The meeting opened at 5:30pm.

01       ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF COUNTRY

The Mayor opened the Meeting with an Acknowledgement of Country and welcomed all in attendance in the Chamber and viewing on line.

02       REMOTE ATTENDANCE AT MEETING

Nil

03       APOLOGIES

Nil

04       DISCLOSURES OF INTEREST

Councillor Maltman declared a Non-Pecuniary, Less Than Significant Interest in Item 9.01 - Illaroo Road Stormwater Redirection Project Community Engagement the reason being that Councillor Maltman attended a meeting on Saturday 5^th March to discuss with residents the Proposed Illaroo Road Stormwater Diversion Works, along with Mayor Pinson and Councillor Sheppard.

05.01     MAYORAL MINUTE - CORRESPONDENCE FRONM DEPUTY PREMIER - DEPARTMENT OF REGIONAL NSW

MOTION: 

MOVED: Pinson

That Council:

1.       Note the correspondence from Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW, The Hon Paul Toole MP.

2.       Seek a meeting with Gary Barnes, Secretary, Department of Regional NSW to discuss the needs of the Port Macquarie-Hastings community in detail.

AMENDMENT:

MOVED:  Intemann/Sheppard

That Council:

1.       Note the correspondence from Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW, The Hon Paul Toole MP.

2.       That Councillors be consulted regarding potential local project priorities to be raised in the meeting referred to in 3. below.

3.       Seek a meeting with Gary Barnes, Secretary, Department of Regional NSW to discuss the needs of the Port Macquarie-Hastings community in detail.

THE AMENDMENT WAS WITHDRAWN BY COUNCILLOR INTEMANN.

AMENDMENT:

MOVED: Pinson/Griffiths

That Council:

1.          Note the correspondence from Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW, The Hon Paul Toole MP.

2.          Seek a meeting with Gary Barnes, Secretary, Department of Regional NSW to discuss the needs of the Port Macquarie-Hastings community in detail.

3.          Note the NSW Government will be pursuing major projects across NSW and will rely on regional leaders to guide this investment.

4.          Workshop with Councillors, CEO, and Executive staff projects of strategic importance to be raised at the meeting with Gary Barnes, Secretary, Department of Regional NSW.

THE AMENDMENT WAS PUT AND CARRIED.

carried:      9/0

For:   Edwards, Griffiths, Intemann, Lipovac, Maltman, Pinson, Roberts, Sheppard and Slade

Against:       Nil

THE AMENDMENT THEN BECAME THE MOTION.

RESOLVED: Pinson/Griffiths

That Council:

1.          Note the correspondence from Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW, The Hon Paul Toole MP.

2.         Seek a meeting with Gary Barnes, Secretary, Department of Regional NSW to discuss the needs of the Port Macquarie-Hastings community in detail.

3.         Note the NSW Government will be pursuing major projects across NSW and will rely on regional leaders to guide this investment.

4.         Workshop with Councillors, CEO, and Executive staff projects of strategic importance to be raised at the meeting with Gary Barnes, Secretary, Department of Regional NSW.

carried:      9/0

For:   Edwards, Griffiths, Intemann, Lipovac, Maltman, Pinson, Roberts, Sheppard and Slade

Against:       Nil

06.01  Draft Community Strategic Plan

MOTION: 

MOVED: Griffiths/Roberts

That Council:

1.       Thank community members who provided feedback on the draft Community Strategic Plan Imagine2050 during the public exhibition period in 2021.

2.       Note that feedback received from the community during the public exhibition period showed strong support for the direction of Imagine2050.

3.       Note the amendments to the exhibited draft Community Strategic Plan Imagine2050 as a result of community feedback during the public exhibition period.

4.       Note the amendments to the exhibited draft Community Strategic Plan Imagine2050 as a result of changes to the Integrated Planning and Reporting (IP&R) Guidelines by the Office of Local Government (OLG).

5.       Note that it is a Local Government statutory requirement for NSW Councils to develop the Integrated Planning and Reporting (IPR) suite of documents (including the Community Strategic Plan), and for them to be endorsed by Council, by 30 June in the year following a Council election.

6.       Adopt Council’s Community Strategic Plan Imagine2050.

7.       Request the CEO replace reference to ‘Climate Change’ with ‘Sustainable Resource Management’.

PROCEDURAL MOTION:

RESOLVED: Roberts

That the motion be put.

carried:      6/3

For:   Griffiths, Intemann, Maltman, Pinson, Roberts and Slade

Against:       Edwards, Lipovac and Sheppard

THE MOTION WAS PUT AND CARRIED.

carried:      6/3

For:   Griffiths, Lipovac, Maltman, Pinson, Roberts and Slade

Against:       Edwards, Intemann and Sheppard

06.02  Draft Delivery Program 2022-2026, Draft Resourcing Strategy, Draft Operational Plan and Budget 2022-2023

MOTION:

MOVED:  Roberts/Pinson

That Council:

1.          Place the following Draft Integrated Planning and Reporting (IP&R) documents on public exhibition for a period of not less than 28 days:
(a) Draft Delivery Program 2022 - 2026
(b) Draft Resourcing Strategy 2022 - 2026, with the following components:
      i) Long Term Financial Plan
      ii) Workforce Management Strategy
      iii) Asset Management Strategy
(c) Draft Operational Plan 2022 - 2023
(d) Draft Fees and Charges 2022 - 2023
(e) Draft Revenue Policy 2022 - 2023
(f) Draft Rating Maps 2022- 2023.

2.          Note that as per the Council Resolution dated 16 February 2022 Item 09.09 Notice of Motion - Rate Freeze, the draft 2022 - 2023 Operational Plan has been prepared with Ordinary and Special Rates retained at the 2021 - 2022 level, and the draft Long Term Financial Plan has been prepared with Ordinary and Special Rates retained at the 2021 - 2022 level for the period 1 July 2022 to 30 June 2025 inclusive.

3.          Note that as per the Council Resolution dated 16 February 2022 Item 12.03 Notice of Motion - Town Centre Master Plan, the draft 2022 - 2023 Operational Plan (and the draft Long Term Financial Plan) have been prepared with the removal of the Town Centre Master Plan (TCMP) component from the Port Macquarie CBD business rate sub-category.

4.          For the reasons outlined in the body of the report, note that the Chief Executive Officer will prepare an Improvement Plan to address the general fund operating performance ratio over the coming years and will present a report to a future meeting of Council for consideration.

5.          Note that a further report will be tabled at the June 2022 meeting of Council detailing the submissions received from the public during the exhibition period.

6.          Note the additional funding for projects of strategic importance across the 2022-23 and 2023-24 financial years:
a)    Lorne Road $5M
b)    Footpath works $3.47M
c)    Bridges and Road Resealing Works of $5M
d)    Drainage Maintenance and Renewals $5M
e)    Parks and Recreation areas maintenance and renewals $2M
f)    Tree maintenance $600K

7.          Note the strategic use of Council Reserves to deliver additional works.

8.          Make provision in the final 2022 - 2026 Delivery Program, 2022 - 2023 Operational Plan and Budget a Contingency allocation of $20M from Reserves and or loan borrowings as appropriate for possible contribution to dollar-for-dollar or co-contribution funding opportunities for significant road, footpath/cycleway, water, sewer or water security projects of strategic importance, for use in collaboration with the State and or Commonwealth Governments, noting that any funds to be allocated, first be the subject of a Report to Council before commitment and or expenditure.

9.          Provide as part of the 2022 - 2023 Suite of Documents for approval at the June 2022 Ordinary Council Meeting, a detailed Program of Total Works for the financial year ahead.

AMENDMENT:

MOVED: Intemann/Edwards

That Council:

1.          Defer adopting for exhibition the proposed suite of IP&R documents including the 2022-2023 Operating Plan and Budget

2.          Request the CEO to present to the May Ordinary Council meeting:

a.       two optional budgets for exhibition, one with and one without the rate freeze;

b.       a revised consultation plan sufficient to ensure that the community is informed of the key differences between the two options in terms of rates payable by ratepayers, and expenditure implications in terms of projects to be foregone if the rate freeze applies; and

c.       an independent report on the implications of a rate freeze in the short, medium, and long term.

lost: 3/6

For:   Edwards, Intemann and Lipovac

Against:       Griffiths, Maltman, Pinson, Roberts, Sheppard and Slade

AMENDMENT:

MOVED: Sheppard/Lipovac

That Council:

1.          Place the following Draft Integrated Planning and Reporting (IP&R) documents on public exhibition for a period of not less than 28 days:

a.      Draft Delivery Program 2022 - 2026

b.      Draft Resourcing Strategy 2022 - 2026, with the following components:
i)     Long Term Financial Plan
ii)    Workforce Management Strategy

iii)   Asset Management Strategy

c.      Draft Operational Plan 2022 - 2023

d.       Draft Fees and Charges 2022 - 2023

e.      The Revised Draft Revenue Policy 2022 - 2023 noted in clause 7.

f.       Draft Rating Maps 2022- 2023.

2.          Note that as per the Council Resolution dated 16 February 2022 Item 09.09 Notice of Motion - Rate Freeze, the draft 2022 - 2023 Operational Plan has been prepared with Ordinary and Special Rates retained at the 2021 - 2022 level, and the draft Long Term Financial Plan has been prepared with Ordinary and Special Rates retained at the 2021 - 2022 level for the period 1 July 2022 to 30 June 2025 inclusive.

3.          Note the substantial negative impact of the proposed rate freeze on the long-term financial sustainability of Council, as outlined in this report.

4.          Note that due to time limitations, at this time there is no practical mechanism through which Council can provide a rating structure for the 22/23 financial year that does not include a rate freeze.

5.          Request that clause 4 be clearly communicated in community engagement activities, and that any community feedback regarding the rate freeze be considered in development of the 23/24 operational budget.

6.          Note that as per the Council Resolution dated 16 February 2022 Item 12.03 Notice of Motion - Town Centre Master Plan, the draft 2022 - 2023 Operational Plan (and the draft Long Term Financial Plan) have been prepared with the removal of the Town Centre Master Plan (TCMP) component from the Port Macquarie CBD business rate sub-category.

7.          noting the community feedback and substantial negative financial impacts regarding the TCMP rate removal, place on public exhibition for a period of not less than 28 days, a revised draft Revenue Policy 2022-2023 which includes two options for the Port Macquarie CBD business rate sub-category (i.e. including and excluding the TCMP component).

8.          For the reasons outlined in the body of the report, note that the Chief Executive Officer will prepare an Improvement Plan to address the general fund operating performance ratio over the coming years and will present a report to a future meeting of Council for consideration. Note that this will include reduction in services

9.          Note that a further report will be tabled at the June 2022 meeting of Council detailing the submissions received from the public during the exhibition period.

10.       Note the additional funding for projects of strategic importance across the 2022-23 and 2023-24 financial years:

a.    Lorne Road $5M

b.    Footpath works $3.47M

c.     Bridges and Road Resealing Works of $5M

d.    Drainage Maintenance and Renewals $5M

e.    Parks and Recreation areas maintenance and renewals $2M

f.      Tree maintenance $600K

11.       Note the strategic use of Council Reserves to deliver additional works.

12.       Make provision in the final 2022 - 2026 Delivery Program, 2022 - 2023 Operational Plan and Budget a Contingency allocation of $20M from Reserves and or loan borrowings as appropriate for possible contribution to dollar-for-dollar or co-contribution funding opportunities for significant road, footpath/cycleway, water, sewer or water security projects of strategic importance, for use in collaboration with the State and or Commonwealth Governments, noting that any funds to be allocated, first be the subject of a Report to Council before commitment and or expenditure.

PROCEDURAL MOTION:

RESOLVED: Roberts

That the motion be put.

carried:      5/4

For:   Griffiths, Maltman, Pinson, Roberts and Slade

Against:       Edwards, Intemann, Lipovac and Sheppard

THE AMENDMENT WAS PUT AND LOST

lost: 4/5

For:   Edwards, Intemann, Lipovac and Sheppard

Against:       Griffiths, Maltman, Pinson, Roberts and Slade

MOTION:

RESOLVED: Roberts/Pinson

That Council:

1.           Place the following Draft Integrated Planning and Reporting (IP&R) documents on public exhibition for a period of not less than 28 days:

a.    Draft Delivery Program 2022 - 2026

b.    Draft Resourcing Strategy 2022 - 2026, with the following components:
i)     Long Term Financial Plan
ii)    Workforce Management Strategy
iii)   Asset Management Strategy

c.     Draft Operational Plan 2022 - 2023

d.    Draft Fees and Charges 2022 - 2023

e.    Draft Revenue Policy 2022 - 2023

f.      Draft Rating Maps 2022- 2023.

2.          Note that as per the Council Resolution dated 16 February 2022 Item 09.09 Notice of Motion - Rate Freeze, the draft 2022 - 2023 Operational Plan has been prepared with Ordinary and Special Rates retained at the 2021 - 2022 level, and the draft Long Term Financial Plan has been prepared with Ordinary and Special Rates retained at the 2021 - 2022 level for the period 1 July 2022 to 30 June 2025 inclusive.

3.          Note that as per the Council Resolution dated 16 February 2022 Item 12.03 Notice of Motion - Town Centre Master Plan, the draft 2022 - 2023 Operational Plan (and the draft Long Term Financial Plan) have been prepared with the removal of the Town Centre Master Plan (TCMP) component from the Port Macquarie CBD business rate sub-category.

4.         For the reasons outlined in the body of the report, note that the Chief Executive Officer will prepare an Improvement Plan to address the general fund operating performance ratio over the coming years and will present a report to a future meeting of Council for consideration.

5.         Note that a further report will be tabled at the June 2022 meeting of Council detailing the submissions received from the public during the exhibition period.

6.         Note the additional funding for projects of strategic importance across the 2022-23 and 2023-24 financial years:

a.         Lorne Road $5M

b.         Footpath works $3.47M

c.         Bridges and Road Resealing Works of $5M

d.         Drainage Maintenance and Renewals $5M

e.         Parks and Recreation areas maintenance and renewals $2M

f.          Tree maintenance $600K

7.          Note the strategic use of Council Reserves to deliver additional works.

8.          Make provision in the final 2022 - 2026 Delivery Program, 2022 - 2023 Operational Plan and Budget a Contingency allocation of $20M from Reserves and or loan borrowings as appropriate for possible contribution to dollar-for-dollar or co-contribution funding opportunities for significant road, footpath/cycleway, water, sewer or water security projects of strategic importance, for use in collaboration with the State and or Commonwealth Governments, noting that any funds to be allocated, first be the subject of a Report to Council before commitment and or expenditure.

9.          Provide as part of the 2022 - 2023 Suite of Documents for approval at the June 2022 Ordinary Council Meeting, a detailed Program of Total Works for the financial year ahead.

carried:      6/3

For:   Griffiths, Lipovac, Maltman, Pinson, Roberts and Slade

Against:       Edwards, Intemann and Sheppard

09.01  Illaroo Road Stormwater Redirection Project Community Engagement

MOTION:

RESOLVED: Maltman/Slade

That Council:

1.         Note the findings of the Illaroo Road Stormwater Redirection Project Engagement and that the issue of the Illaroo Road Stormwater Redirection Project was also raised at the Illaroo Road Coastal Hazard Protection Options Review and Co Design Project Community Engagement session held on 27 April 2022.

2.         Note the revised cost estimates undertaken in late 2021 for the Illaroo Stormwater Redirection Project amounts to $1,929,000 if this project is to proceed.

3.         Request the Chief Executive Officer to submit a request for variation to NSW Department of Planning and Environment (DPE) to fund the shortfall in the current funding allocation under the Coastal and Estuary Implementation Grant. 

4.         Address the long-term erosion around the two stormwater outlets off Illaroo Road as a component of the Illaroo Road Coastal Hazard Protection Options Review and Co Design.

5.         Address the short-term erosion hazard around the southern stormwater outlet off Illaroo Road by using dredged material from lower Cathie Creek to nourish the shoreline around the outlet utilising the existing approved dredging Development Application.

6.         Undertake emergency works around the existing stormwater outlet should engineering advice determine if there is any imminent risk to Illaroo Road.

7.         Proceed to undertake the Asbestos Remediation Works to the extent that addresses immediate risk and within the available budget of $121,554 as noted in the report.

8.         Agree to waive the waste disposal fees (excluding the waste levy) associated with Asbestos Removal on the Illaroo Road embankment.

9.         Request the Chief Executive Officer to provide a report to a future meeting of Council on the stormwater issues in the immediate areas surrounding Illaroo Road, including but not limited to Aqua Crescent and Kywong Street.

carried:      9/0

For:   Edwards, Griffiths, Intemann, Lipovac, Maltman, Pinson, Roberts, Sheppard and Slade

Against:       Nil

The meeting closed at 6:59pm