Council Meeting Update - 12 September 2023

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

• Councillor Russell Webb has been returned unopposed as Tamworth Regional Mayor while Cr Judy Coates was elected the new Tamworth Region Deputy Mayor through a written ballot process.
• Councillors have agreed to undertake extensive community engagement about a proposed application to the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal for a permanent Special Rate Variation of 36.3% over two years starting next year. The proposal comprises a variation of 18.5% from July 1, 2024 (including the forecast rate peg of 3.5%) and 15% cent from July 1, 2025 (including the forecast rate peg of 2.5%). A report considered by Councillors detailed the financial challenges ahead and how $7.9 million in annual savings and $3.2 million in one-off savings have been found as part of cost savings and efficiencies. However, the report said an increase to rate income above the rate peg is an option which must be looked at if Council is to deliver the services and projects the local community has told us they want and need. Over the next six weeks, a wide-ranging engagement plan will be activated to inform the local community about the need for Special Rate Variation. It will include advertising in newspapers, radio, television and social media, face-to-face meetings, webinars, a community newsletter and detailed information on Council’s website.
• Councillors refused consent for a development application for a centre-based child care facility in Gorman Street North Tamworth.
• A barrier to patrons drinking alcohol without eating a meal in the Tamworth CBD has been cleared with Councillors adopting a revised Footpath Dining Policy. A report to last night’s meeting said 20 supportive written submissions were received during the recent public exhibition of the revised policy. The report said a new condition has been added to the policy requiring awnings on public footpaths for restaurant and outdoor seating to be certified by a structural engineer in the interest of public safety.
• Councillors have supported a Mayoral Minute which aims to give a consistent and transparent approach to Voluntary Planning Agreements aligned with proposed renewable energy projects in the Tamworth Regional Local Government Area. Tamworth Region Mayor Russell Webb wrote in his minute that the number of renewable energy proposals is “significant and increasing” but to date they have been dealt with on a case-by-case basis and there has been “some inconsistent outcomes in terms of impact and potential community benefit across the region”. Councillors supported the Mayor’s proposed policy which recommended all renewable energy projects the proponents enter into a Voluntary Planning Agreement with a lump sum of 1.5% of capital value (adjusted annually for CPI). Half the amount is to be paid to Council when construction starts with the remainder to be paid on an annual basis for the life of the development. The payment will be additional to any agreed community benefit sharing arrangement such as a community enhancement fund. The policy includes Council’s preference that any community enhancement fund will be administered by a philanthropic community benefit fund provider rather than Council, with Council holding a role as member. In July, Council became a member of the Coalition of Regional Energy Mayors which was formed in response to the establishment of Renewable Energy Zones and across NSW and concerns there has been a lack of engagement and consultation in impacted local government areas.
• A commercial tenant will be sought for the Council-owned property at 2/218 Peel Street, Tamworth for a market rental lease. A report about the status of the premises and its proposed options for future use were prepared following a Council resolution last month. Councillors resolved to have a report prepared about the financial impact to Council should one or more of the buildings be transferred to the Tamworth PowerStation Museum. The museum occupies the neighbouring Council-owned premises at 216 Peel Street and one of the sheds at the rear of 218 Peel Street. The report explained that if the premises were transferred to the museum Council will forego the potential rental income. The report also detailed how Council has secured a $241,000 Creative Capital NSW grant to extend the Tamworth PowerStation Museum engine shed. The extension will create a workspace for volunteers and Council staff to undertake collection care and digitisation of the museum’s collection. A further $50,000 in Council funds has been allocated for costs associated with project management of the extension. An Expression of Interest to lease 2/218 Peel Street is open until the end of October 2023.
  
  For more information, see the full reports at www.tamworth.nsw.gov.au/businesspapers