Wrap of the February Council Meeting

Published on 02 March 2023

MAYORAL MINUTE

Bariatric ambulances needed

Mayor Tom Kennedy requested that Council write to relevant Ministers to fund the provision of a local bariatric ambulance to safely transport heavier and larger patients requiring medical care.

REPORTS

Council to object to land valuations

The Valuer General recently completed a review of Broken Hill, and closer inspection of the review has shown property value changes ranging from an increase of 464%, through to some properties reducing in value by 26%. As the amount of rates paid by each household is directly linked to land value, such a large variance in land value will cause further inequality in rates paid by each household. The Deputy Mayor and General Manager subsequently met with the Valuer General and CEO of the Valuer General’s Office in Sydney in late February to further discuss the issue. The meeting resulted in a positive outcome with the Valuer General agreeing to a city-wide review of land valuations following the submission of a city-wide objection from Council stating the areas of concern, along with sales and market data as evidence. The decision to lodge this objection was carried at the February Monthly Meeting of Council, and staff will now begin the process of lodging the objection on behalf of the city.

Mayor Kennedy again stressed that Council does not collect any extra money in rates due to land value changes. Council only ever collects a set total of rates each year, however land values determine how much each household contributes to this set total; high value properties contribute more, and lower value properties contribute less.

No fee for Friends

Council agreed to waive waste fees at the Waste Management Facility for the Feeding Friends group. Feeding Friends volunteers offer food and assistance to homeless and struggling persons in the city.

Group to tackle fruit fly

A working group headed by Councillor Ron Page has been formed to try and reduce the impact of Queensland Fruit Fly in Broken Hill. Terms Of Reference for the group will now be developed, however those with an interest in tackling fruit fly are encouraged to contact [email protected] and register their interest.

Small deficit increase predicted

The December Quarterly Budget Review shows an increase in the projected 2022/23 operating deficit (before capital items) of $272,000, with an overall projected operating deficit of $2,125,000 predicted for the financial year. The small increase is due to ongoing legal costs associated with the Civic Centre and the digitisation of old film and audio records stored in the city's archives.

Three to represent BH at NGA

Councillors Browne, Gallagher, and Chandler will represent Broken Hill at the National General Assembly (NGA) of Local Government in Canberra on 13-15 June, 2023. The NGA brings together hundreds of delegates from Councils across Australia to debate issues of national significance to local government.

Drinks to flow at film festival

Councillors voted in favour of suspending a portion of the Alcohol Free Zone in Sturt Park to allow for bar facilities for the upcoming Perfect Light Film Festival to be held on March 25. The Perfect Light Film Festival is a free, outdoor film festival whereby the public are encouraged to bring a rug and watch a selection of short films on the big screen. Shortlisted films compete for monetary prizes and are judged live by a celebrity judging panel.

CONFIDENTIAL

Election tender granted

Council awarded a $207,113 tender to the NSW Electoral Commissioner to administer the next local elections in September 2024.

Council eyes key worker housing

Council has purchased the old iceworks site (176-178 Beryl Street) at a cost of $210,000. A feasibility study, preliminary concept designs, and a business case will now be prepared for the development of a multi-storey residential apartment building on the site to house key workers in the city. Council will look to enter a partnership with key Government bodies from the Health, Police, and Education sectors to fund the proposed project.

Small savings in library project

Ongoing engineering discussions with the preferred tenderer for the new library project, North Building & Construction Pty Ltd, has resulted in a potential tender cost saving of $1,577,184. However Council is still facing a funding shortfall for the project due to spiralling material and labour costs over the past 12 months. Council is continuing to advocate to State and Federal Governments for financial relief from escalating project costs. Council is however set to proceed with the first stage of the project, including carpark works and the refurbishment of the ground floor of Council's Administrative Centre to house a temporary library as the new build progresses.