Council Meeting Highlights: August 2024
28 August 2024
Warren Shire’s Ordinary Council Meeting was held on Thursday 22 August 2024. Highlights from this meeting included:
INVESTIGATING NEW OFF-LEASH DOG AREAS
Currently, Ebert Park and Orchard Street Park are the designated off-leash areas for dogs in Warren. However, due to their limited size, Victoria Park is being used more frequently for this purpose. Carter Oval Youth Sports Precinct was also identified as an unsuitable off-leash area. As a result Council is considering Environmental Park as a potential new site for off-leash use and will investigate its suitability. Fencing Ebert Park and Orchard Street Park has been found to be impractical.
SAFETY UPGRADES AT ST MARY’S PARISH SCHOOL AND WARREN CENTRAL SCHOOL
Council has decided to keep the St. Mary's Parish School bus zone in its current location after repositioning signage. Council will collaborate with Transport for NSW on design enhancements and review traffic signage once implemented. Council will also make several safety improvements around Warren Central School, including extending parking signs, upgrading the Chester Street crossing and modifying the Hale Street bus zone.
$3.5MIL IN FLOOD REIMBURSEMENTS
Council reported a total unclaimed amount of $4,485,621.42 for flood recovery works. With $1 million provided by a special restoration grant, the amount currently unclaimed is $3,485,621.42. This significant sum will be essential for upcoming infrastructure recovery and improvement projects.
LIBRARY UPDATE
Warren’s new Librarian, Erica Kearnes, advised that Children’s Book Week was run from August 17-23, 2024, with the Library currently promoting a new costume loan concept. Spring holiday activities will also be advertised shortly. The first Stella Day Out outside a major city, hosted by Armatree CWA, is set for early September at Curban Community Hall. Authors Maggie McKellar and Jessie Tu are scheduled to speak at the Library on September 9, 2024.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND TOURISM UPDATE
Council’s 2024 Regional Telecommunications Independent Review submission has been completed and lodged. This review, held every three years, assesses telecommunication needs in regional, rural and remote communities across Australia. We will monitor developments through to December and encourage feedback from those living or working in our region. Additionally, the "Discover Warren" Tourism Guide is at the printers and will officially launch in September.
WORKS PROGRESS REPORT Major projects across Warren Shire are nearing completion. On Thursday, 22nd August, 2024, Roy Butler MP and Mayor Milton Quigley officially opened four newly completed projects; The Warren Airport Terminal and other improvement works, the Warren Showground and Racecourse Complex, Ewenmar Waste Depot Transfer Station and the Warren Water Supply Augmentation at Bore Flat.
The Carter Oval Youth Sports Precinct amenities building is expected to be completed by the end of September, 2024. The Warren War Memorial Swimming Pool's upgrades to amenities, change rooms, canteen and clubhouse are also on track for completion by the end of September, just in time for the pool season. Additionally, work on the Victoria Park Female Friendly Amenities will begin in October 2024, with completion projected for March 2025.
COUNCIL REVIEWS JULY 2024 INVESTMENT AND BANK BALANCES
The Council received and noted the Statements of Bank and Investment Balances as of 31st July 2024.
General Manager Gary Woodman highlighted the importance of these investments, emphasising their role in supporting the Council's budget through interest returns.
STATE OF THE SHIRE REPORT ADOPTED
The State of the Shire Report 2021-2024 has been adopted by the Council to fulfill the Integrated Planning and Reporting Framework requirements under the Local Government Act 1993. This report details the final progress made towards achieving the community's goals outlined in the Delivery Program and Community Strategic Plan, highlighting significant achievements from the past three years. To view the report, refer to the General Manager’s report Item 4, page 28 of Council’s August 22 Ordinary Meeting Business Paper.
DELEGATION OF AUTHORITY DURING 2024 LOCAL ELECTION PERIOD
Council has delegated specific authority to Dr. Milton Quigley (Mayor) and Mrs. Sarah Derrett (Deputy Mayor) for the period between the Local Government Elections on September 14, 2024, and the election of a new Mayor and Deputy Mayor. Dr. Quigley's delegated powers include overseeing the General Manager, authorising urgent works up to $20,000, responding to the media, and representing Council. Mrs. Derrett is empowered to perform the Mayor's statutory functions in his absence and affix the Council's Common Seal on necessary documents. These measures ensure continuity in Council operations during the election transition.
ON THE ROADS
Heavy patching on SH11 – Oxley Highway will begin in a few weeks, covering an area of 18,264 square metres. SR64 - Ellengerah Road patching is nearly complete, with only final prep and resealing left, while work on SR91 - Industrial Access Road starts next week. The SR58 - Nevertire-Bogan Road Rehabilitation Project resumed in August 2024, with 3.5 km of pavement widened, and subgrade work finished. Guardrail installation on SR65 - Old Warren Road is complete, along with work to SR69 – Mullengudgery Road and SR95 – Gunningba Road. Ongoing works include RR333 - Carinda Road which has been delayed due to wet weather, SR62 – Buddabadah Road and SR68 – Bundemar Road, crack sealing on roads in the 2024-25 Resealing Program and on RR333 - Carinda Road, SH11 - Oxley Highway, and other local roads as needed. Approximately 473 metres of kerb and gutter will also be replaced along Clyde / Trangie, Clyde / Narromine Streets in Nevertire and Bundemar Street, Warren in early September, 2024.
SOFTFALL INSTALLATION UNDERWAY AT SPLASH PARK
Work on the rubberised Softfall installation at the Splash Park is underway. This involves removing the existing astro turf, constructing a concrete slab to direct water and installing the new Softfall material. The project will take several weeks, after which Council will enhance the surrounding landscaping, improve drainage and lay new turf.
EWENMAR WASTE TRANSFER STATION & ENVIRONMENTAL UPGRADES Warren Shire Council secured grant funding in 2019 for the Ewenmar Waste Transfer Station and environmental upgrades as part of the "Waste Less, Recycle More" initiative. The project included installing litter-proof fencing and enhancing waste sorting to reduce unacceptable waste and recyclables disposed of as general waste. With $155,658 in grant funding, the project’s total cost reached $340,000. On 22nd August, Roy Butler MP and Mayor Milton Quigley officially opened the new Transfer Station, marking a significant step in improving the region's waste management.
The next Council Meetings will be held on Thursday 10 October, 2024 (Extraordinary) and Thursday 24 October, 2024 (Ordinary).
-ENDS-
Enquiries:
Gary Woodman
General Manager, Warren Shire Council
E: gary.woodman@warren.nsw.gov.au
PH: 02 6847 6600
Download a PDF version of the August 2024 Council Meeting Highlights