to share their opinions with Council. The draft plan is expected to include recommendations for community education, mitigation projects and planning controls.

 The General Manager Paul Bennett has tonight been formally authorised by Councillors to travel to London next month as a board member of Statewide Mutual. All travel costs of the delegation will be met by Statewide Mutual which is the leading risk partner for NSW Local Government with membership of 113 councils and provides cover for their major insurable risks. Mr Bennett was elected to the board in 2020 to represent the North West region. Board members will attend meetings with up to 25 different insurance underwriters over a week in London which are part of renewal negotiations. Any international travel for staff in a professional capacity must be formally approved by the Council.

For more information, see the full reports here 

Watch the video report at www.facebook.com/TamworthRegionalCouncil