Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting of Council held on Monday 7 April 2025.

Present

The Mayor, Councillor Dallas Tout

Councillor Allana Condron

Councillor Georgie Davies

Councillor Richard Foley

Councillor Tim Koschel

Councillor Jenny McKinnon

Councillor Amelia Parkins

Councillor Karissa Subedi

Councillor Lindsay Tanner

In Attendance

General Manager                                                                    (Mr P Thompson)

Director Community                                                               (Ms J Summerhayes)

Director Infrastructure Services (Acting)                             (Mr H Pavitt)

Director City Engineering                                                      (Mr W Faulkner)

Director Regional Activation                                                 (Mr J Sidgwick)

Chief Financial Officer                                                           (Mrs C Rodney)

Chief Operating Officer                                                          (Mr S Gray)

Director Economy, Business & Workforce                          (Mrs F Piltz)

Acting Manager Development Assessment & Building    (Mrs A Gray)

Certification

Manager Corporate Governance & Performance             (Mr D Galloway)

Property Coordinator                                                              (Mr M Dombrovski)

Manager City Growth & Regional Assets                           (Mr B Creighton)

Corporate Governance Coordinator                                    (Mrs N Johnson)

Communications & Engagement Officer                             (Mrs M Oldaker)

Governance Officer                                                                (Ms K West)

NOTICE TO MEETING

The proceedings of all Council meetings in open session, including all debate and addresses by the public, are recorded (audio visual) and livestreamed on Council’s website including for the purpose of facilitating community access to meetings and accuracy of the Minutes.

In addition to webcasting council meetings, audio recordings of confidential sessions of Ordinary Meetings of Council are also recorded, but do not form part of the webcast.

Council Meetings are also subject to filming and photographing by media agencies which may form part of news and media broadcasts. Members of the gallery are also advised that recording the proceedings of the meeting of the council is prohibited without the prior authorisation of the council.

Acknowledgement Of Country

Wagga Wagga City Council acknowledges the traditional custodians of the land, the Wiradjuri people, and pays respect to Elders past, present and future and extends our respect to all First Nations Peoples in Wagga Wagga.

We recognise and respect their cultural heritage, beliefs and continuing connection with the land and rivers. We also recognise the resilience, strength and pride of the Wiradjuri and First Nations communities.

REFLECTION

Councillors, let us in silence reflect upon our responsibilities to the community which we represent, and to all future generations and faithfully, and impartially, carry out the functions, powers, authorities and discretions vested in us, to the best of our skill and judgement.

APOLOGIES

No apologies were received.

Confirmation of Minutes

CM-1        CONFIRMATION OF MINUTES - ORDINARY COUNCIL MEETING 24 MARCH 2025

25/084       RESOLVED:

On the Motion of Councillors L Tanner and J McKinnon

That the Minutes of the proceedings of the Ordinary Council Meeting held on 24 March 2025 be confirmed as a true and accurate record.

CARRIED

RECORD OF VOTING ON THE MOTION

For the Motion	Against the Motion
D Tout
A Condron
G Davies
R Foley
T Koschel
J McKinnon
A Parkins
K Subedi
L Tanner

Declarations Of Interest

Councillor A Condron declared a Significant Non-Pecuniary Interest in CONF-3 - TERMINATION AND RE-GRANT OF LEASE the reason being that she has a relationship with someone listed within the report and vacated the chamber during its consideration.

Councillor G Davies declared a Significant Non-Pecuniary Interest in CONF-2 EXTENSION TO SUBLEASE / SUBLICENCE AGREEMENTS AT WAGGA WAGGA AIRPORT the reason being a member of her family has a lease at the airport and vacated the chamber during its consideration.

Councillor L Tanner declared a Non-Significant Non-Pecuniary Interest in RP–3 ACCEPTANCE OF FUNDING - SALUTING THEIR SERVICE COMMEMORATIVE GRANTS PROGRAM the reason being he is a member of the RSL sub-Branch and remained in the chamber during its consideration.

PROCEDURAL MOTION - ENGLOBO

25/085       RESOLVED:

On the Motion of Councillors T Koschel and R Foley

That the standing orders be varied for the meeting as set out hereunder:

• Items where councillors wish to speak
• Items where no councillors wish to speak
• Confidential
• Matter of urgency
• Closure of Meeting

That RP-4 to RP-6 be adopted as recommended in the business papers.

CARRIED

RECORD OF VOTING ON THE MOTION

For the Motion	Against the Motion
D Tout
A Condron
G Davies
R Foley
T Koschel
J McKinnon
A Parkins
K Subedi
L Tanner

PUBLIC DISCUSSION FORUM

NOM-1  NOTICE OF MOTION – GAS APPLIANCES IN HOMES AND HEALTH CLAIMS

· Mr Paul Funnell – Speaking in Favour of the Report

· Dr Anthony Hull – Speaking in Against the Report

· Dr Alison Blazey – Speaking Against the Report

RP-2   DISC GOLF PROPOSAL

· Mrs Janet Cartwright – Speaking in Favour of the Report

PROCEDURAL MOTION - CHANGE STANDING ORDERS

25/086       RESOLVED:

On the Motion of Councillors L Tanner and R Foley

That Council move forward consideration of the reports below to follow the Public Discussion Forum:

· NOM-1 NOTICE OF MOTION – GAS APPLIANCES IN HOMES AND HEALTH CLAIMS

· RP-2 DISC GOLF PROPOSAL

CARRIED

RECORD OF VOTING ON THE MOTION

For the Motion	Against the Motion
D Tout
A Condron
G Davies
R Foley
T Koschel
J McKinnon
A Parkins
K Subedi
L Tanner

Motions Of Which Due Notice Has Been Given

NOM-1      NOTICE OF MOTION – GAS APPLIANCES IN HOMES AND HEALTH CLAIMS

25/087       RESOLVED:

On the Motion of Councillors R Foley and G Davies

That Council:

a       writes to relevant health authorities and Standards Australia and the Australian Building Codes Board, seeking formal clarification on the following:

i    whether the use of indoor gas appliances certified to Australian Standards (e.g. AS/NZS 5263) and installed in accordance with the National Construction Code (NCC) poses any verified health risk in residential homes and buildings

ii   whether there is any Australian peer-reviewed health research, or any current reviews underway, that support the assertion that indoor gas appliances certified to Australian Standards, present a substantial health risk under normal operating conditions and compliant ventilation systems

b       requests that the relevant agencies confirm whether existing national standards and ventilation requirements in the National Construction Code sufficiently mitigate the alleged risks being promoted by anti-gas advocate groups

c       include any response received to the letters identified in (a) above in the report due back for resolution 25/071 on the petition regarding reticulated gas in new subdivisions

CARRIED

RECORD OF VOTING ON THE MOTION

For the Motion	Against the Motion
D Tout	J McKinnon
A Condron
G Davies
R Foley
T Koschel
A Parkins
K Subedi
L Tanner

Reports from Staff

RP-2          DISC GOLF PROPOSAL

25/088       RESOLVED:

On the Motion of Councillors T Koschel and A Parkins

That Council provide in principle support for the establishment of a Disc Golf course.

CARRIED

RECORD OF VOTING ON THE MOTION

For the Motion	Against the Motion
D Tout
A Condron
G Davies
R Foley
T Koschel
J McKinnon
A Parkins
K Subedi
L Tanner

Councillor R Foley vacated the chamber, the time being 7:36pm.

Councillor R Foley re-entered the chamber, the time being 7.38pm.

RP-1          DEVELOPMENT APPLICATION DA24/0496 - DEMOLITION OF EXISTING ATTACHED CARPORT AND SMALLER SHED, CONSTRUCTION OF NEW ATTACHED GARAGE, AND USE OF EXISTING SHED - 34 CONDON AVENUE, MOUNT AUSTIN

25/089       RESOLVED:

On the Motion of the Mayor Councillor D Tout and Councillor L Tanner

That Council approve DA24/0496 for the demolition of the existing attached carport and smaller shed, construction of new attached garage, and use of existing shed at 34 Condon Avenue, Mount Austin NSW 2650 (Lot 48 DP 207740) subject to the conditions outlined in the Section 4.15 Assessment Report.

CARRIED

RECORD OF VOTING ON DEVELOPMENT OR PLANNING MATTERS - SECTION 375A(3) LOCAL GOVERNMENT ACT 1993

For the Motion	Against the Motion
D Tout	G Davies
A Condron	T Koschel
A Parkins	J McKinnon
K Subedi
L Tanner

RP2 - DISC GOLF was moved forward to follow the Public Address Forum.

RP-3          ACCEPTANCE OF FUNDING - SALUTING THEIR SERVICE COMMEMORATIVE GRANTS PROGRAM

A Motion was moved by Councillors A Parkins and R Foley

That Council:

a       receive a further report on the option to appoint an appropriately qualified consultant to prepare a condition assessment to guide future conservation works to the Wagga Wagga Honour Roll and Eternal Flame Memorial

b       authorise the General Manager or their delegate to negotiate to enter into a funding agreement with the Office of Veterans’ Affairs for $147,425 of grant funding for the remediation of the Wagga Wagga Honour Roll and Eternal Flame Memorial

c        approve the budget variations as detailed in the financial implications section of this report

d       authorise the affixing of Council’s Common Seal to all relevant documents as required

An AMENDMENT was moved by Councillor T Koschel and Councillor A Condron

That Council defer the matter to the next Ordinary Council Meeting and bring back a report after discussion with the funding body and the Wagga Wagga RSL sub-Branch.

RECORD OF VOTING ON THE AMENDMENT

For the AMENDMENT	Against the AMENDMENT
D Tout	G Davies
A Condron	L Tanner
R Foley
T Koschel
J McKinnon
A Parkins
K Subedi

The AMENDMENT was CARRIED and became the Motion.

25/090       RESOLVED:

On the Motion of Councillors T Koschel and A Condron

That Council defer the matter to the next Ordinary Council Meeting and bring a report back to Council after discussion with the funding body and the Wagga Wagga RSL sub-Branch.

CARRIED

RECORD OF VOTING ON THE MOTION

For the Motion	Against the Motion
D Tout	G Davies
A Condron	L Tanner
R Foley
T Koschel
J McKinnon
A Parkins
K Subedi

RP-4          HARRIS PARK AMENITIES CONSTRUCTION PROJECT - VARIATION TO FUNDING AGREEMENT

25/091       RESOLVED:

On the Motion of Councillors T Koschel and R Foley

That Council:

a       authorise the General Manager or their delegate to enter into a funding agreement with NSW Office of Sport and Wagga Rugby League for $955,000 in grant funding for the reconstruction of the Harris Park amenities

b       in accordance with s55(3)(i) of the Local Government Act 1993, not invite tenders for the proposed project delivery contract for Stage 1 of the Harris Park Amenities upgrade

i.     note the reason for not a calling tenders is on the grounds that Council is satisfied that inviting tenders would not achieve a satisfactory result due to the unavailability of competitive tenderers as Wagga Rugby League will provide the onsite project management, undertake the procurement processes associated with the project and contribute $30,000 of funding to the project.

ii.    authorise the General Manager or their delegate to enter a contract with Wagga Rugby League for Stage 1 of the Harris Park Amenities upgrade in the lump sum amount of $1,273,790

d       authorise the affixing of Council’s Common Seal to all relevant documents as required.

e       approve the budget variations as detailed in the financial implications section of this report

CARRIED

RECORD OF VOTING ON THE MOTION

For the Motion	Against the Motion
D Tout
A Condron
G Davies
R Foley
T Koschel
J McKinnon
A Parkins
K Subedi
L Tanner

RP-5          REQUEST TO TRANSFER CROWN ROAD TO COUNCIL CONTROL - BAKERS LANE NORTH

25/092       RESOLVED:

On the Motion of Councillors T Koschel and R Foley

That Council:

a       authorise the General Manager or their delegate to request the transfer of the whole of the road between the Sturt Highway and Gumly Road from the Department of Crown Lands to Council

b       authorise the affixing of Council’s common seal to any documents required to give effect to this resolution

CARRIED

RECORD OF VOTING ON THE MOTION

For the Motion	Against the Motion
D Tout
A Condron
G Davies
R Foley
T Koschel
J McKinnon
A Parkins
K Subedi
L Tanner

RP-6          PROPOSED LICENCE OF LAND FROM ESSENTIAL ENERGY - PART LOT 1 DP 1088209

25/093       RESOLVED:

On the Motion of Councillors T Koschel and R Foley

That Council:

a       authorise the General Manager or their delegate to negotiate entry into an agreement with Essential Energy over land located at 565B Kooringal Road, Wagga Wagga (being Part Lot 1 DP 1088209)

b       delegate authority to the General Manager or their delegate to complete and execute any necessary documentation on behalf of Council

c       authorise the affixing of Council’s common seal to all documents relating to this matter as required

CARRIED

RECORD OF VOTING ON THE MOTION

For the Motion	Against the Motion
D Tout
A Condron
G Davies
R Foley
T Koschel
J McKinnon
A Parkins
K Subedi
L Tanner

RP-7          QUESTIONS WITH NOTICE

25/094       RESOLVED:

On the Motion of Councillors T Koschel and L Tanner

That Council receive and note the report.

CARRIED

RECORD OF VOTING ON THE MOTION

For the Motion	Against the Motion
D Tout
A Condron
G Davies
R Foley
T Koschel
J McKinnon
A Parkins
K Subedi
L Tanner

closed COUNCIL

25/095       RESOLVED:

On the Motion of Councillors L Tanner and T Koschel

That the Council now resolve itself into a Closed Council, the time being 8.37pm.

CARRIED

RECORD OF VOTING ON THE MOTION

For the Motion	Against the Motion
A Condron
G Davies
R Foley
T Koschel
J McKinnon
A Parkins
K Subedi
L Tanner
D Tout

AT THIS STAGE OF THE MEETING THE PRESS AND PUBLIC GALLERY RETIRED FROM THE COUNCIL MEETING.

Confidential Reports

CONF-1    RFT CT2025062 ACTIVE TRAVEL PLAN STAGE 3 EXHIBITION CENTRE NORTH LINK CONSTRUCTION

25/096       RESOLVED:

On the Motion of Councillors L Tanner and J McKinnon

That Council:

a       accept the tender of Ladex Construction Group Pty Ltd (ABN: 18 082 076 784) for the Active Travel Plan Stage 3 Exhibition Centre North Link Construction for the lump sum price of $881,582.74 excluding GST

b       authorise the General Manager or their delegate to enter a Contract with Ladex Construction Group Pty Ltd (ABN: 18 082 076 784) for the construction of the Active Travel Plan Stage 3 Exhibition Centre North Link for the lump sum price of $881,582.74 excluding GST

c       authorise the affixing of Council’s Common Seal to all relevant documents as required

CARRIED

RECORD OF VOTING ON THE MOTION

For the Motion	Against the Motion
A Condron
G Davies
R Foley
T Koschel
J McKinnon
A Parkins
K Subedi
L Tanner
D Tout

CONF-2    EXTENSION TO SUBLEASE / SUBLICENCE AGREEMENTS AT WAGGA WAGGA AIRPORT

Councillor G Davies declared a Significant Non-Pecuniary Interest and vacated the chamber, the time being 8:43pm.

25/097       RESOLVED:

On the Motion of Councillors T Koschel and J McKinnon

That Council:

a       delegate authority to the General Manager or their delegate to negotiate entry into sublease and sublicence agreements at the Wagga Wagga Airport on the terms noted in the body of this report

b       delegate authority to the General Manager or their delegate to execute all documents as required

c       authorise the affixing of Council’s common seal to all relevant documents as required

CARRIED

RECORD OF VOTING ON THE MOTION

For the Motion	Against the Motion
D Tout
A Condron
R Foley
T Koschel
J McKinnon
A Parkins
K Subedi
L Tanner

Councillor G Davies re-entered the chamber, the time being 8:44pm.

CONF-3    TERMINATION AND RE-GRANT OF LEASE

Councillor A Condron declared a Significant Non-Pecuniary Interest and vacated the chamber, the time being 8:44pm.

25/098       RESOLVED:

On the Motion of Councillors J McKinnon and A Parkins

That Council:

a       authorise the General Manager or their delegate to facilitate the termination and re-granting of a lease of Tomorrow’s Café, Civic Centre, Morrow Street, on the terms contained in the body of this report.

b       authorise the affixing of Council’s common seal to all documents as required

CARRIED

RECORD OF VOTING ON THE MOTION

For the Motion	Against the Motion
D Tout
G Davies
R Foley
T Koschel
J McKinnon
A Parkins
K Subedi
L Tanner

Councillor A Condron re-entered the chamber, the time being 8:49pm.

Reversion to open COUNCIL

25/099       RESOLVED:

On the Motion of Councillors G Davies and J McKinnon

That this meeting of the Closed Council revert to an open meeting of the Council, the time being 8.49pm.

CARRIED

THIS COMPLETED THE BUSINESS OF THE COUNCIL MEETING WHICH ROSE AT 8.50pm.

…………………………………………………..

                                                                                                      MAYOR