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Minutes Ordinary Council Meeting
Alby Schultz meeting Centre, Cootamundra
6:02PM, Tuesday 25th August, 2026
Administration Centres: 1300 459 689 |
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Minutes Ordinary Council Meeting
Alby Schultz meeting Centre, Cootamundra
6:02PM, Tuesday 25th August, 2026
Administration Centres: 1300 459 689 |
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Ordinary Council Meeting Minutes |
25 August 2026 |
MINUTES OF Cootamundra-Gundagai Regional Council
Ordinary Council
Meeting
HELD AT THE Alby
Schultz meeting Centre, Cootamundra
ON Tuesday, 25 August
2026 AT 6:02PM
PRESENT: Cr
Abb McAlister (Mayor), Cr Rosalind Wight (Deputy Mayor),
Cr Logan Collins (online), Cr Les Cooper, Cr David Graham, Cr Gil Kelly,
Cr Penny Nicholson (online), Cr Ethan Ryan, Cr Danyal Syed
IN ATTENDANCE: Roger Bailey (Interim General Manager), Trevor Dando (Acting Deputy General Manager - Operations) (online), Damian Smith (Acting Manager Finance) (online), Linda Wiles (Manager Business) (online), 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
Nil
2.2 Leave of Absence
2.3 Audio-visual attendance requests
Nil
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Resolution 194/2026 Moved: Cr David Graham Seconded: Cr Danyal Syed That Council note the non-pecuniary significant interest declared by Cr Collins pertaining to item 10.4. |
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4.1 Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting of Council held on Tuesday 28 July 2026 |
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Resolution 195/2026 Moved: Cr Rosalind Wight Seconded: Cr Ethan Ryan That the Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting of Council held on Tuesday 28 July 2026 be confirmed as a true and correct record of the meeting. |
Nil
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6.1 Minutes of the Demerger Transition Committee Meeting held on Tuesday 11 August 2026 |
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Resolution 196/2026 Moved: Cr Les Cooper Seconded: Cr Gil Kelly 1. That the Minutes of the Demerger Transition Committee Meeting held on Tuesday 11 August 2026, attached to the report, be received and noted. |
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2. In consideration of the Demerger Transition Committees recommendations detailed in the minutes, Council endorse the following: |
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That Council: 2.1. Rename the GM Recruitment Committees to GM Recruitment ‘Panels’. |
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That Council: 2.2. Confirm the following preferences for the governance arrangements for the successor councils: (a) That the boundaries of the proposed Cootamundra and Gundagai Shire Councils be the same as existed immediately prior to the 2016 merger. (b) That both Cootamundra and Gundagai Shire Councils be undivided - that is, neither council will have wards. (c) That Cootamundra Shire Council have seven councillors. (d) That Gundagai Shire Council have five councillors. (e) That for both successor councils the Mayor be elected in accordance with the Local Government Act 1993 section 227(a), namely elected by the councillors from among their number. 2.3. Request that the first election of councillors be conducted at the same time as the next local government general elections, currently scheduled for September 2028. 2.4. Request that, for the period from commencement on 1 July 2027 until the first councillor election, the Proclamation specify: (a) That the governing bodies be: i. For Cootamundra Shire Council, those Councillors holding office at 30 June 2027, and not suspended from office, whose primary residence is within the proclaimed boundary for the Cootamundra Shire local government area. ii. For Gundagai Shire Council, those Councillors holding office at 30 June 2027, and not suspended from office, whose primary residence is within the proclaimed boundary for the Gundagai Shire local government area. (b) That each governing body established under part (a) above is authorised to: i. Elect a Chief Administrator to chair meetings and perform the roles of the Mayor as described in the Local Government Act 1993 section 226. ii. Determine the remuneration of Chief Administrator and Administrators in the same manner as councils determine the remuneration for the Mayor and other councillors. CARRIED |
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6.2 Minutes of the Cootamundra-Gundagai Local Transport Forum Meeting held on Thursday 13 August 2026 |
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Resolution 197/2026 Moved: Cr David Graham Seconded: Cr Penny Nicholson 1. That the Minutes of the Cootamundra-Gundagai Local Transport Forum Meeting held on Thursday 13 August 2026, attached to the report, be received and noted. 2. In consideration of the Local Transport Forum recommendations detailed in the minutes, Council endorse the following: 2.1. That the Minutes of the Cootamundra-Gundagai Local Transport Forum Meeting held on Thursday 21 May 2026 be confirmed as a true and correct record of the meeting. 2.2. That Council does not provide an accessible parking space on the eastern side of Parker Street, between Bourke Street and Wallendoon Street, Cootamundra, at the northern end of the block, as the existing accessible parking provisions in the vicinity are considered adequate to meet current demand and accessibility requirements. 2.3. That Council does not relocate the 15-tonne load limit signage on Hoskins Street to the northern side of the Ellwood Street intersection to avoid unnecessary restrictions on local traffic movements while continuing to protect the causeway from heavy vehicle impacts. 2.4. That the list of upcoming events be noted by the Forum. 2.5. That the Local Transport Forum scheduled for 12 November 2026 be rescheduled to 19 November 2026. |
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Resolution 198/2026 Moved: Cr David Graham Seconded: Cr Logan Collins The Christmas 2026 and New Year 2027 closures for Council facilities be noted. |
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Resolution 199/2026 Moved: Cr Logan Collins Seconded: Cr Ethan Ryan That the Draft Banner and Flag Booking Policy, attached to the report, be adopted. |
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Resolution 200/2026 Moved: Cr David Graham Seconded: Cr Ethan Ryan That the Draft Access to Information Policy attached to the report, be adopted. |
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Resolution 201/2026 Moved: Cr Danyal Syed Seconded: Cr Les Cooper That the: 1. Following s.355 Committee Meeting minutes, attached to the report, be received and noted: (a) The Minutes of the Arts Centre Cootamundra s.355 committee meetings dated, 21 May and 18 June 2026. (b) The Minutes of the Cootamundra Showground Users Group s.355 committee meeting dated, 17 June 2026. (c) The Annual General Meeting Minutes (inclusive of the Financial Statement 2025-2026 and the Financial Report for the Heritage Room 2025-2026) of the Stockinbingal Ellwood’s Hall s.355 Committee meeting dated, 27 July 2026 (d) The Office bearers and membership of the Stockinbingal Ellwood’s Hall s.355 Committee as detailed in the report be endorsed. 2. Draft Cootamundra Showground Users s.355 Committee Constitution attached to the report, be endorsed. |
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Resolution 202/2026 Moved: Cr Rosalind Wight Seconded: Cr Les Cooper The Restricted Cash Reconciliation report for the period ending 31 July 2026, be received and noted. |
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Resolution 203/2026 Moved: Cr Danyal Syed Seconded: Cr Ethan Ryan That the Finance Update report for the month of July 2026, be noted. |
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Resolution 204/2026 Moved: Cr David Graham Seconded: Cr Penny Nicholson The report detailing Council Cash and Investments as at 31st July 2026, be noted. |
Nil
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Resolution 205/2026 Moved: Cr Gil Kelly Seconded: Cr Rosalind Wight That the Cootamundra Engineering Report for the month of July 2026 be noted. |
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Resolution 206/2026 Moved: Cr Les Cooper Seconded: Cr Danyal Syed That the Gundagai Engineering Report for the month of July 2026 be noted. |
7.7 Regional Services Gundagai
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Resolution 207/2026 Moved: Cr David Graham Seconded: Cr Ethan Ryan That the Gundagai Regional Services report for the month of July 2026 be noted. |
7.8 Regional Services Cootamundra
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Resolution 208/2026 Moved: Cr Gil Kelly Seconded: Cr Rosalind Wight The Cootamundra Regional Services Report for the month of July 2026 be noted. |
8 Motion of which Notice has been Given
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8.1 Notice of Motion - Cr Ryan - Bradman Museum Precinct - Asset Condition Assessment, Maintenance and Lifecycle Renewal Plan |
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Resolution 209/2026 Moved: Cr Ethan Ryan Seconded: Cr Rosalind Wight That Council: 1. Acknowledges the cultural, historical, tourism and community significance of the Bradman Museum precinct, including its importance to Cootamundra’s identity and association with Sir Donald Bradman, and recognises the contribution of the volunteers who operate the museum through its Section 355 Committee. 2. Arranges an immediate inspection of the precinct to identify any urgent Work Health and Safety, public safety or asset-failure risks, and undertakes any necessary interim make-safe works. 3. Undertakes a comprehensive condition assessment of all Council-owned buildings, services and associated infrastructure within the precinct, in consultation with the Section 355 Committee and, where required, appropriately qualified building, structural, heritage or other technical specialists. The assessment is to include the condition of buildings and structural elements, roofs and drainage, external timberwork and weatherproofing, accessways and grounds, building services, accessibility, fire and emergency arrangements, and any risks arising from moisture, pests, deterioration or ground conditions. (a) Receives a report within three months, or as soon as practicable thereafter (by agreement with Councillors), that: identifies all defects, outstanding maintenance matters, safety risks and compliance issues, including previously reported concerns where records are available; (b) provides condition and risk ratings for significant asset components and identifies the underlying causes of deterioration; (c) identifies any risks to volunteers, visitors, museum operations, heritage fabric, artefacts, exhibits and records; (d) recommends required maintenance, repair, renewal, replacement and improvement works; (e) prioritises works as immediate, short, medium and longer-term actions, having regard to safety, asset condition, operational impact, heritage significance and the consequences of deferral; (f) provides indicative delivery timeframes, dependencies and high-level cost estimates, including appropriate contingencies; and (g) identifies potential funding sources through existing budgets, future Integrated Planning and Reporting processes, asset renewal allocations and relevant external grant programs. 4. Includes within the report a planned asset-management approach for the precinct, including: (a) review and updating of Council’s asset register, including condition, criticality, remaining useful life, replacement value and maintenance history for significant components; (b) a planned preventative maintenance and inspection program, including appropriate inspection frequencies, intervention triggers, assigned responsibilities and record-keeping requirements; (c) lifecycle renewal planning over a minimum ten-year period; and (d) consideration of an appropriate annual maintenance allocation. 5. Reviews the process for reporting and managing maintenance and safety concerns raised by the Section 355 Committee, with recommendations for acknowledgement, risk assessment, response timeframes, escalation, progress updates and confirmation of completed works. 6. Ensures the Section 355 Committee is consulted throughout the assessment and planning process, is provided with the final report and adopted implementation program, and receives appropriate updates on progress. 7. Receives quarterly progress reports on the delivery of all critical and high-priority actions until those works are completed, with ongoing maintenance and renewal requirements thereafter reported through Council’s asset-management and Integrated Planning and Reporting processes. |
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8.2 Notice of Motion - Cr Kelly - Unauthorised Disposal of Leachate at Cootamundra Sewage Treatment Plant |
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Resolution 210/2026 Moved: Cr Gil Kelly Seconded: Cr Les Cooper That Council requests the Interim General Manager to prepare a report for consideration by Council regarding the current implications of the August 2021 unauthorised receipt and disposal of leachate at the Cootamundra Sewage Treatment Plant, including the current status and management requirements for any residual material remaining in the treatment ponds. The report should address: 1. the current status and condition of any residual sludge, sediment or other material remaining in the treatment ponds; 2. the options available to Council for managing, treating, removing or disposing of the residual material, including any approvals or regulatory requirements that may apply; 3. whether any matters arising from the residual material remain outstanding with the Environment Protection Authority or any other relevant regulatory authority; and 4. any other matters staff consider relevant to appropriately and lawfully managing or resolving the current situation. Cr McAlister (Mayor) and Cr Nicholson requested that their names be recorded against the motion. |
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Resolution 211/2026 Moved: Cr Rosalind Wight Seconded: Cr Danyal Syed That Council notes: 1. That the Cootamundra and Gundagai veterinary clinics are reimbursed for euthanising feral cats on Council’s behalf. 2. That the veterinary clinics are also reimbursed for disposing of feral animals. |
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8.5 Notice of Motion - Cr Wight - Solar Sites in Cootamundra |
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Resolution 212/2026 Moved: Cr Rosalind Wight Seconded: Cr Ethan Ryan That the Notice of Motion ‘Solar Sites in Cootamundra’ be withdrawn. |
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Resolution 213/2026 Moved: Cr Rosalind Wight Seconded: Cr Danyal Syed That the responses to the Question with Notice on the Aerodrome, be noted. |
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Resolution 214/2026 Moved: Cr Rosalind Wight Seconded: Cr Ethan Ryan That the responses to the Question with Notice on Sir Bradman’s Cottage be noted. |
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9.3 Question with Notice - Cr Wight - Solar Panel Disposal Policy |
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Resolution 215/2026 Moved: Cr Rosalind Wight Seconded: Cr Les Cooper That the responses to the Question with Notice on a Solar Panel disposal Policy, be noted. |
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9.4 Question with Notice - Cr Wight - Dog on the Tuckerbox Development |
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Resolution 216/2026 Moved: Cr Rosalind Wight Seconded: Cr David Graham That the responses to the Question with Notice on the Dog on the Tuckerbox development be noted. |
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Resolution 217/2026 Moved: Cr Gil Kelly Seconded: Cr Ethan Ryan 1. Items 10.2, 10.3, 10.4 and 10.5 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, 10.4 and 10.5 be withheld from the press and public. Council entered Closed Council at 7:23pm. |
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Resolution 218/2026 Moved: Cr Ethan Ryan Seconded: Cr Rosalind Wight That the confidential information in the Human Resources report be noted. |
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10.3 Hardship Application - Assessment 11017340 - Requested Review |
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Resolution 219/2026 Moved: Cr Penny Nicholson Seconded: Cr Les Cooper That Council: 1. Approve hardship assistance for the owner of the property identified as assessment number 11017340, 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 September 2026 to 28 February 2026, provided the ratepayer complies with that payment arrangement for the duration of that period. |
At 7:26 pm, Cr Logan Collins left the meeting.
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Resolution 220/2026 Moved: Cr Rosalind Wight Seconded: Cr Ethan Ryan That Council note the information provided in relation to Australian Meat Group (AMG). |
At 7:36 pm, Cr Logan Collins returned to the meeting.
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Resolution 221/2026 Moved: Cr Rosalind Wight Seconded: Cr Danyal Syed That the responses to the Question with Notice on New Soil, be noted. |
Resumption of Open Council Meeting
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Resolution 222/2026 Moved: Cr David Graham Seconded: Cr Les Cooper That the Open Council meeting resume at 7:39pm. |
Announcement of Closed Council Resolutions
Note: The Interim General Manager announced the resolutions made in Closed Council.
The Meeting closed at 7:41pm.
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CHAIRPERSON |
INTERIM GENERAL MANAGER |