Council Meeting Update - 13 August 2024
Tuesday 13 August, 2024
Council meeting update
Here is an overview of outcomes from tonight’s Ordinary Meeting of Tamworth Regional Council:
➢ After some lengthy discussion, Councillors agreed to move forward with the proposed Tamworth Regional Aquatics Centre and the Northern Inland Centre of Sport and Health, using loan funding for its financial contribution of $30 million for the $45 million project. It will be used with a $15 million NSW Government Centre of Excellence grant already secured. The funding strategy was detailed in a report to tonight’s meeting and is based on repayments being made from two funding streams: $15 million in loan funding repaid through Special Rates Variation revenue earmarked for renewal of Council’s assets; and, $15 million in loan funding repaid though decreased expenditure and increased revenue or “one-off asset sales”. Councillors supported other recommendations of the report to have staff manage the facility in-house for about three years and then reassess and to investigate a “unique entity” for its naming and branding. The report provided an update about the work undertaken to assess the “highly complex factors” to determine the pool configuration and depths of the main body of water in the proposed facility. The report said user group consultation will continue to determine the configuration which best meets the needs of the community while also generating the revenue needed to maintain its long-term financial viability.
➢ Councillors have resolved to agree ‘‘in principle’’ with the terms of the Voluntary Planning Agreement (VPA) offers made by the proponents of the Calala Battery Energy Storage System and Thunderbolt Windfarm. Both of these State Significant Developments have been approved by the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure (DPHI) and the Independent Planning Commission (IPC). If Council does not enter into a VPA, a contribution under Section 7.12 of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 (EPA Act) will be levied. The two VPA offers will provide almost $2 million more funds to the community than the alternative Section 7.12 contribution. Councillors also resolved to authorise the Mayor and General Manager to negotiate the terms of VPAs for other renewable energy projects not yet determined by the Department and/or IPC in circumstances where the offer does not comply with Council’s adopted policy. Once a VPA is drafted, the EPA Act requires it to be publicly exhibited for 28 days before it is finalised.
➢ Tonight, Councillors agreed to adopt a number of Masterplans that support the growth of the region in alignment with Council’s Blueprint 100 strategy. The Tamworth Region Museum and Archive Strategy will support the development of the 10 museum, archives and social history collections in our area.
The Integrated Transport plan developed in collaboration with Transport for NSW roadmaps how the Tamworth region will manage transport demands into the future. Based on community feedback the Hills Plain Walking and Cycling Connection Stage 2 and an Airport Walking and Cycling Connection were two projects added to the plan following the public exhibition period. Also adopted was the Nundle Recreation Ground and Peel River Park masterplan, detailing the vision for these areas to remain significant recreational areas for locals and tourists. Similarly, the Sheba Dams and Hanging Rock Lookout masterplan will guide the future management of these areas to remain key tourism destinations.
➢ After multiple rounds of industry and community consultation dating back to 2020, Councillors tonight adopted the Phase 1 Review of the Tamworth Regional Local Environmental Plan 2010. The plan is used to make clear to landowners what they are allowed to do in terms of planning and development in the region and covers rural, commercial and residential properties. The amendments to the plan as part of the Phase 1 Review include but are not limited to; the review of land use permissibility within existing zones, such as secondary dwellings; heritage items; heritage conservation areas, updated development standards in
the Bridge Street precinct and several changes identified by community expressions of
interest.
➢ Councillors have tonight endorsed Council’s in-kind support for the development, implementation and promotion of the New England Sculpture Track (NEST) project, after it was proposed at the most recent Tamworth Region Arts Advisory Committee (TRAAC) ordinary meeting. The NEST project has secured loan sculptures from national and international artists that will form a public art trail in Bendemeer. It is hoped the project will establish a long-term cultural link between Bendemeer, Walcha and beyond and the financial benefits to the region will be substantial as the NSW Visitor Economy and Tourism would continue to rise. To date, the NEST project has raised over $50,000 from the community through the Bendemeer Art Show committee and private donations, along with a $15,000 contribution from TRAAC’s existing budget allocation.
➢ Councillors have tonight supported a Notice of Motion from Councillor Brooke Southwell to assess, plan for and install shade structures over swing sets across the Tamworth Region. Councillors agreed to investigate grant funding options in an effort to improve sun safety, noting the importance of shade for overall public health outcomes and increasing the usability of recreational spaces.
➢ Councillors have endorsed a recommendation to continue the Waste Wagon service for a further year. This service, which began as a trial in November 2022, offers a book-in, fee for- service collection of bulky household waste. Over the past year, the service has successfully completed 184 collections, with 90.7% of these from Tamworth and 9.2% from rural areas such as Nundle, Manilla, and Bendemeer. While Councillors agreed to continue the service for a further year it was also requested that a further report on the cost and viability of the service be provided towards the end of the 2024-25 financial year.