Council Meeting Highlights - June 2023
23 June 2023
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Warren Shire Highlights: June 2023
Warren Shire’s Ordinary Council Meeting was held on Thursday 22 June 2023. Highlights from this meeting included:
COMMITTEE AND DELEGATE NEWS
- The Ewenmar Waste Depot Committee has provided a progress update on the construction of the Waste Transfer Station, with MLB Concrete and Construction commencing on-site works on Monday 5 June 2023.
The project is quality assured through sampling concrete batches for the footings, retaining wall and parking areas to ensure adequate strength. - It was advised during the MANEX Committee meeting that discussions are underway with affected Councils and local MPs regarding the closure of NAB bank branches in Warren, Gilgandra and Wellington.
Council’s General Manager and Mayor have made contact with the Member for Parkes, Mark Coulton MP, Member for Barwon, Roy Butler MP, and Shadow Minister for Regional NSW, Dugald Saunders MP, to discuss possibilities for retaining the NAB branch in Warren.
It is proposed that affected stakeholders send a letter to the NAB CEO asking for reconsideration of the closure.
Council’s Divisional Manager Engineering Services has also advised of supply issues delaying work until August 2023, affecting TfNSW works on Oxley Highway and planned works on Dubbo Street. Council will undertake community engagement to inform residents and businesses of the impact of the works in Dubbo Street, Warren.
In further news, Council’s new Flood Restoration and Special Projects Manager is set to commence on Monday 3 July 2023. - Discussions were held at the Alliance of Western Councils meeting about the recently announced 73% increase to the Emergency Services Levy, with LGNSW seeking the support of Councils across the state to advocate for further action against the damaging increases.
The meeting also saw a number of presentations by guest speakers, including:- The Hon Tara Moriarty, MLC, Minister for Agriculture, Minister for Regional NSW and Minister for Western NSW.
- Marcus Finn, Federal Department of Water and Megan Winter, General Manager, Basin Plan Implementation Murray Darling Basin Authority.
- James McKechnie, Director, External Engagement Charles Sturt University Dubbo; and
- Damien Limberger, Associate Head of Rural Medicine and Professor in Medicine School of Rural Medicine, Charles Sturt University.
A number of topics were deliberated, including the importance of raising the full supply level of Burrendong Dam for flood mitigation and drought proofing, concerns about the raising of minimum age of criminal responsibility, labour shortages in healthcare, childcare and teaching industries, progress to the Murray Darling Basin Plan and water supply priorities.
Professor Damien Limberger delivered a presentation about the Charles Sturt University School of Rural Medicine, which aims to train and employ local people in regional NSW as practising medical professionals.
An overview of the new Tour de OROC concept was also provided at the meeting, designed to showcase rural communities by shortening the ride distance and allowing participants to spend more time enjoying each town.
- The Country Mayors Association (CMA) has provided updated advice regarding the Emergency Services Levy subsidy, advising that the subsidy was not allocated this year and that a review of the models is to be undertaken. Councils will be writing to local members and the Minister to argue against the increase in the Levy.
Additionally, the CMA maintained that local Councils do not control RFS assets and therefore should not have to account for them in their financial statements. The Association will be writing to the Premier of NSW and the NSW Parliamentary Accounts Committee requesting they investigate the basis behind this decision.
MONKEYGAR BIRD VIEWING PLATFORM UNDERWAY
Construction of the highly anticipated Monkeygar Bird Viewing Platform is now officially underway after an extensive period of delayed progress due to wet weather.
Funded by the Murray-Darling Basin Economic Development Program Round 3 and Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program Phase 4, the $565,000 project involves the construction of the platform itself, as well as toilet amenities and a parking area suitable for buses and RV’s.
UPGRADE UPDATES
In further positive developments to Warren Shire’s growing amenities, Consultants have been asked to provide a reverse quote for developing design and specifications for new facilities at the Warren War Memorial Swimming Pool and Victoria Oval.
Funded by the Stronger Country Communities Fund Round 5 (SCCFR5), the Warren War Memorial Swimming Pool project will see the existing male and female amenities replaced with modern all-access facilities, including accessible and ambulant toilets.
The new amenities at Victoria Park will feature two separate change rooms and public access toilets to
provide safe, equitable and accessible facilities for female participants, funded by the Office of Sport – Female Friendly Community Sport Facilities and Lighting Upgrades Grant Program.
WARREN SHIRE GETS FIT, GETS STRONG
The Get Fit Get Strong Healthy Minds Program has been running successfully at the Warren Sporting and Cultural Centre and Warren War Memorial Swimming Pool since Tuesday 9 May and has been well attended by local youth.
The $49,062 program is funded under the NSW Office of Regional Youth’s Children and Young People Wellbeing Recovery Initiative and will run until 21 July 2023.
LOCAL ROADS CONGRESS
Cr Brewer and Cr McCloskey, alongside Council’s General Manager and Divisional Manager Engineering Services, recently attended the 2023 Local Roads Congress – IPWEA at NSW Parliament House.
A number of special guest speakers were in attendance, including:
- IPWEA NSW & ACT Vice President, Will Barton.
- Councillor Darriea Turley AM, President of Local Government NSW.
- The Hon. Jenny Aitchison MP, Minister for Regional Transport and Roads.
- The Hon. John Graham MLC, Minister for Roads.
- The Hon. Natalie Ward MLC, Shadow Minister for Transport and Roads.
- The Hon. Sam Farraway MLC, Shadow Minister for Regional Transport and Roads.
The Sustainable Investment themed event saw presentations covering a diverse range of topics, such as natural disaster recovery funding, road asset benchmarking, valuation of road assets, freight road access reform and sustainable investment in road funding.
ADOPTION OF 2023/24 OPERATIONAL PLAN AND ESTIMATES
Council has adopted the 2023/2024 Operational Plan and Estimates after consideration of feedback received during the public exhibition period.
The adopted plan has allocated over $20M in funding for capital works projects across the Shire, as well as detailing changes to Fees and Charges for the use of the Western Plains Equestrian Arena.
DELIVERY PROGRAM PROGRESS REPORT
A Progress Report has been prepared outlining the ongoing actions of the 2022/23 – 2025/26 Delivery Program, which was adopted in June 2022.
Of these actions, Council is on target in addressing a number of deliverables across social, economic, infrastructure, environmental and governance target areas. These include:
- Advocating for improved medical services.
- Ensuring that community assets are maintained to acceptable community standards in a cost-effective, efficient, and safe manner.
- Complying with current best practices for water supply networks.
- Creating partnerships with government, businesses and NGOs to create shared service agreements.
Council is also actively working towards progressing several other initiatives in line with its 4-year Delivery Plan, such as advocating for new and additional educational services, preparing a visitor destination management plan for the Shire with input from the community and lobbying the government to increase the capacity of Burrendong Dam.
GRANTS
Warren Shire Council has submitted a grant expression of interest for $2,577,817 in funding under the Growing Regional Economies Fund (GREF) for the delivery of numerous integrated works to create growth opportunities and attract investment to the region.
Projects to be considered for potential funding include the airport terminal building, construction of the Window on the Wetlands Centre access roads, carpark and multi-purpose building, sewerage plant enhancements and construction of the Monkeygar Bird Viewing Platform.
Council is continuing to await notification on numerous other grant funding applications, including the Infrastructure Betterment Fund for the rehabilitation of Segments 64-76 of Carinda Road, and the Infrastructure Betterment Program for the upgrade of Segments 0-4 of Gibson Way.
CAPITAL WORKS IN PROGRESS
Major works are progressing on the Carter Oval Youth Sporting Precinct, Warren Showground / Racecourse Upgrade and Warren Airport Upgrade, with all works scheduled for completion in 2023.
Current project updates include:
- Outstanding works at the GBS Faulkner Lounge have commenced, with concreting works at the front entrance now underway.
- Groundwater monitoring wells and a flowmeter are soon to be installed at the new Sewage Treatment Plant following confirmation from NSW EPA that a license is not required.
- Chlorination system improvements are ongoing across the Shire, with chlorination system installation underway at Bore Flat and Ellengerah.
ON THE ROADS
Crews are continuing to make progress on damage repairs and standard maintenance works across the Shire. Recent works include grading, formwork, signage, floodwork, cold mix in holes, patching and slashing.
In addition, upcoming maintenance and rehabilitation works include:
- Marthaguy Road, Carinda Road, Oxley Highway, Warren Road, Oxley Road, Pleasant View Lane, Pine Clump Soldiers Road, Booka Road and Billybingbone Road.
Read the full Road Report on Council's website.
UPCOMING EVENTS
- Saturday 22 July 2023: Marra Field Day
- Thursday 27 July 2023: Council Meeting
- Saturday 29 – Sunday 30 July 2023: Warren Polocrosse Carnival
See a full list of upcoming events in Warren Shire on Council’s website.