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Minutes Ordinary Council Meeting
Council Chambers, Gundagai
6:00PM, Tuesday 28th July, 2026
Administration Centres: 1300 459 689 |
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Minutes Ordinary Council Meeting
Council Chambers, Gundagai
6:00PM, Tuesday 28th July, 2026
Administration Centres: 1300 459 689 |
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Ordinary Council Meeting Minutes |
28 July 2026 |
MINUTES OF Cootamundra-Gundagai Regional Council
Ordinary Council
Meeting
HELD AT THE Council
Chambers, Gundagai
ON Tuesday, 28 July
2026 AT 6:00PM
PRESENT: Cr Rosalind Wight (Deputy Mayor and Chairperson), Cr Logan Collins, Cr Les Cooper, Cr David Graham, Cr Gil Kelly, Cr Penny Nicholson, Cr Ethan Ryan (online), 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
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Resolution 159/2026 Moved: Cr Logan Collins Seconded: Cr Gil Kelly Apologies from Cr Abb McAlister be received and leave of absence granted. |
2.2 Leave of Absence
2.3 Audio-visual attendance requests
Nil
Nil
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4.1 Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting of Council held on Tuesday 23 June 2026 |
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Resolution 160/2026 Moved: Cr Gil Kelly Seconded: Cr David Graham That the Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting of Council held on Tuesday 23 June 2026 be confirmed as a true and correct record of the meeting. |
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5.1 Mayoral Minute - Support for Campaign to Increase Federal Assistance Grants to Local Government |
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Resolution 161/2026 Moved: Cr David Graham Seconded: Cr Penny Nicholson That Council: 1. Notes the Country Mayors Association of NSW "Invest in Us" campaign advocating for increased Commonwealth Financial Assistance Grants to Local Governments. The campaign seeks to restore at least 1% of total Commonwealth taxation revenue for local Councils across Australia. 2. Recognises the critical role Local Government plays in delivering essential services and infrastructure that underpin community wellbeing, economic vitality, and national resilience. 3. Supports the campaign's core message: 'Invest in us so we can invest in them.' 4. Commits to participating in the campaign by: a) Sharing campaign materials through Council communication channels. b) Engaging with local media and community stakeholders to raise awareness. c) Lobbying Federal representatives to support the funding increase. 5. Requests the Mayor to write to the relevant Prime Minister, Treasurer, Federal Minister for Local Government, the Shadow Minister for Local Government, our local Member of Parliament and Senator expressing Council's support for the campaign and urging their commitment to the proposed funding increase. |
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5.2 Mayoral Minute - Councillor Engagements - 13 June 2026 - 17 July 2026 |
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Resolution 162/2026 Moved: Cr Les Cooper Seconded: Cr Penny Nicholson The information in the Councillor Engagements Mayoral Minute be received and noted. |
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6.1 Minutes of the Demerger Transition Committee Meeting held on Tuesday 16 June 2026 |
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Resolution 163/2026 Moved: Cr Danyal Syed Seconded: Cr Gil Kelly 1. That the Minutes of the Demerger Transition Committee Meeting held on Tuesday 16 June 2026, attached to the report, be received and noted. 2. In consideration of the Demerger Transition Committee recommendations detailed in the minutes, Council endorse the following: That Council: 2.1. Request that the Proclamation: 2.1.1. Rename Cootamundra-Gundagai Regional Council as Cootamundra Shire Council and adjust the boundary to match the boundary of the former Cootamundra Shire Council. 2.1.2. Create Gundagai Shire Council using the boundary of the former Gundagai Shire Council. 2.1.3. Include wording to require Cootamundra Shire Council to assign to Gundagai Shire Council, and Gundagai Shire Council to accept, all contracts and agreements entered into by Cootamundra-Gundagai Regional Council that were deemed necessary for the successful operation of Gundagai Shire Council. 2.2. Note the letter from the Office of Local Government dated 25 May 2026 (attached). 2.3. Note the appointment of Always Thinking Advisory as the contractor to complete the work described in Contract 2026/10, Financial Sustainability Plan and Associated Work. 2.4. Note that the Financial Sustainability Plan work will need to take precedence over much of Council’s day-to-day work to ensure that it’s completed to schedule to enable Council to meet the Office of Local Government requirements. |
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6.2 Minutes of the Demerger Transition Committee Meeting held on Tuesday 14 July 2026 |
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Resolution 164/2026 Moved: Cr David Graham Seconded: Cr Penny Nicholson 1. That the Minutes of the Demerger Transition Committee Meeting held on Tuesday 14 July 2026, attached to the report, be received and noted. 2. In consideration of the Demerger Transition Committee recommendations detailed in the minutes, Council endorse the following: That: 2.1. For the purposes of the Financial Sustainability Plan currently being reviewed, the draft organisational structures for the two successor Councils not include any shared services. 2.2. Council notes the process and expenditure for the development of a draft Community Strategic Plan for each of the successor Councils (attached). 2.3. Council notes the report in relation to the Demerger Transition Update – LGNSW Planning Meeting (attached). 2.4. Council notes the report in relation to the Financial Sustainability Plan Schedule (attached). |
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Resolution 165/2026 Moved: Cr Gil Kelly Seconded: Cr David Graham That Council: 1. Endorse the attendance of the Mayor, a councillor and Interim General Manager at the 2026 LGNSW Conference. 2. Authorise the Mayor to appoint a councillor to attend the 2026 LGNSW Annual Conference. 3. Nominate the Mayor and a councillor appointed under 2. above as Council's voting delegates for the 2026 Conference and advise LGNSW of the appointed delegates by 5.00pm on 30 October 2026. 4. Consider any proposed motions for the 2026 LGNSW Conference at the September 2026 Council meeting, with draft motions to be submitted to the Interim General Manager by midday on Monday, 14 September 2026, and any endorsed motions submitted to LGNSW by 30 September 2026. 5. Reschedule the November 2026 Ordinary Council Meeting to Thursday, 26 November 2026, for the reasons outlined in this report. |
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7.1.2 Innovation in Energy, Waste and the Circular Economy (IEWCE) Conference 9th & 10th September 2026 |
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Resolution 166/2026 Moved: Cr Penny Nicholson Seconded: Cr Les Cooper That Council: 1. Note the report in relation to the Innovation in Energy, Waste and the Circular Economy (IEWCE) Conference; and 2. Be provided with a report by the attending Council staff in relation to the Conference. |
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Resolution 167/2026 Moved: Cr David Graham Seconded: Cr Gil Kelly That the following s.355 Committee Meeting minutes, attached to the report, be received and noted: 1. The Minutes of the Stockinbingal Ellwood’s Hall s.355 committee meeting dated, 22 June 2026. 2. The Minutes of the Muttama Hall Management s.355 committee meeting dated, 31 May 2026. 3. The Minutes of the Cootamundra Heritage Centre s.355 Management committee meeting dated, 1 June 2026 and 6 July 2026. |
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Resolution 168/2026 Moved: Cr David Graham Seconded: Cr Gil Kelly That Council continue its membership with Eastern Riverina Arts for the 2026/2027 financial year. |
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Resolution 169/2026 Moved: Cr Penny Nicholson Seconded: Cr David Graham That Council: 1. Discontinue production and distribution of the monthly Community Newsletter. 2. Adopt a Digital Communications Model as Council's primary method of community communication, including communicating through Council's existing digital and statutory communication channels, e.g. promoting subscription to Council's email communications list. 3. Make printed copies of key media releases, community notices and other important information available at Council Administration Offices, Libraries, the Visitor Information Centre and other suitable Council facilities. 4. Monitor community feedback in relation to Council communication. |
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Resolution 170/2026 Moved: Cr Logan Collins Seconded: Cr David Graham That the Finance Update report for the month of June 2026, be noted. |
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Resolution 171/2026 Moved: Cr Danyal Syed Seconded: Cr Logan Collins The Restricted Cash Reconciliation report for the period ending 30 June 2026, be received and noted. |
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7.3.3 Revaluation of Property, Buildings and Other Structures |
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Resolution 172/2026 Moved: Cr Logan Collins Seconded: Cr Gil Kelly That the report on the 2026 Revaluation of Property, Buildings and Other Structures be noted. |
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Resolution 173/2026 Moved: Cr David Graham Seconded: Cr Penny Nicholson The report detailing Council Cash and Investments as at 30th June 2026, be noted. |
Nil
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Resolution 174/2026 Moved: Cr Logan Collins Seconded: Cr Gil Kelly That the Cootamundra Engineering Report for the month of June 2026 be noted. |
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Resolution 175/2026 Moved: Cr Les Cooper Seconded: Cr David Graham That Council: 1. Endorses the continued use of Cootamundra aerodrome for non-aviation events. 2. Gives in principle support to the temporary closure of the Cootamundra aerodrome during non-aviation events. 3. Undertakes consultation with the existing Cootamundra aerodrome occupants / businesses / users in relation to the planned changes. 4. Receives a further report following completion of this consultation process. |
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Resolution 176/2026 Moved: Cr Les Cooper Seconded: Cr Penny Nicholson That the Gundagai Engineering Report for the month of June 2026 be noted. |
7.7 Regional Services Gundagai
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Resolution 177/2026 Moved: Cr Gil Kelly Seconded: Cr Logan Collins That the Gundagai Regional Services report for the month of June 2026 be noted. |
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Resolution 178/2026 Moved: Cr David Graham Seconded: Cr Penny Nicholson That Council: 1. Accepts in principle the offer from the Uniting Church to transfer: o Part North Gundagai Cemetery – Lot 2 DP 1041398; and o Part South Gundagai Cemetery – Lot 1 DP 668531; to Cootamundra-Gundagai Regional Council for a peppercorn fee of $1 per property. 2. Authorises the Interim General Manager to arrange the necessary investigations and due diligence associated with the proposed acquisitions. 3. Authorises the Interim General Manager to execute all documentation necessary to complete the transfers, subject to satisfactory due diligence outcomes. |
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7.7.3 Owners Consent Request for the creation and registering of Easement for Electrical upgrade on Gundagai Swimming Pool Land |
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Resolution 179/2026 Moved: Cr Gil Kelly Seconded: Cr Danyal Syed That Council: 1. Approve the granting of owner's consent for the creation and registration of an easement for underground electricity infrastructure over Lot 11 DP 1128590, being Council-owned land adjacent to Sheridan Lane and the Gundagai Swimming Pool frontage, for the benefit of Lot 1012 DP 1327211 (Gundagai Tourist Park). 2. Requires the applicant to provide a final survey plan and easement alignment satisfactory to Council, confirming the location and extent of the proposed easement and associated infrastructure prior to the execution of any easement documentation. 3. Authorises the General Manager to negotiate and execute all necessary legal documents associated with the creation and registration of the easement, subject to Council's satisfaction with the final easement location and terms. 4. Requires all costs associated with the creation, survey, legal documentation, registration, construction, reinstatement, and any statutory approvals associated with the easement to be borne entirely by the applicant. 5. Requires all disturbed Council land, infrastructure and public assets to be restored to Council's satisfaction at the applicant's expense. |
7.8 Regional Services Cootamundra
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Resolution 180/2026 Moved: Cr David Graham Seconded: Cr Penny Nicholson The Cootamundra Regional Services Report for the month of June 2026 be noted. |
8 Motion of which Notice has been Given
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8.1 Notice of Motion - Gundagai Pre-School Redevelopment Project Progress Report |
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Resolution 181/2026 Moved: Cr Penny Nicholson Seconded: Cr David Graham That: 1. The Gundagai Preschool Redevelopment Progress Report July 2026, attached to the report, be received and noted. 2. Future progress updates be provided to Council periodically until the project has been completed. |
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8.2 Notice of Motion - Service Standards for Fire Hydrant Maintenance |
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Resolution 182/2026 Moved: Cr Gil Kelly Seconded: Cr Logan Collins That Council: 1. Receive a report outlining Council’s current practices for inspecting, maintaining and repairing fire hydrants across the local government area. 2. Develop and present to Council a proposed service standard, including Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), for the repair of defective fire hydrants, having regard to Council’s obligations under the Water Management (Water Supply Authorities) Regulation 2025, which requires fire hydrants to be maintained in effective working order at all times. 3. Include within the report: a. the current process for reporting defective hydrants; b. target response and repair timeframes based on the severity of the defect; c. how defects are prioritised; d. how compliance with the proposed service standards will be monitored and reported; and e. any budgetary or resource implications associated with implementing the proposed standards. 4. Provide six-monthly reporting to Council on the number of reported hydrant defects, repair timeframes, and outstanding defects. 5. Following completion of the network-wide hydrant inspection program, Council receive a report outlining: a. the total number of hydrants inspected; b. the number found to require repair or replacement; c. the estimated cost of rectification; d. a prioritised program for completing the required works; and e. any additional funding required to achieve compliance with Council’s obligations under the Water Management (Water Supply Authorities) Regulation 2025. |
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9.1 Question with Notice - Cr Nicholson - Bats in trees on Morleys Creek |
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Resolution 183/2026 Moved: Cr Penny Nicholson Seconded: Cr Logan Collins That the responses to the Question with Notice on Bats in Trees on Morley’s Creek, be noted. |
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9.2 Question with Notice - Cr Wight - The Cootamundra Saleyards |
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Resolution 184/2026 Moved: Cr Rosalind Wight Seconded: Cr Les Cooper The response to the Question with Notice regarding the Cootamundra Saleyards, be noted. |
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9.3 Question with Notice - Cr Wight - Health Regulations pertaining to Charitable Barbeques |
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Resolution 185/2026 Moved: Cr Rosalind Wight Seconded: Cr Logan Collins The response to the Question with Notice regarding the Health Regulations pertaining to Charitable Barbeques, be noted. |
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Resolution 186/2026 Moved: Cr Rosalind Wight Seconded: Cr Gil Kelly That: 1. The response to the Question with Notice regarding the AMG Co-Contribution, be noted. 2. Due to the provisions of 10A(2)(g) of the NSW Local Government Act, advice concerning litigation, or advice that would otherwise be privileged from production in legal proceedings on the ground of legal professional privilege, the issue in relation to the dongas be considered in Closed Council. |
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Resolution 187/2026 Moved: Cr Rosalind Wight Seconded: Cr Danyal Syed The response to the Question with Notice regarding the Sunmania Solar Farm, be noted. |
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9.6 Question with Notice - Cr Wight - Cat Management Regulations |
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Resolution 188/2026 Moved: Cr Rosalind Wight Seconded: Cr Ethan Ryan The response to the Question with Notice regarding the Cat Management Regulations, be noted. |
At 8:26 pm, Cr Gil Kelly left the meeting.
At 8:27 pm, Cr Gil Kelly returned to the meeting.
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Resolution 189/2026 Moved: Cr Gil Kelly Seconded: Cr David Graham 1. Items 10.2, 10.3 and 10.4 (Australian Meat Group (AMG) dongas at the Cootamundra Abattoir) 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. 2. 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 and 10.4 be withheld from the press and public. Council entered Closed Council at 8:28pm. |
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Resolution 190/2026 Moved: Cr Les Cooper Seconded: Cr Penny Nicholson That the confidential information in the Human Resources report be noted. |
At 8:39 pm, Cr David Graham left the meeting.
At 8:39 pm, Cr David Graham returned to the meeting.
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Resolution 191/2026 Moved: Cr Les Cooper Seconded: Cr David Graham That Council: 1. Approve hardship assistance for the owner of the property identified as assessment number 10016475, subject to the ratepayer entering and maintaining a payment arrangement approved by the Interim General Manager. 2. Authorises the Interim General Manager to: a) determine and enter into the payment arrangement with the ratepayer; and b) write off any interest accrued for the period 1 August 2026 to 31 January 2027, provided the ratepayer complies with that payment arrangement for the duration of that period. |
At 8:47 pm, Cr Logan Collins left the meeting due to significant Non-Pecuniary Interest.
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10.4 Australian meat group (amg) Cootamundra abattoir, DONGAS |
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Resolution 192/2026 Moved: Cr Penny Nicholson Seconded: Cr Les Cooper That Council note the advice on the AMG, Cootamundra Abattoir, dongas. |
At 8:55pm, Cr Logan Collins returned to the meeting.
Resumption of Open Council Meeting
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Resolution 193/2026 Moved: Cr Gil Kelly Seconded: Cr Danyal Syed That the Open Council meeting resume at 8:55pm. |
Announcement of Closed Council Resolutions
Note: The Interim General Manager announced the resolutions made in Closed Council.
The Meeting closed at 8:56pm.
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CHAIRPERSON |
INTERIM GENERAL MANAGER |
