Council Meeting Update - 23 April 2024

Tuesday 23 April, 2024

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

• Councillors have supported the recommendation that a proposed childcare facility on Calala Lane should be granted Development Consent, subject to a range of conditions. The scope of works includes the demolition of existing buildings and construction of the new facility. The application was referred to Council for determination due to concerns raised by community members about an expected increase in traffic on Calala Lane. A right-hand turn lane and a left turn only exit have been included in the design with the aim of reducing some of those concerns. The proposed facility will consist of six separate playrooms which will accommodate 120 children, along with an outdoor play area, off-street parking, administration and service sections and will go towards addressing the need for more childcare options in the region.
• After a recent Expression of Interest process, Councillors have endorsed the re-appointment of James Treloar as Tamworth Regional Council’s permanent expert member on the as Northern Regional Planning Panel. They also agreed to endorse Glenn Inglis as a second permanent member, due to his wide range of expertise in town planning, land economics, law and local government administration. Colin Murray and Warwick Stimson were both appointed as alternate members due to their experience in local government and town planning respectively. All four will remain in those positions for three years. The key role of a Regional Planning Panel is to determine regionally significant development applications and undertake rezoning reviews. Councillors also agreed to notify the Planning Panels Secretariat of the appointments and to formally thank all community members involved in the Expression of Interest process.
• Four community committees will share just over $25,000 in grants under Council’s 2023-2024 Facility Improvement Fund Program after Councillors endorsed the allocations. Barraba Showground Committee will receive $9,000 to replace the showground stables while Kootingal Recreational Reserve Committee will get $6,109 for refurbishments to amenities at the oval, $10,000 will go to Piallamore Recreation Reserve Committee for stage two of the memorial garden and Tamworth Regional Film and Sound Archive Committee will receive $748 towards upgrading their archive efficiency.
• A report to the meeting affirmed Council will continue to work with NSW Government agencies towards a Council-owned Water Purification Facility which would accept existing wastewater from local beef and lamb abattoirs. The report follows Baiada’s confirmation they would build their own facility. The report also said Council continues work on the preparation of a Long Term Water Security Plan, which is investigating all options available to improve our water security, including recycled water for industrial uses as an important, climate independent source of water.
• Council adopted the final report and research documents of the Namoi Workforce Attraction and Retention Strategy which aims to address and improve the worker shortage in the region. A report to Council said while the implementation of the strategy is yet to be funded, migrants are identified as a key target group. It said there is work to be done to ensure they have a welcoming experience to increase the likelihood they will stay in the region.
• The Tamworth Gymnastics Club will be hosting the Country Capital Cup in June and Council have agreed to subsidise the fees associated with the hire costs of using the Tamworth Regional Entertainment and Conference Centre. With the event expected to involve more than 1600 competitors and result in a projected economic boost of over $2 million, a subsidisation of $10,458 will be granted to help cover the $20,894 of hire fees under Council’s Sport Event Subsidisation Policy.