Tamworth Regional Council is one of the biggest councils in inland NSW, with a population of over 58,000 and a prosperous economy based on building, retail, industry, hospitality and agriculture. The council area includes more than 1,200 kilometres of sealed regional and local roads; 250 separate parks or pieces of bushland; six libraries; six museums; and six swimming pools.
Working with a regional community that is progressive, innovative and creative, Tamworth Regional Council’s strategies and services are designed to deliver its vision of Tamworth as rural Australia’s most inviting region for residents, investors, workers and visitors.
Tamworth Regional Council operates a number of enterprises and venues, and is the winner of the 2009 A R Bluett Award for excellence in local government.
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Tamworth Regional Council (TRC) was established in March 2004, amalgamating the northern NSW shires of Barraba, Manilla, Nundle and Parry and the city of Tamworth. It is one of the biggest councils in inland NSW, with a population of over 58,000 spread over an area three times as large as the Sydney basin. Tamworth is the regional hub, home to more than 50,000 people. Other population centres include the towns of Manilla, Barraba, Nundle and Kootingal, as well as another 17 hamlets and villages. Tamworth was the first city in the southern hemisphere to introduce electric street lighting, in 1888, and it remains one of NSW’s most vibrant regions, with a flourishing modern economy and a strong sense of community. TRC is the winner of the 2009 A R Bluett Award for excellence in local government and the 2009 state and national Tidy Town awards.
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Council met for the first time on 30 September 2008. TRC comprises nine councillors: Councillors Phil Betts, Paul Durant, Ray Tait, Helen Tickle, James Treloar, Juanita Wilson, Warren Woodley OAM, Deputy Mayor Russell Webb and Mayor Col Murray.
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Members of the public are welcome to attend and Council encourages groups from schools and youth organisations, as well as community groups, to come to meetings to see how local government operates and get involved. The first thirty minutes of Open Council Meetings is available for members of the public to address the Council or submit questions, either verbally or in writing, on matters included in the Business Paper for the Meeting. Public addresses are limited to three minutes.
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Mayor Col Murray and General Manager Paul Bennett are proud of Tamworth Regional Council's leadership in civic and community activities and Council’s achievements and services to the community. A snapshot of those activities and achievements can be gleaned from the media releases, which are available online for the current and previous financial years. Both the Mayor and General Manager provide regular updates to the community through this online gateway.
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Council produces a wide range of publications from policies that set the framework for how Council operates to strategies that set the vision and direction for specific activities and reports that measure Council's achievements against plans and targets. Most of these publications are available online at no cost and can be accessed from this section. There are a small portion of documents and registers that are only available in printed form and you will need to contact Council to make arrangements to access these in person.
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Tamworth Regional Council regularly seeks community feedback in relation to a broad range of issues within the region. This presents all stakeholders with an opportunity to comment on the evolution of the Tamworth Region.
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Tourism is an important aspect of the commerce and culture of the Tamworth region. This is a large and diverse area, with an exciting array of pursuits and attractions on offer to residents of all our communities as well as visitors to the region. Whether you live here or are visiting, there are some useful resources in this section from transport providers to help you get here and travel around the region.
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The Tamworth region is one of the leading areas in regional Australia. Tamworth itself is a modern, progressive city with an easy going lifestyle and a strong economy. It is thriving, with a strong building industry and vibrant retail and hospitality sectors. There is a lot more to the region than just the city and the music festival. This is a great place to live and Council is a great place to work. Tamworth Regional Council can help you to achieve a work/life balance with family friendly policies while providing a range of challenging and rewarding career opportunities. You can pursue a career in anything from gardening to town planning, electrical design to strategic planning. The work you do has a direct impact on your local community and environment, providing services and planning for the future. You can be a part of an organisation that is working hard to address the social health of our regional communities.
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A council must invite tenders as prescribed under the Local Government Act 1993. From 29th September 2006, Tamworth Regional Council has moved to an electronic system for Tendering, Quotations and Expressions of Interest. This has been designed to improve the speed, efficiency and fairness of the tender process for the Council and its Suppliers.
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Tamworth Regional Council is currently undertaking the development of a variety of major infrastructure projects.
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Council's main source of income is from rates levied on rateable land in the council area. Council rates are a local tax levied on the land value, as assessed by the Valuer General. Council is currently using valuations issued by the Valuer General with a base date 1 July 2007. Approximately 29,000 rate notices will be issued in 2009/2010 with a general rate revenue yield of more than $23.7m. Rates are used to provide services, which range from street lighting and road maintenance through to environmental protection and planning.
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Over the last three years council has undertaken a comprehensive investigation of the long term financial needs of providing services and maintaining assets.
This has shown that council’s existing rating level is $4 million short of what is required to provide existing services and maintain existing assets at current condition. This shortfall over the years has created a backlog of $48.8 million of works required to bring assets up to satisfactory condition. Assets will continue to further deteriorate at the rate of at least $4 million per year if this situation is not addressed.
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Council operates a number of enterprises and venues that play a vital role in the community, from promoting the region’s economic development and supplying essential infrastructure to providing childcare and cultural events.
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Council maintains a register of all individual land parcels in Council’s ownership or under its control.
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Under section 355 of the Local Government Act 1993, Council is able to delegate some of its functions to a committee of Council. Council uses this delegation and appoints community people to manage its facilities or functions through a committee of management. Management committees provide an opportunity for local communities to develop ownership of facilities and services and play an active role in the provision of them. Tamworth Regional Council fully acknowledges and appreciates the valuable contribution made by members of the community who serve as a member of the section 355 Community Committees. This is an important role providing a valuable contribution to the respective local communities that we serve. There are presently forty four section 355 Committees.
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There are many reasons for relocating to the Tamworth region. The region offers attractive employment and business opportunities as well as affordable housing. There are a range of educational and training options for families, career and personal development. There are many resources available to new and prospective residents. Council joined forces with Tamworth Regional Development Corporation and Tourism Tamworth to provide a snapshot of the region in the New Residents' brochure.
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Australia has one of the highest rates of pet ownership in the world. Companion animals are an integral part of our community, culture and society. Our compassion for living things is reflected in the way that we treat our animals. Being a pet owner is a serious business and brings responsibilities for the animals, the rest of the community and the environment. Tamworth Regional Council promotes the ownership of pets in a socially and animal welfare responsible manner. To help animals to be identified and returned to their owners, the Companion Animals Act 1998 requires all cats and dogs to be microchipped and registered for life.
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Parking and other traffic arrangements are determined by Council after being reviewed and approved by the Local Traffic Committee. The Local Traffic Committee meets on the second Wednesday of each month. Minutes of these meetings are available from Council. Tamworth CBD has nearly 4000 car parking spaces, with a variety of time restrictions that apply to both paid and free spaces. Council rangers enforce the sign posted parking restrictions, and drivers are encouraged to check the restrictions to ensure that they are legally parked.
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Council is responsible for stormwater drainage assets, including pipes, culverts, kerb and gutters, drainage channels and detention basins. Council regularly inspects and maintains these drainage structures and repairs them as the need arises.
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Council is responsible for a sealed and gravel road network across the region that exceeds 3,000km. The road network includes 326 bridges, of which 19 are subject to load limits. To protect and prolong the life or our roads Council works with a number of bodies including the RTA and the Mid North Weight of Loads Group as well as managing regular maintenance programs. The Local Traffic Committee and Transport Working Group provide advice and guidance to Council and the Road Safety Education Officer works with these groups and community stakeholders on a range of initiatives to raise public awareness and improve the safety of the region's roads.
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Tamworth Regional Council maintains a partnership with a range of government agencies in relation to disaster planning and emergency response. Council has a Local Emergency Management Officer who acts as the liaison between the local emergency services and co-ordinates Council's planning and response to emergencies.
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Tamworth Regional Council acts as the cemetery authority for all legislative requirements regarding the sixteen cemeteries across the region. Council is responsible for all reservations, liaisons with funeral directors, internments, record-keeping and ongoing maintenance of the cemeteries.
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Public health and safety is a matter for all of us. The risks of disease and even death caused by unsanitary conditions, poor hygiene and inadequate maintenance have a direct impact on the business and general community as well as longer term social and financial costs.
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Tamworth Regional Council has a large regional mapping library that includes locality maps, service diagrams and street maps. In 2008, Council added the first ever customised digital imagery of the region with high resolution pictures of the major populated areas that cover about 1,150 of the 9,650 square kilometres of the region.
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Council's Customer Service Officers at any of the Customer Service Centres can help you with enquiries about Council services and facilities. Council welcomes and encourages your feedback. During business hours your phone call or voice message will be transferred to the appropriate officer.
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