At the Council meeting I submitted two notices of motion for debate:
Item 9.1 – Draft Marrangaroo Structure Plan
The potential to develop Marrangaroo (Reserve Roadside of the highway) for residential and commercial use was first raised in 1982. Forty years later Council has not acquired any land in this area and has not completed its draft plan for this area because of access issues that need to be resolved with the RMS. RMS will not lower the speed limit to 80 klm along this section of the highway and require an overpass to be constructed at a cost of $160 million dollars.
I proposed that this project be place on hold until such time as there is demonstrated demand by legitimate developers and that council direct its resources to these projects/proposals that can deliver for our community in the short to medium term.
An amendment was moved to refer the issue to an Information Session for a briefing on the RMS issue, the State governments willingness to assist with the plan, and any genuine developer interest. If after the session it appears, the plan has not progressed to a point where it mis to happen in the next 10 years a report should be brought back to Council and Councilors
given the chance to vote on putting the plan on hold.
The Amendment was won 5 – 4.
My concern with this amendment is that decisions are not made in closed Information Sessions. Decisions are made in open council and debated so that the community are aware of what is occurring – its called transparency.
Item 9.2 – Wolgan Road Tennis Courts
The playground and facilities at the Wolgan Road Tennis Courts are substandard and I proposed that the full amount the voluntary funds from a nearby development be applied to upgrade the facility.
Another amendment was proposed:
1. Investigate the demolition of the current structures that contain asbestos
2. Hold the contributions in a restricted fund.
3. Determine recreation infrastructure needs for Lidsdale via community consultation
4. Design and cost the infrastructure
5. Determine the means to fund the infrastructure including through use of the developer contributions.
The amendment was won 5 – 4.
10.1.1 Local Government NSW Conference 2023
Council supported a proposal to submit a number of motions to the Annual Local Government Conference inclusive of:
Reviewing funding models for Councils particularly with respect to natural disaster, assets management.
Restoration of the 1% of Commonwealth tax revenue allocated to the Local Government Sector.
Request NSW Government to fully fund RFS maintenance and repair costs.
10.2.1.1. DA 064/23 Energy Australia Industrial Development Boreholes & Pit Excavation-Boulder Road
Energy Australia is investigating the potential to build a large storage battery at Mt Piper – the DA was for preliminary works to assist with the assessment.
10.2.1.3. DA084/23 Lithgow Women’s Shed Multi-Purpose Building
The DA for the construction of this facility was approved.
10.3.1. Storm Recovery Related Works
This item related to work undertaken on the sewer line adjacent to Farmers Creek and to additional expenditure of $1.57 million on Coxs River Road.
I moved an amendment seeking the legal basis for the concept of a mayoral financial delegation and a report justifying undertaking significant roadworks without undertaking geotechnical reports,
The amendment was lost 5- 4 and the original recommendation was moved and won 5 – 4.
This was very heated debate resulting in a 15-minute adjournment.