|
|
|
Minutes of
|
|
Ordinary
Council Meeting
Held on 24 March 2026 at
4:00 PM
|
|
Attendance at Meeting:
|
|
Councillors:
|
Mayor R Bell (Chair)
Deputy
Mayor K Arnold
Cr
S Burrows
Cr
L Doran
Cr
T O'Connor
Cr
A Blakester
Cr
D Mailler
Cr
J Philp
|
|
Apologies:
|
Nil
|
|
Staff:
|
Ms T Averay, General Manager
Mr M Raby, Deputy General Manager
Mr M McLindin, Group Manager Infrastructure Services
Mr B Dyer, Group Manager Community Services
Mr S Williams, Group Manager Corporate Services
Ms H Nicholls, Acting Manager Planning &
Development
Mr D Weiley, Manager Assets
Ms E Sims, Strategic Planning Officer
Mr M Ahammed, Chief Financial Officer
Ms W Westbrook, Executive Assistant
|
|
Ordinary Council Meeting Minutes
|
24 March 2026
|
1 Opening
& Welcome
The Chair
declared the meeting opened at 4:00pm.
2 Prayer
The Chair recited the Uralla
Shire Council prayer.
3 Acknowledgement
of Country
The Chair read the
acknowledgement of country.
4 Webcast
Information
The Chair advised the meeting
was recorded, with the recording to be made available on Council’s
website following the meeting and reminded the attendees from making defamatory
statements.
5 Apologies
& Applications for Leave of Absence by Councillors
Nil
6 Disclosure
& Declarations of Interest/s
The Chair advised
there were no disclosures.
7 Confirmation
of Minutes
|
7.1 Confirmation
of Minutes Ordinary Meeting held 24 February 2026
|
|
Resolution 30.03/26
Moved: Cr
Sarah Burrows
Seconded: Cr Jen Philp
That Council adopts the
minutes of the Ordinary Meeting held 24 February 2026 as a true and correct record amending
the resolution number for Item 15 Communication of Council Decisions to be
30.02/26.
For: Crs
Robert Bell, Sarah Burrows, Tom O'Connor, Adam Blakester, David Mailler, Jen
Philp and Kath Arnold
Against: Cr
Leanne Doran
carried
7/1
|
8 Urgent,
supplementary, and late items of business (Including Petitions)
The Chair advised there were no late, urgent and supplementary
items or reports of business.
9 Written
Reports from Delegates
|
9.1 Mayor's
Activity Report for February 2026
|
|
Resolution 31.03/26
Moved: Cr
Sarah Burrows
Seconded: Cr David Mailler
That Council receives the
Mayor’s Activity Report for February 2026.
For: Crs
Robert Bell, Sarah Burrows, Leanne Doran, Tom O'Connor, Adam Blakester, David
Mailler, Jen Philp and Kath Arnold
Against: Nil
carried
8/0
|
10 Mayoral
Minute
|
10.1 Mayoral
Minute - Northern Tablelands Regional Organisation of Councils
|
|
Resolution 32.03/26
Moved: Cr
Tom O'Connor
Seconded: Cr David Mailler
That Council:
1. Notes
the formation of the Northern Tablelands Regional Organisation of Councils
(NTROC) and the proposed approach to administration and governance.
2. Endorses
Uralla Shire Council membership of the NTROC.
3. Writes
to the Minister for Local Government to
confirm that Council wishes to withdraw from the previous New England Joint
Organisation and seeks to have it wound up.
4. Notes
that further investigations will be undertaken in regard to accessing the
funds of the former New England Joint Organisation.
For: Crs
Robert Bell, Sarah Burrows, Leanne Doran, Tom O'Connor, David Mailler, Jen
Philp and Kath Arnold
Against: Cr
Adam Blakester
carried
7/1
|
11 Notice
of Motion/Questions with Notice
Nil
12 Report
of Committees
|
12.1 Minutes
Audit Risk and Improvement Committee (ARIC) meeting held on 2 March 2026.
|
|
Resolution 33.03/26
Moved: Cr
Adam Blakester
Seconded: Deputy Mayor Kath Arnold
That Council receives and notes the minutes of the ARIC
meeting 2 March 2026.
For: Crs
Robert Bell, Sarah Burrows, Leanne Doran, Tom O'Connor, Adam Blakester, David
Mailler, Jen Philp and Kath Arnold
Against: Nil
carried
8/0
|
|
12.2 Bundarra
Community Committee - Draft Minutes of Meeting held 11 February 2026
|
|
Resolution 34.03/26
Moved: Cr
Jen Philp
Seconded: Cr Sarah Burrows
That
Council receives the Draft Minutes of the Bundarra Community Committee
Meeting held 11 February 2026.
For: Crs
Robert Bell, Sarah Burrows, Leanne Doran, Tom O'Connor, Adam Blakester, David
Mailler, Jen Philp and Kath Arnold
Against: Nil
carried
8/0
|
|
12.3 Uralla
Local Transport Forum (ULTF) - Minutes of Meeting held 11 February 2026
|
|
Resolution 35.03/26
Moved: Cr
Sarah Burrows
Seconded: Cr David Mailler
That
Council receives the Minutes of the Uralla Local Transport Forum (ULTF)
meeting held on 11 February 2026 and notes the decisions of the Forum.
For: Crs
Robert Bell, Sarah Burrows, Leanne Doran, Tom O'Connor, Adam Blakester, David
Mailler, Jen Philp and Kath Arnold
Against: Nil
carried
8/0
|
13 Reports
to Council
|
13.1 Modification
of proposed staged subdivision - Lot 1 DP 1323513 - 131 Barleyfields Road,
Uralla
|
|
Resolution 36.03/26
Moved: Cr
Tom O'Connor
Seconded: Cr Leanne Doran
A DIVISION DECISION was
called and resolved as follows:
That
Council approve the modified Notice of Consent for DA-462-2007-4 as per the
attached amended Notice of Determination, noting amendments to the numbering
of the conditions of consent to correctly reflect the existing 101 conditions.
For: Crs
Robert Bell, Sarah Burrows, Leanne Doran, Tom O'Connor, Adam Blakester, David
Mailler, Jen Philp and Kath Arnold
Against: Nil
carried
8/0
|
|
13.2 Development
Application - DA-61-2025 - 5 Hill Street URALLA - Alteration and Additions to
Existing Centre Based Childcare Facility
|
|
Resolution 37.03/26
Moved: Cr
Adam Blakester
Seconded: Cr David Mailler
A DIVISION DECISION was
called and resolved as follows:
That
Council:
1. Waives the application of a section 7.12 development
contribution charge for DA-61-2025 as the development is located on council
owned land, and
2. Approves the Development Application (ref: DA-61-2025)
for alterations and additions to a centre-based childcare facility upon Lot
25 DP 1129476 and Lot 4 Section 26 DP 759022, being land known as 5 Hill
Street, Uralla, subject to the conditions of consent in the attached Notice
of Determination.
For: Crs
Robert Bell, Sarah Burrows, Leanne Doran, Adam Blakester, David Mailler, Jen
Philp and Kath Arnold
Against: Cr
Tom O'Connor
carried
7/1
|
|
13.3 Draft
Asset Management Plan - Plant and Equipment
|
|
Resolution 38.03/26
Moved: Cr
Sarah Burrows
Seconded: Cr Tom O'Connor
That Council:
1. Endorses the draft Plant and Equipment Asset Management
Plan for public exhibition for a period of 28 days for the purpose of seeking
community feedback.
2. Receives a further report after the completion of the
exhibition period should any submissions be received prompting material
change.
3. Adopts the draft Plant & Equipment Asset Management
Plan should no submissions prompting material change be received.
For: Crs
Robert Bell, Sarah Burrows, Leanne Doran, Tom O'Connor, Adam Blakester, David
Mailler, Jen Philp and Kath Arnold
Against: Nil
carried
8/0
|
|
13.4 Major
Projects and Capital Works - Infrastructure & Development
|
|
Resolution 39.03/26
Moved: Cr
Leanne Doran
Seconded: Cr Sarah Burrows
1. Notes the Infrastructure Works Update as at February
2026; and
2. Notes that a number of projects have been identified as
high risk due to external market constraints and funding delivery timeframes,
with mitigation strategies actively being implemented.
For: Crs
Robert Bell, Sarah Burrows, Leanne Doran, Tom O'Connor, Adam Blakester, David
Mailler, Jen Philp and Kath Arnold
Against: Nil
carried 8/0
|
|
13.5 Three
Site Specific Crown Land Plans of Management
|
|
Resolution 40.03/26
Moved: Mayor
Robert Bell
Seconded: Cr David Mailler
That
Council lay the matter on the table to return to the April Ordinary Meeting.
For: Crs
Robert Bell, Sarah Burrows, Leanne Doran, Adam Blakester, David Mailler, Jen
Philp and Kath Arnold
Against: Cr
Tom O'Connor
carried
7/1
|
|
13.6 State
of Environment Report 2022-2025
|
|
Resolution 41.03/26
Moved: Cr
Sarah Burrows
Seconded: Cr David Mailler
That Council :
1. Receives
the draft State of the Environment Report 2022–2025.
2. Places
the draft report on public exhibition for a period of 28 days.
3. Receives
a further report following the exhibition period should submissions be
received.
4. Authorises
the General Manager to finalise the report for publication should no
submissions requiring amendment be received.
For: Crs
Robert Bell, Sarah Burrows, Leanne Doran, Tom O'Connor, Adam Blakester, David
Mailler, Jen Philp and Kath Arnold
Against: Nil
carried
8/0
|
|
Procedural
Motion - Break
|
|
Resolution 42.03/26
Moved: Cr
Leanne Doran
Seconded: Cr David Mailler
The Chair called for a short
break at 5.58pm.
For: Crs
Robert Bell, Sarah Burrows, Leanne Doran, Tom O'Connor, Adam Blakester, David
Mailler, Jen Philp and Kath Arnold
Against: Nil
carried
8/0
|
|
Procedural
Motion - Return
|
|
Resolution 43.03/26
Moved: Cr
Leanne Doran
Seconded: Cr Jen Philp
The Chair reconvened the
meeting after a short break at 6.24pm.
For: Crs
Robert Bell, Sarah Burrows, Leanne Doran, Tom O'Connor, Adam Blakester, David
Mailler, Jen Philp and Kath Arnold
Against: Nil
carried
8/0
|
|
13.7 Draft
Renewable Energy Action Plan
|
|
Resolution 44.03/26
Moved: Cr
David Mailler
Seconded: Cr Sarah Burrows
That Council:
1. Endorses
the Draft Uralla Renewable Energy Action Plan for public exhibition for a
period of 28 days.
2. Receives
a future report following the exhibition period summarising submissions and
recommending any final amendments prior to adoption.
For: Crs
Robert Bell, Sarah Burrows, Leanne Doran, Tom O'Connor, Adam Blakester, David
Mailler, Jen Philp and Kath Arnold
Against: Nil
carried
8/0
|
|
13.8 Loans
as at 28 February 2026
|
|
Resolution 45.03/26
Moved: Cr
Adam Blakester
Seconded: Cr Sarah Burrows
That Council notes that the
total loan position as of 28 February 2026 is $1,062,780.
For: Crs
Robert Bell, Sarah Burrows, Leanne Doran, Tom O'Connor, Adam Blakester, David
Mailler, Jen Philp and Kath Arnold
Against: Nil
carried
8/0
|
|
13.9 Investments
as at 28 February 2026
|
|
Resolution 46.03/26
Moved: Cr
Adam Blakester
Seconded: Cr Tom O'Connor
That Council notes:
1. The
cash position as of 28 February 2026 consisting of:
· cash and overnight funds of $4,038,513
· term deposits of $21,000,000; and
· total
of cash and term deposits amount to $25,038,513 as of 28 February 2026.
2. Restrictions are reconciled on a quarterly basis. As of
31 December 2025, total cash and investments were $24,003,827 comprising $
17,906,150 in external restrictions and $ 4,985,028 in internal restrictions,
leaving an unrestricted balance $ 1,112,649. This compares to an unrestricted
cash balance of $ 2,644,164 as of 30 September 2025.
For: Crs
Robert Bell, Sarah Burrows, Leanne Doran, Tom O'Connor, Adam Blakester, David
Mailler, Jen Philp and Kath Arnold
Against: Nil
carried
8/0
|
|
13.10 Monthly
Finance Report for February 2026
|
|
Resolution 47.03/26
Moved: Cr
Tom O'Connor
Seconded: Cr Sarah Burrows
That Council receives the
attached Monthly Finance Report for February 2026.
For: Crs
Robert Bell, Sarah Burrows, Leanne Doran, Tom O'Connor, Adam Blakester, David
Mailler, Jen Philp and Kath Arnold
Against: Nil
carried
8/0
|
|
13.11 Register
Resolutions Actions Status as at 18 March 2026
|
|
Resolution 48.03/26
Moved: Cr
Leanne Doran
Seconded: Cr David Mailler
That Council notes the
Resolution Actions Status Report as at 18 March 2026.
For: Crs
Robert Bell, Sarah Burrows, Leanne Doran, Tom O'Connor, Adam Blakester, David
Mailler, Jen Philp and Kath Arnold
Against: Nil
carried
8/0
|
14 Confidential
Matters
|
Resolution 49.03/26
Moved: Cr
Tom O'Connor
Seconded: Cr Jen Philp
That Council considers the
confidential report(s) listed below in a meeting closed to the public in
accordance with Section 10A(2) of the Local Government Act 1993:
14.1 Provision
of General Insurance
This matter is considered to
be confidential under Section 10A(2) - d(i) and d(ii) of the Local
Government Act 1993, and the Council is satisfied that discussion of this
matter in an open meeting would, on balance, be contrary to the public interest
as it deals with commercial information of a confidential nature that would,
if disclosed prejudice the commercial position of the person who supplied it
and information that would, if disclosed, confer a commercial advantage on a
competitor of the council.
For: Crs
Robert Bell, Sarah Burrows, Leanne Doran, Tom O'Connor, Adam Blakester, David
Mailler, Jen Philp and Kath Arnold
Against: Nil
carried
8/0
|
|
Resolution 51.03/26
Moved: Cr
Tom O'Connor
Seconded: Cr Jen Philp
That Council return to Open
Session of Council and that resolutions of Closed Session of Council become
the resolutions of Open session of Council.
For: Crs
Robert Bell, Sarah Burrows, Leanne Doran, Tom O'Connor, Adam Blakester, David
Mailler, Jen Philp and Kath Arnold
Against: Nil
carried
8/0
|
15 Communications
of Council Decisions
The Chair communicated the
Council decisions from the closed session.
|
14.1 Provision
of General Insurance
|
|
Resolution 50.03/26
Moved: Cr
Tom O'Connor
Seconded: Cr Sarah Burrows
That Council accepts the
proposal from CivicRisk Mutual and proceeds to:
a. Become a Council Member of the CivicRisk Mutual; and
b. Obtain insurance coverage through CivicRisk Mutual,
commencing from the 2026/2027 financial year.
For: Crs
Robert Bell, Sarah Burrows, Leanne Doran, Tom O'Connor, Adam Blakester, David
Mailler, Jen Philp and Kath Arnold
Against: Nil
carried
8/0
|
16 Conclusion
of Meeting
The meeting was closed at 7:17pm.
