Wrap of the June 2022 Meeting

Published on 30 June 2022

MAYORAL MINUTE

Cities should share renewable load

Council will table a motion at the 2023 National General Assembly and LGNSW Annual Conference calling on the Government to legislate that at least 50% of renewable energy is generated in the capital cities of Australia, and at least 75% of that amount is produced in Sydney and Melbourne. Mayor Kennedy said that cities are the primary consumers of electricity, and therefore the responsibility of housing renewable energy infrastructure should not fall primarily to regional communities.

REPORTS

Lead battle continues

Council will write to the relevant Federal and State Ministers and the State and Local Members regarding concerns that IPART’s determination of the allowable water price increase may impact on the Broken Hill community’s blood lead levels, as the price increase could make it unaffordable for many residents to maintain lawns, gardens, and appropriate dust mitigation measures. Council will also seek ongoing permanent funding for lead testing and prevention programs and services in the city.

No pay rise for Councillors

Councillors voted against accepting a 2% pay rise, and also voted against accepting 10.5% in superannuation on top of their current fees.

New CSP adopted

Council adopted a new Community Strategic Plan (CSP) after the plan was on display for 28 days. The CSP is a 20-year plan aimed at identifying the community’s main long-term priorities and aspirations for the future, and to plan strategies for achieving these goals. The plan will be added to Council's website this week, and in the meantime can be found on page 103 of this month's business papers.

New disability plan supported

A new Disability Inclusion Action Plan (DIAP) was adopted after being placed on public display for 28 days. The strategies within the DIAP seek to create improved and equitable opportunities for all persons living with disability to access the full range of services and activities available in the community, and to participate fully in the community. The plan will be added to Council's website this week, and in the meantime can be found on page 170 of this month's business papers.

New approach to debt

Council voted to soften Council's approach to debt recovery in the community by implementing a new policy. The new policy is significantly more lenient than its predecessor, providing an extra 7 days for residents to respond to overdue notices and raising the threshold for legal action for recovery to $1000. The policy will be added to Council's website this week, and in the meantime can be found on page 205 of this month's business papers.

Update for equal employment

Council adopted a new Equal Employment Opportunity Policy. The policy is required under the Anti-Discrimination Act 1997, and ensures that employment decisions will not be made on the basis of irrelevant characteristics such as a person’s age, sex marital status, race, colour, pregnancy, sexuality, religion, political belief, impairment, or disability. The plan will be added to Council's website this week, and in the meantime can be found on page 270 of this month's business papers.

$47,250 awarded in grants

Councillors agreed to distribute $47,250 in funding as part of the Community Assistance Grants program. Some of the major projects and initiatives supported through the program include a new carpark for Meals On Wheels, a carnival for the Silver City Swim Club, Carols By Candlelight, and a YMCA domestic violence education program.

Renewed concerns for Menindee Lakes

Council will forward a submission to the NSW Department of Planning and Environment regarding the Draft Western Regional Water Strategy. The NSW Government has promised to establish a 195 gigalitre (GL) drought reserve in the Menindee Lakes system for critical human needs and to maintain Lower Darling flows. The primary concern is that the reserve level is based on 195GL of total water in the system, rather than 195GL of accessible water. Under the currently proposed reserve level, the lakes could hold 195GL in total, however it is unlikely that any of that amount would be able to be used as it will sit in inaccessible 'dead storage' areas of the Lakes system.

Delegates for Annual Conference

Council has voted to send Deputy Mayor Jim Hickey and Councillor Dave Gallagher to the Local Government NSW Annual Conference to be held in the Hunter Valley in October 2022.

Budget adopted

Council has adopted its budget for the 2022/23 financial year. Under the new budget, total rates across the city will go up by 2.3%, however the distribution of rates will change. Mines will contribute an extra 2% toward the rates total, whilst commercial businesses will contribute 1% less, and rates contributed by industrial area properties will revert to 2019/2020 levels. Residents will also now be granted an extra three vouchers to use the Waste Facility free of charge, and will have the ability to receive more vouchers should they exhaust their supply. Council is aiming to return to surplus in the 2023-24 financial year. The Budget and Long Term Financial Plan will be added to Council's website this week, and in the meantime can be found on pages 332 and 472 respectively of this month's business papers.

Support for new library

Council voted in favour of a $327,150 variation to the design tender for the new library. The variation will cover final architectural detailed designs, and provide ongoing architectural services during the construction process.

CONFIDENTIAL

New licence granted

Council issued a 12-month licence to Megan Cumming, for use of a small reserve Sturt Park with the purpose of ‘sporting and organised recreational activities’. The annual rent was set at the minimum Crown Lands rental of $535 per annum.