Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting of Council held on Monday 17 November 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)

Chief Financial Officer                                                           (Mrs C Rodney)

Chief Operating Officer                                                          (Mr S Gray)

Director Economy, Business & Workforce                          (Mrs F Piltz)

Executive Director Housing & Strategic Planning             (Mrs F Hamilton)

Manager Corporate Governance & Performance             (Mr D Galloway)

Manager Sewer and Stormwater                                          (Mr R Graham)

Property Coordinator                                                              (Mr M Dombrovski)

Corporate Governance Coordinator                                    (Mrs N Johnson)

Communications & Engagement Officer                             (Mrs M Oldaker)

Corporate 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 the Director City Engineering, Mr W Faulkner on the Motion of Councillors A Parkins and L Tanner.

LEAVE OF ABSENCE

25/362       RESOLVED:

On the Motion of Councillors T Koschel and L Tanner

That Council grant a leave of absence to Councillor A Condron for the 19 January 2026.

CARRIED

RECORD OF VOTING ON THE MOTION

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

Confirmation of Minutes

CM-1         CONFIRMATION OF MINUTES - ORDINARY COUNCIL MEETING - 25 OCTOBER 2025

25/363      RESOLVED:

On the Motion of Councillors G Davies and T Koschel

That the Minutes of the proceedings of the Ordinary Council Meeting held on 25 October 2025 be confirmed as a true and accurate record.

CARRIED

RECORD OF VOTING ON THE MOTION

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

CM-2         CONFIRMATION OF MINUTES - EXTRAORDINARY COUNCIL MEETING - 29 OCTOBER 2025

25/364       RESOLVED:

On the Motion of Councillors A Parkins and L Tanner

That the Minutes of the proceedings of the Extraordinary Council Meeting held on 29 October 2025 be confirmed as a true and accurate record.

CARRIED

RECORD OF VOTING ON THE MOTION

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

Declarations Of Interest

Councillor G Davies declared a Significant Non-Pecuniary Interest in CONF-1 36-40 GURWOOD STREET, WAGGA WAGGA - EXPRESSION OF INTEREST OUTCOME REPORT the reason being that a family member owns a share of a building within the vicinity and vacated the chamber during its consideration.

Councillor R Foley declared a Significant Non-Pecuniary Interest in CONF-1 36-40 GURWOOD STREET, WAGGA WAGGA - EXPRESSION OF INTEREST OUTCOME REPORT the reason being that a family member owns a building within the vicinity and vacated the chamber during its consideration.

Councillor T Koschel declared a Non-Significant Non-Pecuniary Interest in RP-4 FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE REPORT AS AT 31 OCTOBER 2025 the reason being that he works in the banking sector, the report is only noting and remained in the chamber during its consideration.

Councillor L Tanner declared a Non-Significant Non-Pecuniary Interest in RP-1 POMEROY DRIVE RECLASSIFICATION AND TRANSFER OF ASSET OWNERSHIP the reason being that he is an Executive at Transport for NSW and vacated the chamber during its consideration.

PROCEDURAL MOTION - ENGLOBO

25/365       RESOLVED:

On the Motion of Councillors A Parkins and L Tanner

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-3 to RP-5, M-1 and CONF-2 be adopted as recommended in the business papers.

CARRIED

RECORD OF VOTING ON THE MOTION

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

Mayoral Minute

MM-1         MAYORAL MINUTE – REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS ADVOCACY

25/366       RESOLVED:

On the Motion of The Mayor, Councillor D Tout

That Council:

a       write to the Murrumbidgee Local Health District (MLHD):

i         Outlining support for the work the Reproductive Rights Forum;

ii        Reaffirming Council’s position on increasing abortion services in Wagga in accordance with the adopted Advocacy Plan;

b       submit the questions provided in the body of the report to the MLHD Annual Meeting, with the addition of:

i How many surgical terminations of pregnancy were done at Wagga Wagga Base Hospital (in the last 12 months) as a result of women's choice or social reasons rather than medical reasons?

ii How many surgical terminations of pregnancy were requested from the district, and of these how many were referred to services outside of the district?

CARRIED

RECORD OF VOTING ON THE MOTION

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

Reports from Staff

RP-1          POMEROY DRIVE RECLASSIFICATION AND TRANSFER OF ASSET OWNERSHIP

Councillor L Tanner declared a Non-Significant Non-Pecuniary Interest and vacated the chamber, the time being 6:21pm.

25/367       RESOLVED:

On the Motion of Councillors G Davies and J McKinnon

That Council:

a       concur with the reclassification of Pomeroy Drive from a Local Road to a Classified State Road and that Transport for NSW will become the Road Authority for the management of Pomeroy Drive

b       agree to transfer the road pavement assets, drainage structures, rail over road bridge and guardrails along Pomeroy Drive to Transport for NSW as detailed in the enclosed Transferred Asset Report

CARRIED

RECORD OF VOTING ON THE MOTION

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

Councillor L Tanner re-entered the chamber, the time being 6:24pm.

RP-2          ANNUAL REPORT 2024/25

25/368       RESOLVED:

On the Motion of Councillors A Parkins and R Foley

That Council receives and notes the 2024/2025 Annual Report that is to be submitted to the Minister for Local Government by 30 November 2025.

CARRIED

RECORD OF VOTING ON THE MOTION

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

RP-3          PRESENTATION OF THE 2024/25 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

25/369       RESOLVED:

On the Motion of Councillors A Parkins and L Tanner

That Council:

a       receive the Audited Financial Statements, together with the Auditor’s Reports on the Financial Statements for the year ended 30 June 2025

b       receive a further report if any public submissions are received

CARRIED

RECORD OF VOTING ON THE MOTION

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

RP-4          FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE REPORT AS AT 31 OCTOBER 2025

25/370       RESOLVED:

On the Motion of Councillors A Parkins and L Tanner

That Council:

a       approve the proposed budget variations and note the balanced budget position as presented in this report

b       approve the proposed budget variations to the Long Term Financial Plan Capital Works Program including new projects and timing adjustments

c       approve the Quarterly Budget Review Statement (QBRS) for the quarter ending 30 September 2025

d       note the Responsible Accounting Officer’s reports, in accordance with the Local Government (General) Regulation 2021 (Part 9 Division 3: Clause 203) that the financial position of Council is satisfactory having regard to the original estimates of income and expenditure and the recommendations made above

e       note the details of the external investments as at 31 October 2025 in accordance with section 625 of the Local Government Act 1993

f        accept the grant funding offers as presented in this report

CARRIED

RECORD OF VOTING ON THE MOTION

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

RP-5          RECORDS & INFORMATION MANAGEMENT POLICY

25/371       RESOLVED:

On the Motion of Councillors A Parkins and L Tanner

That Council:

a       note no public submissions were received during the exhibition period on the draft Records & Information Management Policy (POL 043)

b       adopt the draft Records & Information Management Policy (POL 043)

CARRIED

RECORD OF VOTING ON THE MOTION

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

RP-6          QUESTIONS WITH NOTICE

25/372       RESOLVED:

On the Motion of Councillors T Koschel and G Davies

That Council receive and note the report.

CARRIED

RECORD OF VOTING ON THE MOTION

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

Committee Minutes

M-1            CONFIRMATION OF MINUTES AUDIT, RISK AND IMPROVEMENT COMMITTEE - 24 OCTOBER 2025

25/373       RESOLVED:

On the Motion of Councillors A Parkins and L Tanner

That Council endorse the recommendations contained in the minutes of the Audit, Risk and Improvement Committee Meeting held on 24 October 2025.

CARRIED

RECORD OF VOTING ON THE MOTION

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

closed COUNCIL

25/374       RESOLVED:

On the Motion of Councillors G Davies and J McKinnon

That the Council now resolve itself into a Closed Council, the time being 6.37pm.

CARRIED

RECORD OF VOTING ON THE MOTION

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

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

Confidential Reports

CONF-1    36-40 GURWOOD STREET, WAGGA WAGGA - EXPRESSION OF INTEREST OUTCOME REPORT

Councillors G Davies and R Foley declared and Significant Non-Pecuniary Interest and vacated the chamber, the time being 6:38pm.

25/375       RESOLVED:

On the Motion of Councillors T Koschel and J McKinnon

That Council

a       acknowledge the submissions received through the Expression of Interest campaign

b       reject all submissions received

c       authorise the General Manager or delegate to negotiate entry into a lease arrangement with Relationships Australia (Canberra and Goulburn Region) ABN 34 199 851 375 on the terms outlined in the body of this report with the exception of the lease term be limited to three years with no option to renew

d       authorise the General Manager or delegate to negotiate entry into a lease arrangement with Mission Australia ACN 000 002 522 on the terms outlined in the body of this report, with the exception of the lease term be limited to three years with no option to renew

e       authorise the affixing of Council’s common seals to any documents including lease arrangements

f        include the proposed required building works in the 2026/27 Long Term Financial Plan budget process

CARRIED

RECORD OF VOTING ON THE MOTION

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

Councillors G Davies and R Foley re-entered the chamber, the time being 6:50pm.

CONF-2    ORGANISATION STRUCTURE

25/376       RESOLVED:

On the Motion of Councillors A Parkins and L Tanner

That Council endorse the organisation structure changes and recommendations outlined in the report distributed under separate cover.

CARRIED

RECORD OF VOTING ON THE MOTION

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

Reversion to open COUNCIL

25/377       RESOLVED:

On the Motion of Councillors T Koschel and L Tanner

That this meeting of the Closed Council revert to an open meeting of the Council, the time being 6.51pm.

CARRIED

THIS COMPLETED THE BUSINESS OF THE COUNCIL MEETING WHICH ROSE AT 6.52pm.

…………………………………………………..

                                                                                                      MAYOR