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Minutes of
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Ordinary
Council Meeting
Held on 25 February 2025
at 4:00 PM
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Attendance at Meeting:
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Councillors:
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Mayor R Bell (Chair)
Deputy
Mayor T O'Connor
Cr
S Burrows
Cr
L Doran
Cr
L Petrov
Cr
A Blakester
Cr
D Mailler
Cr
J Philp
Cr
K Arnold
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Apologies:
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Nil
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Staff:
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Ms T Averay, General Manager
Mr M Raby, Director, Infrastructure &
Development
Mr Blake Dyer, Acting Director, Corporate and
Community
Mr M Ahammed, Manager Finance & IT
Ms L Chalmers, Executive Support Officer
Mr S Vivers, Acting Manager Planning &
Development
Ms Emily Sims, Planning Officer – Strategic
Mr M McLindin, Group Manager Infrastructure Services
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Ordinary Council Meeting Minutes
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25 February 2025
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1 Opening
& Welcome
The Chair declared the meeting
opened at 4:00.
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
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COUNCILLOR
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ITEM OR REPORT NUMBER
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PECUNIARY OR NON-PECUNIARY INTEREST
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NATURE OF INTEREST
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O’Connor
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14.10
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Non-pecuniary significant interest – will not be
present for this item.
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Rotary Club of Uralla
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Mailler
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14.10
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Non-pecuniary less than significant – will not be
present for this item.
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Rotary Club of Uralla
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Doran
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14.10
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Non-pecuniary less than significant – will not be
present for this item.
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Rotary Club of Uralla and Rotary Art Show Committee.
Assisting with the Elders Olympics
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7 Confirmation
of Minutes
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7.1 Confirmation
of Minutes Ordinary Meeting held 17 December 2024
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Resolution 01.02/25
Moved: Cr
Sarah Burrows
Seconded: Cr Lone Petrov
That Council adopts the
minutes of the Ordinary Meeting held 17 December 2024 as a true and correct record.
For: Crs
Robert Bell, Sarah Burrows, Leanne Doran, Tom O'Connor, Lone Petrov, Adam
Blakester, David Mailler, Jen Philp and Kath Arnold
Against: Nil
carried
9/0
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8 Urgent,
supplementary, and late items of business (Including Petitions)
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8.1 EnergyCo
New England Renewable Energy Zone (REZ) Community Reference Group meeting 23
January 2025
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Resolution 02.02/25
Moved: Cr
Sarah Burrows
Seconded: Cr Kath Arnold
That Council receives the
Uralla Shire Council Delegate’s Report from the EnergyCo North Community Reference Group meeting of 23
January 2025.
For: Crs
Robert Bell, Sarah Burrows, Leanne Doran, Tom O'Connor, Lone Petrov, Adam
Blakester, David Mailler, Jen Philp and Kath Arnold
Against: Nil
carried
9/0
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9 Written
Reports from Delegates
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9.1 Mayor's
Activity Report for December 2024 & January 2025
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Resolution 03.02/25
Moved: Mayor
Robert Bell
Seconded: Deputy Mayor Tom O'Connor
That Council receives the
Mayor’s Activity report for December 2024 & January 2025.
For: Crs
Robert Bell, Sarah Burrows, Leanne Doran, Tom O'Connor, Lone Petrov, Adam
Blakester, David Mailler, Jen Philp and Kath Arnold
Against: Nil
carried
9/0
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10 Public
Forum
Public Forum held before item 14.3
11 Mayoral
Minute
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11.1 Mayoral
Minute - Uralla COMMUNITY Christmas Lunch 2024 at McCrossin's Mill
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Resolution 04.02/25
Moved: Cr
Jen Philp
Seconded: Cr Leanne Doran
That Council receives this
Mayoral Minute and congratulates the organisers and generous sponsors of the
inaugural Uralla Community Christmas Lunch.
For: Crs
Robert Bell, Sarah Burrows, Leanne Doran, Tom O'Connor, Lone Petrov, Adam
Blakester, David Mailler, Jen Philp and Kath Arnold
Against: Nil
carried
9/0
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11.2 Mayoral
Minute - Cost Shifting onto Local Government
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Resolution 05.02/25
Moved: Cr
Sarah Burrows
Seconded: Cr Leanne Doran
That Council
1. Receives and notes the findings of the LGNSW Cost
Shifting report for the 2021/2022 financial year.
2. Places a copy of the cost shifting report on
Council’s website so that our communities can access it.
3. Writes to the Premier, the NSW Treasurer and the NSW
Minister for Local Government seeking that
they urgently address these costs through a combination of regulatory reform,
budgetary provision, and appropriate funding.
For: Crs
Robert Bell, Sarah Burrows, Leanne Doran, Tom O'Connor, Lone Petrov, Adam Blakester,
David Mailler, Jen Philp and Kath Arnold
Against: Nil
carried
9/0
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12 Notice
of Motion/Questions with Notice
Nil
13 Report
of Committees
Nil
14 Reports
to Council
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14.1 Councillor
Representative Report - Bundarra Community Meeting 12 February 2025
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Resolution 06.02/25
Moved: Cr
Leanne Doran
Seconded: Cr Jen Philp
That Council notes the draft
notes with the following amendment:
Update the attendance list as
follows:
Apologies:
Max
Fitzgerald
Amy
Layton
Tania
Swan
Darren
Swan
Margie
Doak
Bill
Doak
Matthew
Monk
Councillors
Leanne
Doran
Jen
Philp
Adam
Blakester
Council
staff
Mick
Raby
Toni
Averay
Community
members:
John
Layton
Therese
Layton
Bec
McLean
Lindsay
Groth
Angela
Iskov
Ruth
Deaves -
Jennifer
Dezius
Jeffery
Dezius
Peter
Gregory
Trent
Gregory
Jackie
Stibbard
For: Crs
Robert Bell, Sarah Burrows, Leanne Doran, Tom O'Connor, Lone Petrov, Adam
Blakester, David Mailler, Jen Philp and Kath Arnold
Against: Nil
carried
9/0
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14.2 DA-44-2024
- Alterations and additons to existing building, extension of existing
carpark and associated work - 52 Hill Street Uralla
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Resolution 07.02/25
Moved: Deputy
Mayor Tom O'Connor
Seconded: Cr Jen Philp
A
DIVISION DECISION was called and all stood with the result recorded as below:
1. That
Council approves the Development Application (ref: DA-44-2024) for
Alterations and additions, extension of carpark and associated work at Lot A
DP759022, Lot 2 DP36806, Lot 1 DP368065 and Lots 4 – 6 DP 759022, land
known as 52 Hill Street URALLA, subject to the conditions of consent in the
attached Notice of Determination.
2. That Council notes the submission received in response to
notification of the Development Application.
3.
Direct the General Manager to:
a) add a relevant condition to ensure pedestrian
safety during construction; and
b) revise
condition 15 to encourage planting of appropriate native vegetation.
For: Crs
Robert Bell, Sarah Burrows, Leanne Doran, Tom O'Connor, Lone Petrov, Adam
Blakester, David Mailler, Jen Philp and Kath Arnold
Against: Nil
carried
9/0
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Motion
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Resolution 08.02/25
Moved: Cr
Kath Arnold
Seconded: Cr Lone Petrov
That Council accept speakers
on Item 14.3 Keeping of Animals & Birds Policy.
For: Crs
Robert Bell, Sarah Burrows, Leanne Doran, Tom O'Connor, Lone Petrov, Adam
Blakester, David Mailler, Jen Philp and Kath Arnold
Against: Nil
carried
9/0
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Public Forum:
The chair introduced the speakers – Dr Carolyn Sonter
and Allan Thomas.
The speakers made a presentation to Council on item 14.3
speaking to an amendment to the beekeeping component of the Keeping of Animals
& Birds Policy.
The Chair invited questions from Councillors.
The Chair thanked the Speakers for their presentations to
Council
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14.3 Keeping
of Animals & Birds Policy (Report following Second Exhibition)
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Resolution 09.02/25
Moved: Cr
Leanne Doran
Seconded: Cr Jen Philp
That Council:
1. Notes the submissions received in response to
consultation; and
2. Adopts the
revised Policy - Keeping of Animals Policy (Urban Areas) (2024) with the
following amendment:
a) amend the
provisions relating to beekeeping to align with the DPI provisions.
For: Crs
Robert Bell, Sarah Burrows, Leanne Doran, Tom O'Connor, Lone Petrov, Adam
Blakester, David Mailler, Jen Philp and Kath Arnold
Against: Nil
carried
9/0
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14.4 Striking
a New Deal (SaND) Community engagement Project Plan
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Resolution 10.02/25
Moved: Deputy
Mayor Tom O'Connor
Seconded: Cr Sarah Burrows
That Council notes the advice in this report, receives
the Striking a New Deal (SAND) Project Plan and holds a Councillors’ workshop
to further refine the project plan.
For: Crs
Robert Bell, Sarah Burrows, Leanne Doran, Tom O'Connor, Lone Petrov, Adam
Blakester, David Mailler, Jen Philp and Kath Arnold
Against: Nil
carried
9/0
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14.5 Draft
Local Housing Strategy
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Motion
Moved: Deputy
Mayor Tom O'Connor
That Council:
1.
Endorses the Draft Uralla Local
Housing Strategy for Public Exhibition for a period of 56 days.
2.
Receives a further report following
the public exhibition period subject to the receipt of submissions and/or if
any amendments are proposed.
3.
Adopts the Draft Uralla Local Housing
Strategy if no submissions are received, and/or no substantive changes are
proposed.
Motion lapsed.
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Resolution 11.02/25
Moved: Cr
Leanne Doran
Seconded: Cr Sarah Burrows
That
Council receives the draft Uralla Local Housing Strategy for:
·
Public Exhibition for a period of
56 days;
·
Community engagement; and
·
Councillor and Key Stakeholder workshop(s).
For: Crs
Robert Bell, Sarah Burrows, Leanne Doran, Tom O'Connor, Lone Petrov, David
Mailler, Jen Philp and Kath Arnold
Against: Cr
Adam Blakester
carried
8/1
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14.6 Community
Engagement Strategy - Response to submissions
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Resolution 12.02/25
Moved: Cr
David Mailler
Seconded: Cr Sarah Burrows
That Council:
1. Notes submissions received in response to consultation;
and,
2. Adopts the revised Community Engagement Strategy.
For: Crs
Robert Bell, Sarah Burrows, Leanne Doran, Tom O'Connor, Lone Petrov, Adam
Blakester, David Mailler, Jen Philp and Kath Arnold
Against: Nil
carried
9/0
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Procedural Motion - Break
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Resolution 13.02/25
Moved: Cr
Leanne Doran
Seconded: Cr Kath Arnold
The Chair called for a short
break at 5:54.
For: Crs
Robert Bell, Sarah Burrows, Leanne Doran, Tom O'Connor, Lone Petrov, Adam
Blakester, David Mailler, Jen Philp and Kath Arnold
Against: Nil
carried
9/0
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Procedural
Motion - Return
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Resolution 14.02/25
Moved: Cr
Leanne Doran
Seconded: Cr Kath Arnold
The Chair reconvened the
meeting after a short break at 6:15.
For: Crs
Robert Bell, Sarah Burrows, Leanne Doran, Tom O'Connor, Lone Petrov, Adam
Blakester, David Mailler, Jen Philp and Kath Arnold
Against: Nil
carried
9/0
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14.7 Plans
of Management for Council managed Crown Lands (CLM)
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Resolution 15.02/25
Moved: Cr
Sarah Burrows
Seconded: Cr David Mailler
That Council notes this
update on the preparation of Plans of Management for Crown Lands managed by
Council.
For: Crs
Robert Bell, Sarah Burrows, Leanne Doran, Tom O'Connor, Lone Petrov, Adam
Blakester, David Mailler, Jen Philp and Kath Arnold
Against: Nil
carried
9/0
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14.8 Introduction
of a Declared Dams Safety LevY
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Resolution 16.02/25
Moved: Deputy
Mayor Tom O'Connor
Seconded: Cr Sarah Burrows
That
Council
1. Notes
the anticipated $10,588 (plus annual indexation) dam levy imposed by Dam
Safety NSW, based on the current ‘Significant’ consequence rating
of Kentucky Creek Dam;
2. Incorporates
the expected cost into annual budget preparation of the annual water
charge with an adjusted annual Consumer Price Index allowance commencing in
March 2025; and
3. Notes
that the impact on Council’s current draft Long Term Financial Plan
considerations is an additional $10,588 (plus indexation) annual levy from 1
July 2025, which equates to an additional $6.46 (plus indexation) per
connected household per annum.
For: Crs
Robert Bell, Sarah Burrows, Leanne Doran, Tom O'Connor, Lone Petrov, Adam
Blakester, David Mailler, Jen Philp and Kath Arnold
Against: Nil
carried
9/0
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14.9 Summary
of Future Grants
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Resolution 17.02/25
Moved: Cr
Adam Blakester
Seconded: Cr Leanne Doran
That Council notes this list
for Information Only and further discussion if warranted.
For: Crs
Robert Bell, Sarah Burrows, Leanne Doran, Tom O'Connor, Lone Petrov, Adam
Blakester, David Mailler, Jen Philp and Kath Arnold
Against: Nil
carried
9/0
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At 7:03pm Cr O’Connor, Cr
Doran and Cr Mailler left the meeting having declared interests.
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14.10 Community
Donations
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Resolution 18.02/25
Moved: Cr
Sarah Burrows
Seconded: Cr Adam Blakester
That Council reallocates the
funding of $3,000 set aside for the Lanterns Festival as resolved in the June
2024 Ordinary Meeting as follows:
a) $1000 to the Uralla Rotary Arts Show;
b) $1000 to the Lanterns Festival; and
c) $1000 to the Anaiwan Elders Group.
For: Crs
Robert Bell, Sarah Burrows, Lone Petrov, Adam Blakester, Jen Philp and Kath
Arnold
Against: Nil
carried
6/0
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At 7:07pm Cr O’Connor, Cr
Doran and Cr Mailler returned to the meeting.
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14.11 Revised
Debt Recovery Update
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Resolution 19.02/25
Moved: Cr
Adam Blakester
Seconded: Cr Leanne Doran
That Council notes the report
regarding the recovery of rates in arrears.
For: Crs
Robert Bell, Sarah Burrows, Leanne Doran, Tom O'Connor, Lone Petrov, Adam
Blakester, David Mailler, Jen Philp and Kath Arnold
Against: Nil
carried
9/0
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14.12 Debt
Recovery Policy Review and Hardship Policy Review
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Resolution 20.02/25
Moved: Cr
Adam Blakester
Seconded: Cr Lone Petrov
That Council:
1. Endorses
the revised Debt Recovery Policy and revised Hardship Policy for public exhibition
for 28 days.
2. Receives
a further report on completion of the exhibition period should any
submissions be received and/or changes proposed.
3. Adopts
the revised Policies should no submissions be received or changes proposed.
For: Crs
Robert Bell, Sarah Burrows, Leanne Doran, Tom O'Connor, Lone Petrov, Adam
Blakester, David Mailler, Jen Philp and Kath Arnold
Against: Nil
carried
9/0
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14.13 Policy
on Policy Making
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Resolution 21.02/25
Moved: Cr
Sarah Burrows
Seconded: Cr Adam Blakester
That Council:
1. Receives the Policy on Policy Making and places on public
exhibition for 28 days.
2. Receives
a further report on completion of the exhibition period.
For: Crs
Robert Bell, Sarah Burrows, Leanne Doran, Tom O'Connor, Lone Petrov, Adam
Blakester, David Mailler, Jen Philp and Kath Arnold
Against: Nil
carried
9/0
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14.14 Quarterly
Budget Review December 2024-25 (QBRS)
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Resolution 22.02/25
Moved: Cr
David Mailler
Seconded: Deputy Mayor Tom O'Connor
That Council:
1. Receives and notes the second quarter budget review
summary for the 2024/25 financial year; and
2. Adopts the adjustments to budget allocations
For: Crs
Robert Bell, Sarah Burrows, Leanne Doran, Tom O'Connor, Lone Petrov, Adam
Blakester, David Mailler, Jen Philp and Kath Arnold
Against: Nil
carried
9/0
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14.15 Loans
as at 31 January 2025
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Resolution 23.02/25
Moved: Cr
David Mailler
Seconded: Deputy Mayor Tom O'Connor
That Council notes that the
total loan position as of 31 January 2025 is $1,232,830.
For: Crs
Robert Bell, Sarah Burrows, Leanne Doran, Tom O'Connor, Lone Petrov, Adam
Blakester, David Mailler, Jen Philp and Kath Arnold
Against: Nil
carried
9/0
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14.16 Investments
as at 31 January 2025
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Resolution 24.02/25
Moved: Cr
Adam Blakester
Seconded: Cr Lone Petrov
That Council notes the cash
position as of 31 January 2025 consisting of:
· cash and overnight funds of $3,423,367;
· term deposits of $24,350,000;
· total convertible funds of $27,773,367 ($3,423,367 +
$24,350,000) (including restricted funds).
For: Crs
Robert Bell, Sarah Burrows, Leanne Doran, Tom O'Connor, Lone Petrov, Adam
Blakester, David Mailler, Jen Philp and Kath Arnold
Against: Nil
carried
9/0
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14.17 Register
Resolutions Actions Status as at 19 February 2025
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Resolution 25.02/25
Moved: Cr
Adam Blakester
Seconded: Cr Sarah Burrows
That Council notes the
Resolution Actions Status Report as at 19 February 2025.
For: Crs
Robert Bell, Sarah Burrows, Leanne Doran, Tom O'Connor, Lone Petrov, Adam
Blakester, David Mailler, Jen Philp and Kath Arnold
Against: Nil
carried
9/0
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15 Confidential
Matters
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Resolution 26.02/25
Moved: Deputy
Mayor Tom O'Connor
Seconded: Cr Leanne Doran
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:
15.1 Grace
Munro Options
This matter is considered to
be confidential under Section 10A(2) - d(i) 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.
For: Crs
Robert Bell, Sarah Burrows, Leanne Doran, Tom O'Connor, Lone Petrov, Adam
Blakester, David Mailler, Jen Philp and Kath Arnold
Against: Nil
carried
9/0
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Resolution 27.02/25
Moved: Deputy
Mayor Tom O'Connor
Seconded: Cr Sarah Burrows
That Council return to Open
Session of Council.
For: Crs
Robert Bell, Sarah Burrows, Leanne Doran, Tom O'Connor, Lone Petrov, Adam
Blakester, David Mailler, Jen Philp and Kath Arnold
Against: Nil
carried
9/0
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16 Communications
of Council Decisions
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Resolution 28.02/25
Moved: Cr
Kath Arnold
Seconded: Cr David Mailler
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, Lone Petrov, Adam
Blakester, David Mailler, Jen Philp and Kath Arnold
Against: Nil
carried
9/0
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The Chair communicated the Council
decisions from the closed session.
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16.1 Grace
Munro Options
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Resolution 29.02/25
Moved: Cr
David Mailler
Seconded: Cr Jen Philp
That Council:
1. Directs
the General Manager to negotiate and enter into a short-term lease of less
than 5 years with Grace Munro Aged Care Centre Ltd generally in the terms
recommended in Option 2 of this confidential report, in accordance
with the requirements of the Local Government Act 1993.
2. Prepares
a draft plan of management for the land and places that draft plan of
management on public exhibition for adoption.
3. Proceeds
with negotiating a longer-term lease with Grace Munro Aged Care Centre Ltd
once a plan of management has been adopted for the land and subject to the
requirements of the Local Government Act 1993.
For: Crs
Robert Bell, Sarah Burrows, Leanne Doran, Tom O'Connor, Lone Petrov, Adam
Blakester, David Mailler, Jen Philp and Kath Arnold
Against: Nil
carried
9/0
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17 Conclusion
of Meeting
The meeting was closed at 8:40pm.
