Lighting upgrade to target crime areas
Council has supported a lighting upgrade across the Wagga Local Government Area which includes better lighting at identified crime areas, with a focus on graffiti hotspots.
The upgrade will also include changes in lighting levels at future growth and development areas, such as the Health and Knowledge Precinct, Active Travel Plan corridors and collector roads.
Essential Energy is undertaking an upgrade of the Street Lighting network to LED (Light-emitting diode) and has approached Council with an offer for Council to contribute to the cost of the upgrade, as well as giving Council the opportunity to adjust the lighting levels of any areas it may identify.
A report to Council said switching the street lighting network to newer LED technology will provide both Council and the community with several benefits, including: improved reliability and quality, energy savings and reduced greenhouse gas emissions.
The Wagga Local Government Area currently has more than 7,202 street lights, with 222 suspension lighting and 40 street lightings already LED.
This leaves approximately 6,940 street lights to be upgraded to LED as part of this project. Due to the non-standard nature of suspension lighting throughout the LGA, these assets will be excluded from replacement at this time.
RP-10 UPGRADES TO STREET LIGHTING NETWORK
Preparing for emergencies
Council will receive a report outlining the readiness of the Wagga community, as a regional centre, to respond to emergency situations and to work in conjunction with various agencies.
A notice of motion put to Council noted the impact of the bushfires affecting many local communities in the region and the role Council had in providing assistance with staff, plant, facilities and services.
It called for the report to consider the city and surround's readiness for emergency response in conjunction with, but not limited to, community members, combat agencies, Emergency Operations Centres, the recovery committee and other government reviews.
The report will go to Council no earlier than August 2020.NOM-1 COMMUNITY AND COUNCIL RESPONSE TO EXTREME WEATHER EVENTS
Sub-division application refused
An application for a 2-lot sub-division of land at Cartwrights Hill has been refused by Council.
The application was reported to Council on 16 December 2019 with a recommendation for refusal. A motion to refuse the application and refund 100 per cent of the applicable development application fees was lost and the application was therefore not determined.
Council has refused the application on various grounds including its proximity to Bomen Industrial Area and the Special Activation Precinct.
Council will refund 100 per cent of the applicable development application fee.
RP-1 DA19/0412 - 2 LOT SUBDIVISION, 411 HAMPDEN AVENUE, CARTWRIGHTS HILL, NSW
Support for projects and initiatives
The following budget variations for a number of projects and initiatives were supported by Council:
- Pre-election program
Local Government Elections will be held in NSW on Saturday 12 September 2020. Council is preparing a pre-election program, including promotion and delivery of up to three seminars, for those considering nominating for a position as a Councillor. Council will commit $8000 to the program.
- Work Health and Safety programs
StateCover has notified Council it will receive $108,000 for a Mutual Performance Rebate and an additional $25,000 above budget for the Work Health and Safety Incentive.
It is proposed to allocate the funds to the Workers Compensation Reserve, to be utilised for future Work Health and Safety Programs.
- Smarter Sportsgrounds Systems
Council has been successful in securing grant funding of $35,000 from LG NSW under Increasing Resilience to Climate Change Round 2 for the Smarter Sportsground Systems Project. The grant will enable Council to upgrade the current irrigation controllers at the Jubilee Sporting Complex.
$28,000 (80%) will be received in 2019/20 and a further $7,000 (20%) in 2021/22. Estimated Project Completion: November 2021
- Bushfire Fundraising Event
Council has been requested to assist with the organisation and support of a Rural Fire Service (RFS) family friendly community event called 'Raise Your Voice' on Saturday 15 February 2020 at the Wagga Showground. This proposed charity concert has the sole purpose of raising funds and awareness with all proceeds donated going back to the RFS. Council will contribute $10,000 to assist with the running of the event.
- Wiradjuri Walking Track Masterplan
Council has been successful in securing $88,000 in grant funds from Crown Lands, Department of Planning, Industry & Environment to develop a masterplan for the 42-kilometre Wiradjuri Walking Track. It is envisaged the masterplan will guide the development of the track for the next 10-15 years. Estimated Project Completion: June 2020
- Wilga Park Mural
Council has been successful in securing grant funds from the Federal Government's Stronger Communities Program to transform Wilga Park (Kooringal). This will be done by installing a mural to a large adjacent wall. It is proposed to fund Council's 80% contribution by way of in-kind project management ($5K) and existing public art budgets ($35K), in addition to Stronger Communities funding ($10K). Estimated Project Completion: 30 June 2020
- Entwine insect trail
Council has been successful in securing grant funds under the Federal Government's Stronger Communities Program Round 5 for an insect trail as part of the Entwine Project schedule of works. The Entwine Project will increase the connection between the Museum of the Riverina and the Botanic Gardens. Funding is from Council's Entwine Project ($24K) and Stronger Communities ($10K). Estimated Project Completion: 30 June 2020
- Art Gallery Humidity Control System
Council has been successful in securing $192,000 grant funds under the NSW Club Grants Category 3 Infrastructure Grants to upgrade the Art Gallery with a new Humidity Control System at an estimated total project cost of $234,000. The required $42,000 Council contribution will be funded from within existing Art Gallery operating expenditure and income budgets. It is estimated that $21,000 will be expended in the 2019/20 financial year and $213K will be expended during the 2020/21 financial year. Estimated Project Completion: 30 June 2021
- Renew Community Amenities – Anderson Oval
The Anderson Oval Amenities Upgrade is currently scheduled for completion during the 2020/21 financial year. As the project will need to be delivered in the summer months (cricket season) of 2020/21, it is proposed to start the design phase now and bring forward $25,000 into the 2019/20 financial year to fund the full design including the structural component, project management and a contingency. Estimated Project Completion: 30 June 2021
RP-2 FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE REPORT AS AT 31 DECEMBER 2019
Proposed waste bin fee
A proposed new domestic waste kerbside collection fee for the supply of 1,100L general waste bins will be placed on public exhibition.
It's proposed a charge of $650 per bin be added to the 2019/20 Fees and Charges as a result of a recent request.
Submissions will be accepted until 22 February 2020.
RP-3 PROPOSED NEW FEE FOR THE 2019/20 FEES AND CHARGES
MoU with Business Chamber
Councillors have endorsed a Memorandum of Understanding between Council and the Wagga Business Chamber.
The MoU has been developed to define the key objectives, funding administration and management of a partnership between Council and the Chamber.
A budget variation for $65,000 in funding was also approved in financial support for the Chamber to deliver business development, education, advocacy, recognition and advice for businesses.
Council will also provide the Chamber with all the relevant goals and/or actions from Council-approved plans that relate to the business community for consideration of inclusion in the four-year Strategic Plan.
RP-4 WAGGA WAGGA BUSINESS CHAMBER MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING (MOU)
Roadside Memorials Policy
Council has adopted the Roadside Memorials Policy. The draft policy was placed on public exhibition for 28 days, with a 42 day submission period which closed on 10 December 2019. During the submission period, Council received one submission.
RP-5 ROADSIDE MEMORIALS POLICY - POL118
Agency Information Guide
Council has adopted the revised Agency Information Guide that provides the community with information relating to Council and how best to access Council information.
The guide is currently available to members of the public as a PDF document. Council officers are currently investigating the possibility of making a web-based version as this would improve accessibility as well as being an introduction to all information Council is proactively releasing on the website.
The guide is a requirement of the Government Information (Public Access) Act 2009 Part 3 Division 2 and is to be reviewed annually and adopted by Council.
RP-6 AGENCY INFORMATION GUIDE
Cultural Plan on exhibition
The draft City of Wagga Wagga Cultural Plan 2020-30, which outlines a 10-year vision and strategy for programming and infrastructure projects to support arts, culture, creative industries and heritage in the city, has been endorsed to be placed on public exhibition.
The draft Cultural Plan has been developed through extensive community consultation and supports the vision and objectives of expressed in Wagga View, the Community Strategic Plan.
The plan will be on public exhibition for a period of 28 days from 22 January 2020, with public submissions invited during that period.
RP-7 WAGGA WAGGA CULTURAL PLAN 2020 – 2030
Enliven Public Art Plan
Council has endorsed a report which details proposed variations to the Schedule of Works in the Enliven Public Art Plan 2017-21 to ensure the plan responds to needs identified since it was adopted. The overall budget value of the Public Art Plan's Schedule of Works is not affected by this variation.
Council agreed to update the Public Art Collection register as detailed in the report, and approve the budget variation/s as detailed in the Financial Implications section of the report.
RP-8 BUDGET VARIATION: ENLIVEN PUBLIC ART PLAN 2017-21
Events Strategy and Action Plan
The draft Events Strategy and Action Plan 2020 – 2024, which provides a five-year framework to guide Council in the planning, development, attraction and decision-making for events in the Wagga Local Government Area, will be placed on exhibition for public input.
Council endorsed the draft plan to go on public exhibition for 28 days from 22 January, with public submissions invited until 3 March 2020. A further report will go to Council addressing any submissions and recommendations.
A report to Council also highlighted a Flagship funding category being considered as part of the draft Strategy. This category would allow events that have already received the maximum allowable sponsorship within the current funding programs to be considered for future support.
RP-9 EVENTS STRATEGY AND ACTION PLAN 2020-2024
Regional Procurement Preference Policy
Council will proceed towards drafting a Regional Procurement Preference Policy in response to resolution 19/326 from the 9 September 2019 Council meeting and subsequent workshop on 9 December 2019.
RP-11 PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT OF A DRAFT REGIONAL PROCUREMENT PREFERENCE
Civic Centre Lighting Upgrade complete
Council received a report noting the Civic Centre Lighting Upgrade Project was completed on 16 December 2019 - on-time and under budget.
In total, 355 lights and 185 spare lenses were supplied for the galleries. 336 metres of new track has been installed in the art gallery and 75 metres was installed in the glass gallery. 64 lights and 82 metres of track was installed in the Historic Council Chambers. In the library, 175 lights and 316 tubes were replaced.
The project has been completed $39,841.84 under budget at a final total cost of $571,355.56 GST exclusive
RP-13 CIVIC CENTRE LIGHTING UPGRADE COMPLETION
Lease agreements renewed
Council has agreed to negotiate the renewal of various community, cultural and sporting association lease and licence agreements which will expire in 2020.
Council has approximately 85 agreements with organisations that utilise Council land and buildings.
RP-14 RENEWAL OF COMMUNITY, CULTURAL AND SPORTING LEASE AND LICENCE AGREEMENTS EXPIRING DURING 2020
Lease for Uranquinty rest stop area
Council has agreed to enter into lease agreements with the Australian Rail Track Corporation (ARTC) for land Council occupies at Uranquinty.
The land (approx. 9,000sqm) is located between the Olympic Highway and the Main Southern Railway Line west of the Yarragundry Street level crossing.
Council assets located on the land include a Rural Fire service shed, toilet and picnic amenities, car parking, landscaping and a playground.
RP-15 PROPOSED LEASE FROM AUSTRALIAN RAIL TRACK CORPORATION FOR URANQUINTY RURAL FIRE SHED, REST STOP AND PLAYGROUND
Leisure Company lease extended
Council will extend a lease with The Leisure Company Integrated Recreation Incorporated, for premises at 99 Peter Street in Wagga, to a total term of one year and six months expiring on 30 November 2020.
CONF-1 PROPOSED LEASE RENEWAL TO THE LEISURE COMPANY INTEGRATED RECREATION INCORPORATED - 99 PETER STREET, WAGGA WAGGA
Negotiations to start for taxiway upgrade
Council will enter into negotiations to secure a contract for the Airport Taxiway Upgrade Stage 1 project after agreeing to a recommendation to decline all previous tenders.
It was also agreed to accept Restart NSW grant funding of an additional $1 million to undertake the taxiway project.
CONF-3 AIRPORT TAXIWAY
Refund of residence charges
Council has agreed to refund charges on a property which has been used as a single occupancy dwelling since its purchase in October 2007. The owner had been charged for dual occupancy on service charges, namely sewer, kerbside and stormwater.
CONF-4 RATEPAYER MATTER
Flood mitigation feasibility study
A recommendation to enter into a contract for the Feasibility Study for Flood Mitigation Options for North Wagga and Surrounding Floodplain Area has been approved by Council.
Council has accepted the offer of Centre for International Economics for undertaking the Feasibility Study for Flood Mitigation Options.
CONF-5 RFT2020-13 FEASIBILITY STUDY FOR FLOOD MITIGATION OPTIONS FOR NORTH WAGGA AND SURROUNDING FLOODPLAIN AREA
New truck purchases
Council has approved the purchase of two 4x2 tip and tilt tray trucks and a 6x4 truck with fire fighting capability to be based at Gregadoo Waste Management Centre. The supplier is Wagga Trucks Pty Ltd.
CONF-6 RFQ2020-519 SUPPLY OF ONE 6X4 TRUCK WITH FIRE FIGHTING CAPABILITY & CONF-7 RFQ2020-517 SUPPLY OF TWO 4X2 TIP AND TILT TRAY TRUCKS
