Council meeting update - 13 February 2024

Tuesday 13 February, 2024

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

 In a series of Mayoral Minutes, Mayor Russell Webb secured the support of his fellow Councillors on three actions which aim to build the region’s resilience:

o Councillors supported the dissolution of the Namoi Joint Organisation, also known as Namoi Unlimited, due to decreasing participation and the governance costs associated with running the organisation in its current form. At the meeting of Namoi Unlimited (Namoi Joint Organisation) held on 23 November 2023, the Board resolved to discontinue its activities as a Joint Organisation effective from 31 December 2023. Tamworth Regional Council tonight agreed to begin the process of writing to the Minister for Local Government to begin the process to put this resolution into effect by 30 June 2024. Participating councils in Tamworth, Gunnedah, Walcha and Liverpool Plains intend to pursue a less formal alliance into the future.

o Councillors agreed to write to the NSW Premier, the NSW Treasurer and the NSW Minister for Local Government seeking action on the increasing financial gap for councils around the state. They made the decision after considering the findings of the “Cost Shifting onto Local Government” report for the 2021/2023 financial year. The report, commissioned by the NSW Office of Local Government, outlines a need to address cost shifting through a combination of regulatory reform, budgetary provision and appropriate funding.

o Councillors accepted an invitation from Business NSW to become a member of the Regional Leaders Program which connects leaders and decision makers in Regional NSW to strengthen the collective voice of business. The Mayoral Minuet said program participants are highly engaged in driving the economic vision of Regional NSW and advocate on issues that impact economic growth and prosperity. The program provides a unique platform and opportunity for Council to engage directly with business and industry in a collaborative environment where the focus is on developing joint solutions to some of our most challenging issues such as housing, temporary worker accommodation, renewable energy, and worker and skill shortages.

 In line with Council’s Blueprint 100 Strategy to support establishment of a high technology agribusiness cluster and develop or host agri-tech events, Councillors endorsed sponsorship of the Start-Up Lane segment at AgSmart Connect 2024. The two-day event will be held at Tamworth Regional Entertainment and Conference Centre in early March 2024. It is expected to attract more than 5,000 attendees in-person and online, helping promote Tamworth as an agriculture hub and an innovative destination among the agri-industry and its investors. Councillors agreed to one-off $10,000 sponsorship to be funded from the Event Reserve. The economic benefit of the event to the region is projected to be just over $1 million.

 Councillors tonight agreed to change the fee structure for green waste disposal at rural waste facilities across the region, resulting in a decrease of up to half the cost. In addition to the reduction of green waste disposal fees for the 2023/24 Financial Year, the fee structure will be streamlined from six classifications of green waste to three and a new minimum charge of $5 for green waste disposal will be established. The lowest had been $10. The new structure removes an inequity between fees for green waste disposal at Tamworth’s Forest Road Waste Facility and at the Rural Waste Facilities at Manilla, Barraba, Bendemeer, Dungowan, Duri, Kootingal, Manilla, Niangala, Nundle and Somerton. The rural sites do not have weighbridges and quantities of green waste for disposal are measured by vehicle size and type. At Tamworth’s facility, loads of green waste are charged by weight and are minimal in comparison to the fixed charges at Rural Waste Facilities. The Council report said the change in fees was expected to reduce monthly income by about $4,500 (excluding GST), however the lower fees were expected to result in an increased presentation of green waste. The new fees will come into effect from 1 March, 2024.

 As part of Council’s ongoing commitment to the region’s youth, Councillors adopted the Tamworth Regional Youth Strategy and Action Plan. The document will help guide how Tamworth Regional Council, local services providers, schools, clubs and government departments can build a region that supports young people. The strategy has been designed around five key focus areas including life ready, wellbeing, access and connectivity, community and identity. Each focus area has its own set of priorities and actions which will guide the delivery of prioritised youth related initiatives. The Strategy and Action Plan has been created through extensive consultation with local youth, key stakeholders and the wider community. More than 500 individual submissions were received during the engagement process and in response to surveys, including during the Stand Tall Event.

 Making sure Tamworth has enough water to meet the needs of its growing community is at the top of Tamworth Regional Council’s priorities and tonight Councillors took another step towards investigating options to ensure water security. They agreed to fund a study trip for a Council staff member to attend the WateReuse Symposium – the pre-eminent world conference about water recycling – in Denver, Colorado in the United States. The symposium strip will also include site visits to places exploring or operating purified recycled water facilities in America. Tamworth Regional Council is one of six organisations the Water Services of Association invited to be represented on the study tour including Sydney Water, Melbourne Water, South Australia Water and Auckland Water, recognising Council at the forefront of innovation.