Council Meeting highlights – Wednesday 16 February
Published on 21 February 2022
Wingecarribee Shire Council’s Extraordinary Meeting of Wednesday 16 February began with a Minute by Council’s Interim Administrator Mr Viv May.
Within the Minute the Interim Administrator reminded attendees of the start date of Monday 28 March as the commencement of the Public Hearing of Council. The Interim Administrator also congratulated Eric Savage and Jeremy Millward on being nominated the Shire’s 2022 Australia Day Citizen and Yong Citizen of the Year and the region’s respective Australia Day Honours recipients. Mr May also acknowledged the Bowral Blacks season launch and the pending centenary anniversary celebrations to be held later this year for the Country Women’s Association.
The following key items were subsequently considered as part of the Extraordinary Meeting:
- Sutherland Park Drive Planning Proposal
The Interim Administrator moved a recommendation which provides in-principle support for a Planning Proposal to rezone land at Sutherland Park in Burradoo to facilitate a new residential development. The Planning Proposal will ultimately be referred to the NSW Government for Gateway determination.
- Local Housing Strategy – Infrastructure Planning and Rezoning process
The Interim Administrator agreed with the recommendation within the report which proposes that Council continue discussions with local landowners and the broader community to identify infrastructure opportunities to support sustainable growth across the Shire.
The report references the Wingecarribee Local Housing Strategy and seeks to ensure any economic benefits associated with any rezoning of land delivers widespread public benefits including community infrastructure.
The Wingecarribee Local Housing Strategy identifies six new residential living areas that will provide for 4,000 additional dwellings over the next 20 years.
The Budget Review covered the three-month period ending 31 December 2021 and considered recommendations from the previously commissioned Finch Report.
Key highlights include the provision of $200,000 in funding to progress the Bowral Town Centre Master Plan and $280,000 towards the preparation of the Integrated Transport Strategy.
The Bowral Town Centre Master Plan will provide a holistic and place-based vision and strategic direction for the Bowral Town Centre. Likewise, the Integrated Transport Strategy will identify and provide plans for future transport infrastructure including major projects such as the Moss Vale Bypass.
Council projects that the budget position for the remainder of the year will remain balanced.
Berrima District Historical & Family History Society lease
A new 21-year lease with the Berrima District Historical & Family History Society at the Mittagong Memorial Hall was also confirmed.
Penrose Hall Funding
Council resolved to contribute $400,000 to the Penrose Hall construction project and committed to continue to seek external grant funding opportunities for the hall.
Funding Strategy for Sewage Treatment Plant Upgrades
Council was informed that costs to upgrade Council’s three major sewage treatment plants (STP’s) had increased by $24.8 million since the last cost estimates were carried out in 2018. The increase in costs can be attributed to numerous factors including inflation and cost escalations not previously applied and significant increases to the original Bowral STP upgrade design. Current estimates suggest a total of $104.8 million is required to upgrade Moss Vale, Mittagong and Bowral STP’s.
The additional funding will be sourced via a 20-year loan. The report also suggested the tender for the Bowral STP proceed as soon as possible.
Road Asset Management Update
This report provided a summary of the condition of Council roads and suggested that seven per cent or approximately 60-kilometres of the local road network requires full rehabilitation.
The report also provided a breakdown of significant road rehabilitation projects valued at over $50 million in the draft 2022/23 budget and recommended Council consider the inclusion of an additional maintenance crew to undertake pothole duties in the forthcoming budget.
Planning Proposals
Two planning proposals on Bong Bong Road in Mittagong and Railway Parade in Balmoral were both refused. The former sought to rezone the land and the latter sought to enable the land to be used for additional uses.
Medway community funding request
Council resolved to provide a one-off grant of $1,500 to assist the Medway community to become an incorporated organisation. This grant will enable a governance structure to be established allowing the community to apply for funds to improve the amenity of their community.