Wrap of February 2022 Meeting

Published on 25 February 2022

MAYORAL MINUTES

Library to go ahead

Council agreed to build the new library and archives on a reduced scope, whilst also spending $4.1 million on CBD upgrades to be selected from the existing CBD Master Plan.

Push for affordable housing

Council will take a motion to the National General Assembly of Local Government calling for the Government to increase Fringe Benefit Tax concessions to make it more affordable to live in mining communities. The meeting will be held on June 19-22 and be attended by the Mayor, Deputy Mayor, General Manager, and Councillor Alan Chandler.

REPORTS

Planning delegates selected

Council appointed new member to the Regional Planning Panel, including the Mayor, General Manager, Councillor Michael Boland, Razija Nu'man (Chief Corporate and Community Officer). The Panel is used to strengthen decision making on regionally significant Development Applications.

Policy on display

Councillors voted to put the draft Councillor Support Policy out for public exhibition for 28 days. The purpose of the Policy is to ensure that Councillors receive adequate and reasonable facilities and expenses to carry out their duties. The Policy can be found on page 194 of this month's business papers, and submissions can be made here.

Video conference preferred

Councillors voted to attend the Waste Management Conference via video link rather than in person. The conference will be held in Coffs Harbor on May 3-5.

Deficit increases

The quarterly review of Council's budget showed an increase of the projected operating deficit of $416,000, and an increase in capital expenditure of $845,000. The increase in the operating deficit is due to ongoing legal costs regarding the Civic Centre litigation, while the capital expenditure increase is primarily due to extra project costs associated with the upgrade of Queen Elizabeth Park and the Gallery.

Specialists appointed

Council appointed specialists James Mitchell, James Mathers, and Nunzio De Lisio to Council's Audit, Risk and Improvement Committee.

Support for business group

Council approved $20,000 seed funding for Business Far West to coordinate business and tourism advocacy, training and development. The formation of a 355 Committee for tourism will also be considered.

Gateway sign committee

Council endorsed the Mayor, Deputy Mayor and Councillor Ron Page to represent Council on the Gateway Signage Advisory Committee> Other interested Councillors are also welcome to join.

Consultation for Creedon St park

Council will engage with the aboriginal community over the possibility of establishing a park in the Creedon Street area.

Homeless issue considered

Council authorised the Mayor to liaise with appropriate community groups to try and address the homeless persons issue in the CBD. Council will also continue to support interagency meetings on other community issues.

Return to cash

A motion was passed to reinstate the acceptance of cash at Council facilities. The change is expected to be fully implemented across all Council services by late March.

Gallery branding rejected

Council rejected a plan to give the city's gallery new branding. The facility was also renamed to "Broken Hill City Art Gallery". 

CONFIDENTIAL

Legal spending questioned

The General Manager will contact the Auditor General to investigate the legality of the expenditure to defend against the Ombudsman's report regarding the use of the Civic Centre without an occupation certificate in 2017.

Debt written off

Council voted to write off $61,302 of bad debt in relation to the land at 564-638 Barrier Highway, with the owner to make monthly $5,000 payments to clear the remaining debt.