Minutes of Ordinary Meeting of Council

Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting of Council held on Monday 12 May 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 (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)

Manager Corporate Governance & Performance (Mr D Galloway)

Corporate Planning and Performance Coordinator (Mr B Ristivojevic)

Manager Development Assessment &

Building Certification (Mr C Collins)

Manager Community Services (Ms M Scully)

Community Development Coordinator (Ms A Osgood)

Corporate Governance Coordinator (Mrs N Johnson)

Communications & Engagement Coordinator (Mr M Casey)

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

An apology for non-attendance was received and accepted for Director Economy, Business & Workforce, Mrs F Piltz on the Motion of Councillors T Koschel and L Tanner.

LEAVE OF ABSENCE

25/121 RESOLVED:

On the Motion of Councillors T Koschel and G Davies

That Council grant a leave of absence to Councillor Jenny McKinnon for the period from 21 May to the 30 May 2025.

CARRIED

RECORD OF VOTING ON THE MOTION

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

Confirmation of Minutes

CM-1 CONFIRMATION OF MINUTES - ORDINARY COUNCIL MEETING - 28 APRIL 2025

25/122 RESOLVED:

On the Motion of Councillors G Davies and L Tanner

That the Minutes of the proceedings of the Ordinary Council Meeting held on 28 April 2025 be confirmed as a true and accurate record.

CARRIED

RECORD OF VOTING ON THE MOTION

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

Declarations Of Interest

Councillor A Condron declared a Non-Significant Non-Pecuniary Interest in RP-2 RESPONSE TO NOTICE OF MOTION - DEVELOPMENT OF HIGH QUALITY AGRICULTURAL LAND the reason being that she works for an agricultural dealership and the speaker on this item was on her ticket in the Local Government Election and remained in the chamber during its consideration.

Councillor A Condron declared a Significant Non-Pecuniary Interest in CONF-1 CT2025054 Hired Plant, Equipment & Fleet Supply the reason being that some of the applicants in the tender were on her ticket in the Local Government Election and vacated the chamber during its consideration.

Councillor G Davies declared a Significant Non-Pecuniary Interest in RP-3 2025/26 AIRPORT FEES AND CHARGES, the reason being that a family member is an active member of the Wagga Aero Club and also owns a private aircraft and vacated the chamber during its consideration.

Councillor T Koschel declared a Non-Significant Non-Pecuniary Interest in RP-2 RESPONSE TO NOTICE OF MOTION - DEVELOPMENT OF HIGH QUALITY AGRICULTURAL LAND the reason being that the speaker was in his group for the Local Government Elections and remained in the chamber during its consideration.

Councillor T Koschel declared a Significant Non-Pecuniary Interest in CONF-1 CT2025054 Hired Plant, Equipment & Fleet Supply the reason being that some of the tenderers listed within the report were was on his ticket in the Local Government Election and vacated the chamber during its consideration.

Councillor A Parkins declared a Non-Significant Non-Pecuniary Interest in RP-1 RESPONSE TO NOTICE OF MOTION - RIVERINA MEN'S HEALTH CENTRE the reason being that she is on the Management Committee for the Women’s Health Centre who are noted in the report and remained within the chamber during its consideration.

PUBLIC DISCUSSION FORUM

RP-2 RESPONSE TO NOTICE OF MOTION - DEVELOPMENT OF HIGH QUALITY AGRICULTURAL LAND

· Mr Michael Henderson – Speaking in Favour of the Report

RP-3 2025/26 AIRPORT FEES AND CHARGES

Councillor G Davies declared a Significant Non-Pecuniary Interest and vacated the chamber, the time being 6:16pm.

· Mr James Morgan – Speaking Against the Report

· Mr Geoff Breust – Speaking Against the Report (via Zoom)

Councillor G Davies re-entered the chamber, the time being 6:35pm.

PROCEDURAL MOTION - CHANGE STANDING ORDERS

25/123 RESOLVED:

On the Motion of Councillors A Parkins and L Tanner

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

RP-2 - RESPONSE TO NOTICE OF MOTION - DEVELOPMENT OF HIGH QUALITY AGRICULTURAL LAND
RP-3 - 2025/26 AIRPORT FEES AND CHARGES

CARRIED

RECORD OF VOTING ON THE MOTION

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

Reports from Staff

RP-2 RESPONSE TO NOTICE OF MOTION - DEVELOPMENT OF HIGH QUALITY AGRICULTURAL LAND

25/124 RESOLVED:

On the Motion of Councillors R Foley and T Koschel

That Council

a acknowledge the report and the legal avenues which might be explored to better protect the prime agricultural land in the Wagga Local Government Area

b direct the General Manager to identify a pathway to seek a better protection of prime agricultural land via an alteration the Local Environmental Plan and Development Control Plan

c direct the General Manager to bring a further report to Council which recommends the preferred pathway and seeking authorisation to action the preferred pathway, which may include processes to better inform the community of State and regional development proposals at time of consultation

CARRIED

RECORD OF VOTING ON THE MOTION

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

RP-3 2025/26 AIRPORT FEES AND CHARGES

Councillor G Davies declared a Significant Non-Pecuniary Interest and vacated the chamber, the time being 6:42pm.

25/125 RESOLVED:

On the Motion of Councillors A Parkins and L Tanner

That Council:

a revert to the historic landing fee arrangement from 2018/2019

b increase the General Aviation charges and airport carparking charges by 3%

c include the proposed changes in (a) and (b) above as part of the public exhibition process for item RP-4 for the ordinary council meeting,12 May 2025

d schedule a Councillor workshop to review all post 2025/26 airport fees and charges after the airport lease has been finalised.

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 7:07pm.

RP-1 RESPONSE TO NOTICE OF MOTION - RIVERINA MEN'S HEALTH CENTRE

A MOTION was moved by Councillor R Foley and seconded by Councillor G Davies

That Council:

a note the report and consultation findings from key stakeholders

b commend the Wagga Women’s Health Centre for their leadership in co-facilitating the Wagga Wagga & Surrounds Men’s Leadership Forum in July 2024

c receive and note the attached petition received on 23 April 2025 to ‘Establish a Men’s Wellness Centre in Wagga’

d note that the petition’s request is addressed in this report as part of the response to the Notice of Motion parts a) and b)

e request staff advise the petition contact person of Council’s resolution in accordance with Council’s Petition Policy (POL 086)

f note Council’s advocacy role and adopted Advocacy Plan statement of commitment to the prevention of Domestic and Family Violence being:

“We will advocate for resources and funding levels that support the front-line services and other organisations addressing coercive control, abuse and violence and their delivery of preventative programs to address gender equity and respectful relationships”

g staff make contact with the Men’s Consultative Group to provide them with the report’s findings and as detailed in this report

h initiate an Expression of Interest (EOI) process, in partnership with the Men’s Consultative Group, to establish a community-led Working Group to develop the Riverina Men’s Health Centre

i support a delegation of Working Group and Council representatives to formally lobby the Federal and State Governments for funding support, consistent with their commitments to preventing domestic and family violence

j assist the Working Group with drafting a Terms of Reference, setting up governance arrangements, and providing a regular meeting space

k continue supporting the Working Group through staff involvement, stakeholder engagement, funding identification, and advocacy

l receive a progress report within three months, outlining the Working Group’s composition, activities, and next steps

m approve funding a temporary position to lead the establishment of the Working Group up to a maximum of $70,000 to be funded from the Livestock Marketing Centre

An AMENDMENT was moved by Councillor J McKinnon and seconded by Councillor A Parkins

That Council:

a note the report and consultation findings from key stakeholders

b commend the Wagga Women’s Health Centre for their leadership in co-facilitating the Wagga Wagga & Surrounds Men’s Leadership Forum in July 2024

c receive and note the attached petition received on 23 April 2025 to ‘Establish a Men’s Wellness Centre in Wagga’

d note that the petition’s request is addressed in this report as part of the response to the Notice of Motion parts a) and b)

e request staff advise the petition contact person of Council’s resolution in accordance with Council’s Petition Policy (POL 086)

f note Council’s advocacy role and adopted Advocacy Plan statement of commitment to the prevention of Domestic and Family Violence being:

g staff make contact with the Men’s Consultative Group to provide them with the report’s findings and as detailed in this report

Councillor L Tanner signalled a FORESHADOWED AMENDMENT to the Mayor.

The AMENDMENT on being put to the meeting was CARRIED and became the MOTION.

RECORD OF VOTING ON THE AMENDMENT

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

An AMENDMENT was moved by Councillor L Tanner and seconded by Councillor R Foley