Minutes Ordinary Council Meeting
Alby Schultz Meeting Centre, Cootamundra
6:00PM, Tuesday 25th June, 2024
Administration Centres: 1300 459 689 |
25 June 2024 |
MINUTES OF Cootamundra-Gundagai Regional Council
Ordinary Council
Meeting
HELD AT THE Alby
Schultz Meeting Centre, Cootamundra
ON Tuesday, 25 June
2024 AT 6:00PM
PRESENT: Cr Charlie Sheahan (Mayor), Cr Gil Kelly (Deputy Mayor), Cr Leigh Bowden, Cr Les Boyd, Cr Logan Collins, Cr Trevor Glover, Cr David Graham, Cr Abb McAlister, Cr Penny Nicholson
IN ATTENDANCE: Steve McGrath (Interim General Manager), Matt Stubbs (Deputy General Manager - Operations), Paul Woods (Interim Deputy General Manager - CCD), Linda Wiles (Manager Business), Zac Mahon (Manager Finance), Wayne Bennett (Manager Regional Services Cootamundra), Michael Mason (Interim Manager Sustainable Development), Thomas Hogg (Acting Manager Engineering Gundagai), Greg Ewings (Acting Manager Regional Services Gundagai), Gary Arthur (Acting Manager Engineering Cootamundra)
The Chairperson acknowledged the Wiradjuri people who are the Traditional Custodians of the Land at which the meeting was held and paid his respects to Elders, both past and present, of the Wiradjuri Nation and extended that respect to other Aboriginal people who were present.
Nil
3 Apologies and Leave of Absence
Nil
3.2 Leave of Absence
Nil
Nil
5.1 Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting of Council held on Tuesday 28 May 2024 |
Resolution 133/2024 Moved: Cr Les Boyd Seconded: Cr Logan Collins The Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting of Council held on Tuesday 28 May 2024 be confirmed as a true and correct record of the meeting. |
Resolution 134/2024 Moved: Cr Charlie Sheahan Seconded: Cr David Graham The information in the Councillor Engagements Mayoral Minute be received and noted. |
Nil
Resolution 135/2024 Moved: Cr Leigh Bowden Seconded: Cr Penny Nicholson 1. That Council consider the late report regarding the “14 September 2024 Elections” in terms of clause 9.3 of Council’s Code of Meeting Practice. 2. The Mayor/Chairperson ruled that the consideration of the late report “14 September 2024 Elections” is urgent as a decision is required before the next Ordinary meeting of Council. |
Mayor/Chairperson announced that the late item will be considered first.
Resolution 136/2024 Moved: Cr David Graham Seconded: Cr Trevor Glover That Council: 1. Note that in the absence of alternate direction from the NSW Minister for Local Government, an election for nine (9) councillors for Cootamundra-Gundagai Regional Council will be required to be held on 14 September 2024; 2. Note that exceptional circumstances exist for Cootamundra-Gundagai Regional Council and the conduct of elections in September 2024, as a result of the then Minister for Local Government’s approval of a demerger in August 2022 and the subsequent further demerger pathway established by the new Minister for Local Government in October 2023; 3. Resolve in accordance with s296(5) of the Local Government Act 1993, that Cootamundra-Gundagai Regional Council enter an election arrangement with the NSW Electoral Commission and contract the NSW Electoral Commission to conduct the election for Cootamundra-Gundagai Regional Council on 14 September 2024.
|
Moved: Cr Gil Kelly Seconded: Cr Logan Collins 1. The Councillors annual fee effective 1st July, 2024 remain at $13,030. 2. The Mayors annual fee effective 1st July, 2024 remain at $28,430. 3. Consistent with resolution 173/2022 Council continues to support superannuation contribution payments for Councillors, subject to individual Councillors nominating an eligible superannuation account, thus enabling superannuation payments to commence. |
AMENDMENT Moved: Cr Charlie Sheahan Seconded: Cr Leigh Bowden 1. The Councillors annual fee effective 1st July, 2024 be $18,340. 2. The Mayors annual fee effective 1st July, 2024 be $39,350. 3. Consistent with resolution 173/2022 Council continues to support superannuation contribution payments for Councillors, subject to individual Councillors nominating an eligible superannuation account, thus enabling superannuation payments to commence. The Amendment on being put to the meeting was lost |
The motion on being put to the meeting was carried Resolution 137/2024 Moved: Cr Gil Kelly Seconded: Cr Logan Collins 1. The Councillors annual fee effective 1st July, 2024 remain at $13,030. 2. The Mayors annual fee effective 1st July, 2024 remain at $28,430. 3. Consistent with resolution 173/2022 Council continues to support superannuation contribution payments for Councillors, subject to individual Councillors nominating an eligible superannuation account, thus enabling superannuation payments to commence. |
Resolution 138/2024 Moved: Cr Gil Kelly Seconded: Cr Penny Nicholson 1. The attendance of the Mayor, Deputy Mayor and Interim General Manager at the 2024 Local Government NSW Conference, be endorsed. 2. The Mayor and Deputy Mayor be nominated as voting delegates for the 2024 Conference. 3. LGNSW be advised of the voting delegates before 5pm Wednesday, 6 November 2024. 4. Council determine Motions for submission to LGNSW at a Councillor Workshop. 5. Motions determined from 4. above, be submitted to LGNSW by Thursday 15 August 2024 (preferred) or by Sunday 20 October 2024 (at the latest), following a further report to council. |
8.1.3 Energy and Innovation Conference 28 & 29 August 2024 |
Resolution 139/2024 Moved: Cr Abb McAlister Seconded: Cr Trevor Glover The attendance of Cr Glover and one (1) appropriate staff member, at the 2024 REROC Energy and Innovation Conference, be endorsed. |
Resolution 140/2024 Moved: Cr Leigh Bowden Seconded: Cr Trevor Glover The 2024 Rural and Regional Summit and Country Mayors Association meeting summary report, be received and noted. |
Resolution 141/2024 Moved: Cr David Graham Seconded: Cr Abb McAlister The Minutes of the Country Mayors Association Meetings held on 10 May 2024, attached to the report, be received and noted. |
8.2.1 Final Operational Plan and Associated Documents 2024/2025 |
Resolution 142/2024 Moved: Cr Trevor Glover Seconded: Cr Penny Nicholson 1. Any submissions received in response to the public exhibition of the draft 2024/2025 Operational Plan (incorporating Revenue Policy, Fees & Charges and budget) be considered. 2. The draft Cootamundra-Gundagai Regional Council 2024/2025 Operational Plan, (inclusive of the Revenue Policy, Fees & Charges and budget) be adopted by Council. 3. The amended 2024/25 draft Fees and Charges (Part 5 of the Operational Plan), attached to the report, be adopted. 4. Council note that on receipt of the final decision by the Minister for Local Government, following the Local Government Boundaries Commission review, in regard to the demerger proposal, that either Cootamundra-Gundagai Regional Council, or the two new Councils as the case may be, will need to undertake reviews of the services provided by the council/s and the revenue available for operations, with a view to achieving a balanced or surplus operating result for the council/s over the medium to longer term. |
Resolution 143/2024 Moved: Cr Gil Kelly Seconded: Cr Abb McAlister 1. The Annual Community Donations budget be increased annually in line with the consumer price index. 2. Council approve community donations for the following applicants totalling $40,200.00
|
Resolution 144/2024 Moved: Cr Leigh Bowden Seconded: Cr Gil Kelly 1. Information and funding from Open Streets Program be noted. 2. Council invite local community groups in both Cootamundra and Gundagai to submit Expression of Interest (EOI) to manage individual events. |
8.2.4 Appointment of Independent Chair and Member to Audit, Risk and Improvement Committee |
Resolution 145/2024 Moved: Cr Leigh Bowden Seconded: Cr David Graham 1. Council accepts the application of Mr Nick Tobin to the position of ARIC Independent Chair for the period of 1 July 2024 to 30 June 2028. 2. Council accepts the application of Mr Stephen Dunshea to the position of Independent ARIC Member for the period of 1 July 2024 to 30 June 2028. 3. Council accepts the application of Mr Chris Weber to the position of Independent ARIC Member for the period of 1 July 2024 to 30 June 2028. 4. That Council determines that Councillor Graham be appointed as the non-voting observer to the ARIC. |
8.2.5 Cootamundra Showground Users s.355 Committee Meeting Minutes |
Resolution 146/2024 Moved: Cr Gil Kelly Seconded: Cr Leigh Bowden The Minutes of the Cootamundra Showground User s.355 Committee Ordinary Meeting held on 17 April 2024 attached to the report, be received and noted. |
8.2.6 Muttama Creek Regeneration Group s.355 Committee Meeting Minutes |
Resolution 147/2024 Moved: Cr Leigh Bowden Seconded: Cr Les Boyd The Minutes of the Muttama Creek Regeneration Group s.355 Committee meeting held 1 April 2024, attached to the report be, received and noted. |
8.2.7 Cootamundra Heritage Centre Management s.355 Committee Meeting Minutes |
Resolution 148/2024 Moved: Cr Les Boyd Seconded: Cr Abb McAlister The Minutes of the Cootamundra Heritage Centre Management s.355 Committee Meeting held 2 June 2024, attached to the report, be received and noted. |
Resolution 149/2024 Moved: Cr Leigh Bowden Seconded: Cr David Graham 1. ORDINARY RATES In accordance with the provisions of Section 535 of the Local Government Act 1993 Cootamundra Gundagai Regional Council hereby resolves to make the following rates for the 2024/25 rating year: a) Farmland Category Rate of 0.134184 cents in the dollar, with a base amount of $437.67 per assessment, for all rateable land within the Farmland Category in Council’s area, as defined in Section 515 of the Local Government Act 1993, based upon the land value at a base valuation date of 1 July 2022. The base amount for the Farmland Category is estimated to realise 10.38% of the total yield in this category. b) Residential Category Rate of 0.399976 cents in the dollar, with a base amount of $437.67 per assessment, for all rateable land within the Residential Category in Council’s area, as defined in Section 516 of the Local Government Act 1993, based upon the land value at a base valuation date of 1 July 2022. The base amount for the Residential Category is estimated to realise 44.87% of the total yield of this category. c) Business Category Rate of 1.200139 cents in the dollar, with a base amount of $437.67 per assessment, for all rateable land within the Business Category in Council’s area, as defined in Section 518 of the Local Government Act 1993, based upon the land value at a base valuation date of 1 July 2022. The base amount for the Business Category is estimated to realise 18.84% of the total yield of this category. d) Mining Rate of 0.300854 cents in the dollar, with a base amount of $437.67 per assessment, for all rateable land within the Mining Category in Council’s area, as defined in Section 517 of the Local Government Act 1993, based upon the land value at a base valuation date of 1 July 2022. 2. WASTE MANAGEMENT CHARGES In accordance with the provisions of Sections 535, 496 and 501 of the Local Government Act 1993 Council hereby resolves to make the following domestic waste management and waste management charges for the 2024/25 rating year: a) Domestic Waste Management Charge of $546.00 per annual service for each parcel of rateable residential land within the Gundagai, Cootamundra, Stockinbingal & Wallendbeen Scavenging Areas for which the service is available, excluding vacant and unoccupied land. The levying of such charge is to entitle the ratepayer to a regular weekly service of one 120 litre bin for domestic rubbish and a fortnightly service of one 240 litre bin for recyclable domestic rubbish. b) Green Waste/Organics Charge of $71.00 per annual service for each parcel of rateable residential land within the Gundagai, Cootamundra, Stockinbingal & Wallendbeen Scavenging Areas for which the service is available, excluding vacant and unoccupied land. The levying of such charge is to entitle the ratepayer to a regular fortnightly service of one 240 litre bin for green domestic waste. c) Residential Waste Management – Other Charge of $546.00 per annual service for each assessment of residential land outside of the Gundagai, Cootamundra, Stockinbingal & Wallendbeen Scavenging Areas, for which the service is available and required. The levying of such charge is to entitle the ratepayer to a regular weekly service of one 140 litre bin for domestic rubbish, a fortnightly service of one 240 litre bin for recyclable domestic rubbish. (Ratepayers for whom this service is requested and available, may also elect to be provided with a Green Waste/Organics service subject to the charge as noted in d) below.) d) Green Waste/Organics Charge – Other Charge of $71.00 per annual service for each assessment of residential land outside of the Gundagai, Cootamundra, Stockinbingal & Wallendbeen Scavenging Areas, for which the service is available and required. The levying of such charge is to entitle the ratepayer to a regular fortnightly service of one 240 litre bin for domestic green waste e) Rural Waste Charge of $81.00 on each parcel of rateable land outside the Gundagai, Cootamundra, Stockinbingal & Wallendbeen Scavenging areas, and for which there is no service being provided as noted in c) above. f) Commercial Waste Management Charge of $546.00 per service for the removal of waste (one 240 litre general waste pickup per week and one 240 litre recyclable waste pickup per fortnight) from Non-Residential properties for which the service is requested and available. Multiple services will be charged for multiple bins and/or collections per week. g) Unoccupied (Vacant Land) Waste Charge of $81.00 on each parcel of rateable land within the Gundagai, Cootamundra, Stockinbingal & Wallendbeen Scavenging areas for which a domestic waste management service is available, but the land is vacant and unoccupied. 3. STORMWATER MANAGEMENT SERVICE CHARGE In accordance with the provisions of Section 535, 496A and 510A of the Local Government Act 1993, Cootamundra Gundagai Regional Council hereby resolves to make the following annual stormwater management service charges, in respect of occupied rateable land within the urban area of Cootamundra, excepting Council owned or controlled parks, land and buildings, or other land exempt as per Section 496A(2) of the Local Government Act 1993, for the 2024/25 rating year: a) Residential Stormwater Management Charge of $25.00 per annum per residential assessment of occupied rateable land within the townships of Gundagai & Cootamundra, excepting Council owned or controlled parks, lands and buildings, or other land exempt as per Section 496A(2) of the Local Government Act 1993, and excluding land that is part of a residential strata allotment. b) Residential Strata Stormwater Management Charge of $12.50 per annum per residential Strata assessment within the townships of Gundagai & Cootamundra, excepting Council owned or controlled parks, lands and buildings, or other land exempt as per Section 496A(2) of the Local Government Act 1993. c) Business (Non-Residential) Stormwater Management Charge of $25.00 for each 350 square meters of area of land or part thereof of land categorised as business, subject to a minimum of $25.00 per annum per assessment and a maximum charge of $250.00 per annum per assessment within the townships of Gundagai & Cootamundra, excepting Council owned or controlled parks, lands and buildings, or other land exempt as per Section 496A(2) of the Local Government Act 1993. c) Business (Non-Residential) Stormwater Management Charge being the greater of $5.00, or the assessment’s proportion of the charge that would apply if the total land area was not strata’d, per annum per business strata assessment within the townships of Gundagai & Cootamundra, excepting Council owned or controlled parks, lands and buildings, or other land exempt as per Section 496A(2) of the Local Government Act 1993. 4. ON-SITE SEWERAGE MANAGEMENT ADMINISTRATION CHARGE In accordance with the provisions of Sections 535 and 501 of the Local Government Act 1993 Council hereby resolves to make the following domestic waste management and waste management charges for the 2024/25 rating year: On-Site Sewerage Management Administration Charge of $53.00 per annum for properties for which on-site sewerage services are available and connected. 5. WATER CONSUMPTION CHARGES In accordance with the provisions of Section 535 and 502 of the Local Government Act 1993, Cootamundra Gundagai Regional Council hereby resolves to make the following water consumption charges for the 2024/25 rating year: a) Water Usage Charge of $2.35 per kilolitre for usage up to and including 39 kilolitres per quarter, and thereafter $3.53 per kilolitre for water usage exceeding 39 kilolitres per quarter, for all land connected to the water supply, excepting that land as identified as subject to the charges in 5.b) below. b) Non-Residential Community Water Usage Charge of $1.86 per kilolitre for usage up to and including 39 kilolitres per quarter, and thereafter $2.68 per kilolitre for usage exceeding 39 kilolitres per quarter, for land to which the water supply is available and connected and whereby Council has by resolution identified the assessment as being subject to Non-Residential Community Water Usage charges. 6. NON-RESIDENTIAL SEWER USAGE CHARGES In accordance with the provisions of Section 535 and 502 of the Local Government Act 1993, Cootamundra Gundagai Regional Council hereby resolves to make the following non-residential sewer usage charges for the 2024/25 rating year: Non-Residential Sewer Usage Charge of $3.13 per kilolitre of the volume of sewerage discharged. The volume of sewerage discharged shall be calculated by multiplying the volume of water measured at the water meter(s) connected to the property, based on actual usage per kilolitre, by the sewerage discharge factors (SDF) for the predominant use of the land as follows:
7. WATER ACCESS CHARGES The annual water access charges as identified below are charged quarterly in arrears. In accordance with the provisions of Section 535 and 501 of the Local Government Act 1993, Cootamundra Gundagai Regional Council hereby resolves to make the following annual water access charges for the 2024/25 rating year: a) Residential Water Access Charge on residential land to which the water supply is available and connected, excluding land that is part of a residential strata allotment, in accordance with the number and size of water service meters connected to the land as follows;
b) Residential Strata Water Access Charge of $470.00 per annum per residential Strata assessment for which the water supply is available and connected. c) Non-Residential Water Access Charge in respect of non-residential land to which the water supply is available and connected, excluding land that is part of a strata allotment and that land that is identified as liable for charges outlined in 7.e) below, in accordance with the number and size of water service meters connected to the parcel as follows (excluding fire service meters);
d) Non-Residential Strata Water Access Charge of $470.00 per annum per non-residential Strata assessment for which the water supply is available and connected. e) Non-Residential Community Water Access Charge in respect of non-residential land to which the water supply is available and connected, and whereby Council has by resolution identified the assessment as being subject to Non-Residential Community Water Access charges, in accordance with the number and size of water service meters connected to the parcel as follows (excluding fire service meters):
8. VACANT WATER ACCESS CHARGES In accordance with the provisions of Section 535 and 501 of the Local Government Act 1993, Cootamundra Gundagai Regional Council hereby resolves to make the following annual vacant water access charges for the 2024/25 rating year: a) Vacant Residential Water Access Charge of $470.00 per annum per residential assessment to which the water supply is available but not connected. b) Vacant Non-Residential Water Access Charge of $470.00 per annum per non-residential assessment to which the water supply is available but not connected. c) Vacant Non-Residential Community Water Access Charge of $235.00 per annum per non-residential assessment whereby Council has by resolution identified the assessment as being subject to the Vacant Non-Residential Community Water Access Charge. 9. SEWER ACCESS CHARGES The annual sewer access charges as identified below are charged quarterly in arrears. In accordance with the provisions of Section 535 and 501 of the Local Government Act 1993, Cootamundra Gundagai Regional Council hereby resolves to make the following annual sewer access charges for the 2024/25 rating year: a) Residential Sewer Access Charge of $707.00 per annum per residence to which sewerage services are available and connected. b) Non-Residential Sewer Access Charge in respect of non-residential land to which sewerage services are available and connected, excepting land identified as liable for the charges as outlined in 9.c) below, in accordance with the number and size of the water service meters connected to the land as follows (excluding fire service meters);
c) Non-Residential Community Sewer Access Charge in respect of non-residential land to which sewerage services are available and connected, and whereby Council has by resolution identified the assessment as being subject to Non-Residential Community Sewer Access charges, in accordance with the number and size of water service meters connected to the land as follows (excluding fire service meters):
10. VACANT SEWER ACCESS CHARGES In accordance with the provisions of Section 535 and 501 of the Local Government Act 1993, Cootamundra Gundagai Regional Council hereby resolves to make the following annual vacant sewer access charges for the 2024/25 rating year: a) Vacant Residential Sewer Access Charge of $413.00 per annum per residential assessment to which the water supply is available but not connected. b) Vacant Non-Residential Sewer Access Charge of $413.00 per annum per non-residential assessment to which the water supply is available but not connected. c) Vacant Non-Residential Community Sewer Access Charge of $206.00 per annum per non-residential assessment to which sewerage services are available but not connected, and whereby Council has by resolution identified the assessment as being subject to Vacant Non-Residential Community Access Charges. 11. LIQUID TRADE WASTE CHARGES The annual trade waste charges as identified below are charged bi-annual in arrears. In accordance with the provisions of Section 535 and 502 of the Local Government Act 1993, Council hereby resolves to make the following trade waste charges for the 2024/25 rating year: a) Trade Waste Annual Fee on non-residential land connected to the sewerage service of $250.00 where liquid trade waste is discharged. b) Trade Waste Usage Charge on (Category 2) non-residential land connected to the sewerage service of $4.33 per kilolitre of the estimated volume of liquid trade waste discharged to the sewerage system with prescribed pre-treatment. The volume of liquid trade waste discharged shall be calculated by multiplying the volume of water measured at the water meter(s) connected to the property, based on actual usage per kilolitre, by the trade waste discharge factors (TWDF) for the predominant use of the property as follows:
12. INTEREST ON OVERDUE RATES & CHARGES Interest on overdue rates and charges for the 2024/25 rating year has been set by Council at the maximum rate of interest payable as determined by the Minister of Local Government of 10.5% per annum, calculated daily, in accordance with Section 566 of the Local Government Act 1993. 13. COMMUNITY BASED NOT FOR PROFIT ORGANISATIONS Cootamundra-Gundagai Regional Council hereby resolves to make the assessments shown below as being those assessments to which Non-Residential Community Water Access Charges, Non-Residential Community Sewer Access Charges, Non-Residential Community Water Usage Charges, and Community Use Sewerage and Trade Waste Discharge Factors shall apply as follows:
|
Resolution 150/2024 Moved: Cr Logan Collins Seconded: Cr Les Boyd The Finance Update report, be received and noted. |
Resolution 151/2024 Moved: Cr Abb McAlister Seconded: Cr Les Boyd 1. Receive and note the Restricted Cash Reconciliation report; and 2. Approve the potential de-restriction of up to $1,500,000 from the plant replacement fund prior to 30 June 2024, with the restriction of up to $1,500,000 to the plant replacement fund to be reinstated by 31 July 2024. |
Resolution 152/2024 Moved: Cr Leigh Bowden Seconded: Cr David Graham The report detailing Council Cash and Investments as at 31st May 2024, be received and noted. |
Nil
Resolution 153/2024 Moved: Cr Gil Kelly Seconded: Cr Logan Collins The Cootamundra Engineering Report for the month of June 2024 be noted. |
Resolution 154/2024 Moved: Cr David Graham Seconded: Cr Logan Collins The Gundagai Engineering Report for the month of June 2024 be noted. |
8.7 Regional Services Gundagai
Resolution 155/2024 Moved: Cr Leigh Bowden Seconded: Cr Abb McAlister 1. The introduction of the NSW Cemeteries and Crematoria Levy on July 1, 2024, be noted. 2. The CCNSW levy amounts be included in Councils 2024/2025 Fee & Charges. |
Resolution 156/2024 Moved: Cr Logan Collins Seconded: Cr David Graham That Council’s successful 2023/2024 Weed Action Plan application and Funding be noted. |
8.7.3 Draft Biosecurity Weeds Compliance and Enforcement Policy |
Resolution 157/2024 Moved: Cr Abb McAlister Seconded: Cr Gil Kelly The Draft Biosecurity Weeds Compliance and Enforcement Policy, attached to the report, be adopted. |
Resolution 158/2024 Moved: Cr David Graham Seconded: Cr Penny Nicholson The Gundagai Regional Services Department, Monthly works report be received and noted. |
8.8 Regional Services Cootamundra
8.8.1 Regional Services - Cootamundra Divisional Monthly Report to Council |
Resolution 159/2024 Moved: Cr Leigh Bowden Seconded: Cr Les Boyd The Regional Services Cootamundra Department Monthly Works Report be received and noted. |
9 Motion of which Notice has been Given
Nil
Nil
The Meeting closed at 7:31pm.
The minutes of this meeting were confirmed at the Ordinary Council Meeting held on 23 July 2024.
CHAIRPERSON |
GENERAL MANAGER |