Council meeting update - 27 August 2019
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Here is an overview of outcomes from tonight’s Ordinary Meeting of Tamworth Regional Council:
Councillors decided to temporarily amend the Drought Management Plan to allow the opening of Tamworth South and West War Memorial Swimming Pool (Scully Pool) and Kootingal Memorial Swimming Pool at Level 5 Water Restrictions on the condition that pool water is sourced from a non-potable supply at one of Council’s Riverside Sporting Fields. They also agreed to review the temporary arrangement when water level at Chaffey Dam approaches 15 per cent capacity. Tamworth, Moonbi and Kootingal will move to Level 5 when the dam’s water level reaches 20 per cent capacity. There was considerable discussion among councillors at the meeting about the issue. They acknowledged the concerns of residents and sporting groups raised about the need to keep two pools open. Kimberley Squires of Tamworth Triathlon Club and Greg Poetschka of Kootingal Moonbi Swim Club made pleas for the Kootingal pool to be kept open.
Council’s pools at Barraba, Manilla and Nundle will open as expected on 14 October 2019. Water supplies in those areas are not expected to hit the trigger for Level 5 this summer.
Also related to the drought, Councillors adopted a Draft Drought Management Response – Water Restrictions Communication and Engagement Plan with the exception the crisis point of 5% to be referred to the Tamworth Regional Water Supply Taskforce. The plan details a range of specific and achievable communication and engagement activities to ensure the community, residents and businesses are aware and taking action to actively reduce consumption of treated water.
Councillors agreed to fund the Level 5 Water Restrictions Marketing Plan. It includes funding the essential elements of at a total cost of $105,213.25 over six months and the additional elements at an additional cost of $59,170 over six months plus the purchase of new sign panels with water restrictions at existing locations at town entrances to be funded from the existing community education budget.
After some discussion, Councillors decided to support an application from its Effluent Reuse Farm operator which wants to seek approval from NSW Government authorities to cull kangaroos on the site. Council is required to support the application because it owns the property. A similar application from a lessee of Council land at North Tamworth in April was refused because of that property’s proximity to Tamworth Base Hospital, homes and busy roads but Councillors last night agreed the Effluent Reuse Farm on New Winton Road is a “more isolated” location.
The Energy Sustainability Six Monthly Report was tabled at the meeting. It highlighted a range of energy sustainability initiatives underway and well as projects to be implemented in the next six months. The report included a project to start next month to upgrade the lights in Council’s Ray Walsh House building in Tamworth to LED technology. It will cost $108,500 to complete but then save $35,000 in energy and maintenance charges each year.
For more information, see the full reports published on Council's websiteWatch the Mayor’s video report here