|
Minutes Ordinary Council Meeting
Council Chambers, Gundagai
6:00PM, Tuesday 24th March, 2026
Administration Centres: 1300 459 689 |
|
Minutes Ordinary Council Meeting
Council Chambers, Gundagai
6:00PM, Tuesday 24th March, 2026
Administration Centres: 1300 459 689 |
|
Ordinary Council Meeting Minutes |
24 March 2026 |
MINUTES OF Cootamundra-Gundagai Regional Council
Ordinary Council
Meeting
HELD AT THE Council
Chambers, Gundagai
ON Tuesday, 24 March
2026 AT 6:00PM
PRESENT: Cr Abb McAlister (Mayor), Cr Rosalind Wight (Deputy Mayor), Cr Logan Collins, Cr Les Cooper, Cr David Graham, Cr Gil Kelly, Cr Penny Nicholson, Cr Danyal Syed
IN ATTENDANCE: Roger Bailey (Interim General Manager), Trevor Dando (Acting Deputy General Manager - Operations), Damian Smith (Acting Manager Finance), Linda Wiles (Manager Business), Teresa Breslin (Executive Assistant)
The Chairperson acknowledged the Wiradjuri people who are the Traditional Custodians of the Land at which the meeting was held and paid his respects to Elders, both past and present, of the Wiradjuri Nation and extended that respect to other Aboriginal people who were present.
2 Apologies, Leave of Absence, and AUDIO-VISUAL attendance requests
2.2 Leave of Absence
Nil
2.3 Audio-visual attendance requests
Nil
Nil
|
4.1 Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting of Council held on Tuesday 24 February 2026 |
|
Resolution 066/2026 Moved: Cr Gil Kelly Seconded: Cr Ethan Ryan That the Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting of Council held on Tuesday 24 February 2026 be confirmed as a true and correct record of the meeting. |
|
5.1 Mayoral Minute - Councillor Engagements - 17 February 2026 - 17 March 2026 |
|
Resolution 067/2026 Moved: Cr David Graham Seconded: Cr Penny Nicholson 1. The information in the Councillor Engagements Mayoral Minute be received and noted. 2. Council also note that the Mayor also attended 2 meetings with Steven Head in Cootamundra on 11th March 2026. |
|
6.1 Minutes of the Demerger Transition Committee Meeting held on Tuesday 24 February 2026 |
|
Resolution 068/2026 Moved: Cr Danyal Syed Seconded: Cr Les Cooper 1. That the Minutes of the Demerger Transition Committee Meeting held on Tuesday 24 February 2026, attached to the report, be received and noted. 2. In consideration of the Demerger Transition Committee recommendations detailed in the minutes, Council endorses the following: 2.1. Pertaining to Item 5.1.2 Formal Approval of Software Acquisition, that Council: 2.1.1. Formally endorses the acquisition and implementation of Civica Altitude ERP and Magiq EDMS software systems for the proposed Cootamundra and Gundagai councils 2.1.2. Approve exemptions, under section 55(3)(i) of the Local Government Act 1993, to the tendering requirements for the reasons stated in the report. |
|
7.1.1 Recommendations from 10 March Meeting of the Demerger Transition Commmittee |
|
Resolution 069/2026 Moved: Cr Rosalind Wight Seconded: Cr Logan Collins 1. That Council authorises the Demerger Transition Committee the Authority to appoint the preferred consultant to undertake the review and update of the 2024 Financial Sustainability Plan and prepare new Financial Sustainability Plans, Long Term Financial Plans and Revenue Policies for the proposed successor Councils. 2. That Council: (a) Note the report. (b) Source a second-hand lime spreader up to a value of $175,000 (ex GST) and report to Council for consideration, prior to purchase. (c) Explore entering into a MOU with the neighbouring Council’s to utilise Council’s stabiliser at an agreed rate that ensures a commercial arrangement for the benefit of the parties. (d) Explore a ‘shared service’ arrangement for the use of plant between the two future ‘new councils’. |
|
Resolution 070/2026 Moved: Cr Penny Nicholson Seconded: Cr Les Cooper The attendance of the Mayor and the Interim General Manager at the Rural and Regional Summit on 7th May 2026, be endorsed. |
|
Resolution 071/2026 Moved: Cr David Graham Seconded: Cr Ethan Ryan That Council: 1. Request the NSW Minister for Local Government to formally dissolve the Riverina Joint Organisation. 2. Re-affirm its commitment to continuing with the Riverina Eastern Regional Organisation of Councils Inc. (REROC). 3. Thank Wagga Wagga City Council for its offer to continue the Riverina Joint Organisation but decline this request. |
|
Resolution 072/2026 Moved: Cr Logan Collins Seconded: Cr Danyal Syed The Minutes of the s.355 Committee Meetings, attached to the report, be received and noted. |
|
Resolution 073/2026 Moved: Cr David Graham Seconded: Cr Gil Kelly That the reviewed and updated Related Party Disclosure Policy, attached to the report be adopted. |
|
Resolution 074/2026 Moved: Cr Les Cooper Seconded: Cr Rosalind Wight That the Finance Update report for the month of February 2026, be noted. |
|
Resolution 075/2026 Moved: Cr David Graham Seconded: Cr Penny Nicholson The Restricted Cash Reconciliation report for the period ending 28 February 2026, be received and noted. |
|
Resolution 076/2026 Moved: Cr David Graham Seconded: Cr Rosalind Wight The report detailing Council Cash and Investments as at 28th February 2026, be noted. |
|
7.4.1 Opportunity to opt into Part 13 Accommodation for relevant construction workers of State Environmental Planning Policy (Housing) 2021 |
|
Resolution 077/2026 Moved: Cr Danyal Syed Seconded: Cr Penny Nicholson That Council resolve to opt into Part 13 Accommodation for relevant construction workers of the State Environmental Planning Policy (Housing) 2021. |
|
Resolution 078/2026 Moved: Cr Gil Kelly Seconded: Cr Logan Collins That Council: 1. Note that the updated township and villages Pedestrian and Mobility Plans (PAMP’s) for both the Cootamundra and Gundagai areas were placed on exhibition for 28 days; 2. Note that Council received 23 submissions during the community consultation period and that these submissions have been considered, investigated and added where appropriate to the Updated 2023 – 2033 PAMP documents; and 3. Endorse the revised Cootamundra & Villages Pedestrian Access and Mobility Plan 2023 –2033 and the Gundagai & Villages Pedestrian Access and Mobility Plan 2023 – 2033, as attached to the report. |
|
Resolution 079/2026 Moved: Cr Danyal Syed Seconded: Cr Les Cooper That the Cootamundra Engineering Report for the month of February 2026 be noted. |
|
Resolution 080/2026 Moved: Cr Rosalind Wight Seconded: Cr Ethan Ryan 1. Council adopt the Cootamundra Flood Warning System Review report. 2. Council accept the 2025-26 grant offer to prepare a flood study for Wallendbeen and Muttama and allocate 20% Council funding of $39,600, from the 26/27 capital expenditure budget. 3. Council approve the lodgement of grant applications under the 2026-27 NSW Floodplain Management Program for Implementation of recommendations from the Cootamundra Flood Warning System Review report and preparation of a flood study for Stockinbingal. |
|
Resolution 081/2026 Moved: Cr Ethan Ryan Seconded: Cr Logan Collins That the Gundagai Engineering Report for the month of February 2026 be noted. |
7.7 Regional Services Gundagai
|
Resolution 082/2026 Moved: Cr Ethan Ryan Seconded: Cr Logan Collins That the Gundagai Regional Services report for the month of February 2026 be noted. |
7.8 Regional Services Cootamundra
|
Resolution 083/2026 Moved: Cr David Graham Seconded: Cr Danyal Syed The Cootamundra Regional Services February Report be noted. |
8 Motion of which Notice has been Given
Nil
|
9.1 Question with Notice - Cr Wight - Usage of Old Cootamundra Hospital |
|
Resolution 084/2026 Moved: Cr Rosalind Wight Seconded: Cr Ethan Ryan The response to the Question with Notice on the usage of the old Cootamundra Hospital be noted. |
|
9.2 Question with Notice - Cr Wight - Travelling Stock Permits |
|
Resolution 085/2026 Moved: Cr Rosalind Wight Seconded: Cr Ethan Ryan That: 1. The response to the Question with Notice on Travelling Stock Permits, be noted. 2. Council provide Travelling Stock Permits (Slow Grazing Permits) for a maximum of three months. 3. Council include a clause that the permit may be revoked should conditions change, including for planned or unplanned works. |
|
9.3 Question with Notice - Cr Wight - Request for list of Council's Land Assests, and discussion |
|
Resolution 086/2026 Moved: Cr Rosalind Wight Seconded: Cr Ethan Ryan The response to the Question with Notice on Request for list of Council’s Land Assets, and discussion be noted. |
|
Resolution 087/2026 Moved: Cr Rosalind Wight Seconded: Cr Les Cooper That the response to the Question with Notice on Effluent Water Use, be noted. |
|
Resolution 088/2026 Moved: Cr Logan Collins Seconded: Cr Gil Kelly 1. Council entered Closed Council at 6.48pm. 2. Items 10.2, 10.3, 10.4, 10.5, 10.6 and 10.7 be considered in closed Council at which the press and public are excluded in accordance with the applicable provisions of the Local Government Act, 1993 and related public interest reasons detailed. 3. In accordance with section 11 (2) and (3) of the Local Government Act, 1993, the reports, correspondence and other documentation relating to Items 10.2, 10.3, 10.4, 10.5, 10.6 and 10.7 be withheld from the press and public. |
|
Resolution 089/2026 Moved: Cr Danyal Syed Seconded: Cr Penny Nicholson That the confidential information in the Human Resources report be noted. |
|
Resolution 090/2026 Moved: Cr Gil Kelly Seconded: Cr Ethan Ryan 1. Council offers the sale of Lot 23 in DP 866100, at a cost outlined in the financial section of the report, to Essential Energy. 2. Council delegate the authority to the Interim General Manager to negotiate the sale of the land, including legal costs associated with the sale to be borne by Essential Energy. 3. Funds from the sale be allocated to the Property Reserve. |
|
10.4 Tender - Annie Pyers Precinct Watermain Extension - RFT 2026/5 |
|
Resolution 091/2026 Moved: Cr David Graham Seconded: Cr Penny Nicholson That Council awards P&TS Group Pty Ltd (ABN 42 610 955 425) the tender for the construction of the Annie Pyers Precinct Water Main Extension for a lump sum price of $2,089,500.00 (exc. GST). |
|
10.5 Management and Operation of Council’s Gundagai Swimming Pool and Gymnasium Facility Tender |
|
Resolution 092/2026 Moved: Cr Les Cooper Seconded: Cr Logan Collins That Council: 1. Award Leisuresafe Australia Pty Ltd (ABN 55 688 001 069) the Management and Operation of the Gundagai War Memorial Swimming Pool and Gymnasium Facilities contract for a three year period 1 July 2026 to 30 June 2029 for $280,863.00 (ex GST). 2. Note that the contract is for a three year period with an option for a further two year period at Council’s discretion. |
|
Seconded: Cr Les Cooper That Council consider and bring forward late item 10.7 on the agenda for consideration at this stage of the meeting. |
|
Resolution 093/2026 Moved: Cr Les Cooper Seconded: Cr Rosalind Wight That Council: 1. Approve the purchase of a second-hand lime spreader through Public Auction up to the value listed in the Financial Section of this report. 2. Authorise the Interim General Manager (or Delegate), to bid at public auction up to the value listed in the Financial Section of this report.
|
||||||||||
|
10.6 Mayoral Minute - Interim General Manager Performance Review for 2025 and Performance Agreement for 2026 |
|
Resolution 094/2026 Moved: Cr David Graham Seconded: Cr Penny Nicholson That Council: 1. Establish a General Manager Performance Review Panel for the purpose of undertaking the annual performance review of the General Manager in accordance with the requirements of the Local Government Act 1993 (NSW) and relevant Office of Local Government guidelines. 2. Appoint the following councillors to the Performance Review Panel: o The Mayor (Chair) o The Deputy Mayor, Councillor Wight o Councillors Ryan and Graham 3. Authorise the Performance Review Panel to: o Conduct the annual performance review of the General Manager for the 2025 year. o Seek feedback from councillors in relation to the performance of the General Manager for the 2025 year against his position description, performance criteria and key performance indicators. o Delegate the Mayor to engage, following consultation with the Interim General Manager, an independent advisor to assist with the performance review process. o Develop a performance agreement for the 2026 year following a workshop with the full Council to ensure broad input into the agreement. 4. Request the Performance Review Panel to o Report the outcome of the performance review for 2025 to Council, including any recommendations regarding performance objectives, development priorities, or contractual matters. o Report the performance agreement for 2026. 5. Note that the performance review process will be undertaken in accordance with relevant guidance issued by the NSW Office of Local Government. |
Item - 10.7 Procurement of Second Hand Lime Spreader - has been moved to another part of the document.
Resumption of Open Council Meeting
|
Resolution 095/2026 Moved: Cr Gil Kelly Seconded: Cr Ethan Ryan That the Open Council meeting resume at 7:17pm. |
Announcement of Closed Council Resolutions
Note: The Interim General Manager announced the resolutions made in Closed Council.
The Meeting closed at 7:22pm.
|
CHAIRPERSON |
GENERAL MANAGER |
