Late Reports Agenda of Ordinary Council Meeting

Ordinary Council Meeting Agenda

8 December 2020

8 General Manager’s Report

9 Facilities

8.9.1 Proposed Projects for Local Roads Community Infrastructure Program

DOCUMENT NUMBER

340515

REPORTING OFFICER

Andrew Brock, Manager Facilities

AUTHORISING OFFICER

Phillip McMurray, General Manager

RELEVANCE TO COMMUNITY STRATEGIC PLAN

3. Sustainable natural and built environments: we connect with the places and spaces around us

3.2 Our built environments support and enhance liveability

FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS

There are no Financial implications associated with this report.

LEGISLATIVE IMPLICATIONS

There are no Legislative implications associated with this report.

POLICY IMPLICATIONS

There are no Policy implications associated with this report.

ATTACHMENTS

Nil

Recommendation

The Proposed Gundagai Area projects as listed in the table contained in the report, be approved for application in the Local Roads and Community Infrastructure (LRCI) program - Extension

Introduction

Council received advice in November, 2020 that the Federal Government would be extending the Local Roads and Community Infrastructure (LRCI) Program to include a further $952,000 funding proposed to be spent in the Gundagai areas. Based on the previous program, the funding was split 50/50 between Cootamundra-Gundagai areas.

Discussion

The first round of the LRCI program was considered at the Ordinary Meeting held 28^th July, 2020.

Proposed Gundagai Projects are detailed below. While there are other projects worthy of consideration, these are the projects that have been prioritised under this funding agreement.

Based on project criteria, it is believed these projects meet that criteria, however each project will have to be submitted individually for approval from the Department Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications.

Sheridan Street Construction-Final Section

Council is currently designing and estimating the construction costs to complete block 4 of the Sheridan Street upgrade. Consequently, it has been determined that additional funds are required to complete the main street upgrade works. The proposal is to fund additional pavement construction, services relocation and further landscaping work. Council recently secured $500,000 from the Federal Drought Communities Programme 2020 to undertake further works, however investigations discovered that there are significant service relocation works to be undertaken as well as footpath re-construction to meet current access standards. The additional works have been estimated at $100,000.

Main Street Artwork – Sheridan Street

In keeping with the existing sculpture and Art works for Sheridan Street, funds are being sought to complete 2 murals in discussions with the Gundagai Tourist Action Group s355 Committee. This would be in conjunction with the final stages of main street upgrade. Funding of $20,000 is being sought for the project.

Carberry Park Shade Structures

The success of Gundagai’s Adventure Playground, funded through a previous Stronger County Communities Fund program, and has been received favourably by travellers and local townspeople alike. A significant issue raised by users of the playground is the lack of shade to parts of the playground equipment. This issue was also determined by staff late 2019 when, due to extreme seasonal temperatures the playground equipment was unable to be used safely during most parts of the day due to Workplace Health and Safety issues identified at the playground. Staff have worked closely with contractors to design a system which will give sun protection to the majority of the playground allowing full usage all year round. Funding of $70,000 is being sought for the proposed project.

Palmer Park Shade Sail

Recently, major upgrade works were undertaken at Palmer Park. As the sub-division is attracting more families to the area, it has been identified that a shade structure over the playground would protect young children from the hot seasonal sun and also help protect the new rubber soft fall installed. Staff have been actively improving local parks by installing seating, water bubblers and landscaping. The installation of a shade structure to Palmer Park would improve the safety of its users. Funding amount sought for this project is $30,000.

Lindley Park House Removal and Carpark (South Gundagai)

Council installed a new playground within this area last year through the SCCF funding program. Staff have been applying for further funding to remove the existing house and create a carpark to make the site more accessible without any success to date.

This funding would allow the removal of existing house, clearance of the site, minor drainage works and the installation of a gravel carpark area, which will make the site safer to access for young children. Currently, visitors have to park on a busy road and walk along a rough track to access the playground. This creates a Workplace Health and Safety risk to Council. Funding of $120,000 is being sought for this project.

Sherwood Forest-Off Leash Dog Area Site Safety Concerns

Sherwood Forest on Landon Street Gundagai is dedicated as an off leash dog area. Staff have had to advise users of the site of regular falling tree limbs. The area consists of large Plain trees, which are full of borers and have a significant age about them. In windy conditions, staff remove fallen limbs from the footpath and the neighbouring hocky field. Incident reports have been submitted to Council on several occasions where there have been near misses to staff, members of the public and equipment at the area.

The proposal is to remove the dangerous trees to make the pathway and surrounding area safe, then design and install a user friendly dog park for the Gundagai community. The Gundagai Youth Council has been actively seeking additional funding to help improve the experience for dog users and have shown a keen interest in being part of the design team. The idea is to create a master plan of the site, so as to allow for further funding opportunities to continue in the development of the site. Funding of $136,000 is being sought for this project.

In summary, the table below identifies each project, and its amount, being applied for through the Federal Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications Local Roads and Community Infrastructure (LRCI) Program – Extension.

PROJECT	COST
Gundagai Main Street	$100,000
Gundagai Main Street Art Works	$20,000
Carberry Park Shade Sails	$70,000
Palmer Park Shade Sails	$30,000
Lindley Park Carpark and House removal	$120,000
Sherwood Forest-Dog Park	$136,000
Total	$476,000

The program supports local councils to deliver priority local road and community infrastructure projects by supporting jobs and the resilience of local economies to help communities bounce back from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Ordinary Council Meeting Agenda

8 December 2020

9 Motion of which Notice has been Given

9.3 Notice of Motion - Development of the Proposed Rail Trail Between Cootamundra and Tumblong - Late Report

DOCUMENT NUMBER	340600
REPORTING OFFICER	Dennis Palmer, Deputy Mayor
AUTHORISING OFFICER	Phillip McMurray, General Manager

The following Notice of Motion signed by Councillor Dennis Palmer (Deputy Mayor) was submitted on 7 December, 2020.

I hereby give notice of my intention to move the following motion at the Council meeting of Tuesday, 8 December, 2020:

Motion

That all activity related to the development of the proposed Rail Trail between Cootamundra and Tumblong be immediately ceased and the project be abandoned.

Note from Councillor

At the Ordinary Meeting held Tuesday, 28^th July, 2020 Council resolved (Min. no. 229/2020) the following:

That Council:

· Produce a submission to present to the NSW Government for development of the Cootamundra to Tumblong Rail Trail as a place making project, promoting tourism growth and economic stimulus, benefiting the whole local government area.

· Apply for $100,000 to be reallocated for project pre-planning from NCIF2, A Better Community Strategy Project funding through the Office of Local Government.

· Consider and address all legitimate concerns of adjoining landholders.

Since then Council has been inundated with approximately 150 objections to the development of the proposed Rail Trail.

At the Ordinary Meeting held Tuesday, 24^th November, 2020 Council resolved (Min. no. 336/2020)

That previous resolution 229/2020 regarding the proposed Rail Trail between Cootamundra and Tumblong be held in abeyance, until such time that:

1. A Community Engagement Strategy for the project is prepared and adopted by Council;

2. A detailed Cost Estimate is prepared for the project, including capital and ongoing maintenance costs, and forms part of any community consultation;

3. A report on the outcomes of community consultation is prepared and submitted to Council

I now propose that all activity in relation to all aspects of the development of the proposed Rail Trail between Cootamundra and Tumblong be ceased on the basis that:

· Council is not in a financial position to undertake the development and ongoing maintenance of a rail trail the length of the subject proposed Rail Trail.

· The future of Cootamundra-Gundagai Regional Council is not certain with the current investigation being undertaken by the Boundaries Commission on a potential demerger. Should the proposed demerger eventuate the Rail Trail would have to be funded by two individual Councils burdened with the financial and staff resource impacts of having to return the former Council’s to their pre-proclamation (12^th May, 2016) status. In such an environment there would also be insufficient staff and financial resources to progress the development of the proposed Rail Trail.

· There are still many unfinished major projects being undertaken by Council staff of which final costings are uncertain and undertaking a project of the magnitude of the Rail Trail prior to completing these unfinished projects would be irresponsible of Council.