Key Decisions from 21 October Council Meeting
Published on 29 October 2021
Council’s Monthly Ordinary Meeting was held virtually on Thursday 21 October 2021, with seven Councillors in attendance. The meeting was livestreamed on Council’s YouTube channel.
The meeting documents, live recording and minutes can be viewed on Council’s website at www.svc.nsw.gov.au/21-Oct-2021.
At the meeting Council made key decisions on the following reports:
SNOWY VALLEYS COUNCIL POSITION ON TRANSGRID HUMELINK TRANSMISSION LINE - Council endorsed a Position Statement to expand on its previous position regarding the Humelink Transmission line.
The statement included that Humelink towers be built on public land, that annual payments be made to compensate impacted landholders, that the project limit impact on the Snowy Valleys natural surrounds and that assurances be made that the powerline route will not cage and surround the Snowy Valleys.
The Council also stated that it sought confirmation that investigations into a legacy program to invest in the Snowy Valleys area would commence and that Transgrid will also look to provide mobile connectivity along the defined corridor.
PRESENTATION OF THE 2020/21 ANNUAL FINANCIAL STATEMENTS- Council agreed to formally present the 2020/21 Audited Financial Statements to the public. And as required under the Local Government Act 1993, to provide all submissions to the auditors and, in addition, may take action as considered appropriate.
Council’s financial statements provide great insight into Council’s business and financial wellbeing. The overall operating result from continuing operations for 2020/21 is a profit of $6.76M, while the net operating result when excluding capital grants and contributions is a loss of $4.98M. Council’s revenue increased by $13.99M and operating expenses increased by $11.26M, mainly due to unprecedented grant funding and contributions for works undertaken on bushfire clean up. The Covid pandemic had some impact on the financial result, mainly in the form of considerably reduced investment returns and some reduction in fee revenue due to closure of facilities and events not going ahead.
NOTIFICATION OF IPART OF INTENT TO APPLY FOR A SPECIAL RATE VARIATION - Council agreed to notify the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) of its intent to apply for a Special Rate Variation (SRV) of 17.5% in 2022/23 and 17.5% in 2023/24 (including rate peg) as a permanent increase retained within the rate base.
They also requested that the CEO undertake more community consultation from 25 Oct to 28 November 2021 for the preparation of an SRV application.
The updated Long-Term Financial Plan was also endorsed to be placed on public exhibition for a period of 28 days.
In January 2022 the newly elected Council will receive a report on the community consultation outcomes, along with the completed SRV Application for consideration and determination.
LEASE - RAIL PRECINCT IN TUMUT - Council authorised the CEO to renegotiate Council’s lease agreement for the Tumut Rail Precinct, including the Old Tumut rail station, Old Goods shed and public amenities to ensure that the liability for maintaining the buildings, their safety, functionality, and compliance with relevant building standards is the responsibility of the landlord and not Council.
CLASSIFY LAND PURCHASED - 14 TYRELL STREET, KHANCOBAN (LOT 3) – Council approved the classification of the Khancoban Country Club as operational and endorsed the CEO to undertake a procurement process for the land’s sale.
In April 2018, Council resolved to purchase Lot 3 of 14 Tyrell Street in Khancoban and formally acquired ownership in August 2021.
Council will seek advice on the most appropriate use for the lot and resolved to classify the land as operational to enable selling or development of the land.
TUMUT AERODROME - ADDITIONAL HANGAR SPACE - Council agreed to proceed with making additional land available at the Tumut Aerodrome for the development of six hangars, noting the ongoing demand for additional hangars, and requested a further report to consider an update to the Tumut Aerodrome Masterplan to include the additional hanger space and upgrades.
The cost of the hangars will be incorporated under the stage 2 improvement works at the Aerodrome where ground will need to be prepared for stockpiling, fleet staging and materials storage.
FOOTPATH EXTENSION - FOREST STREET TUMUT - Council endorsed extending the concrete footpath at the Franklin Public School in Forest Street, Tumut in partnership with the Franklin Public School, subject to the availability of funding.
It was agreed that council staff should pursue external funding opportunities but consider allocating a budget of $39,600 as part of the 2022/23 budget if external funding could not be sourced.
Council also endorsed further strategic assessment be undertaken after the completion of the path extension to review the need to extend the footpath along Snowy Mountains Highway to link with residential housing to the east.
TRANSFER OF SVC COMMUNITY SERVICES PROGRAMS - Council voted against proceeding with the development of a transition plan for a possible transfer of the SVC Community Services Programs; four votes to three.
National reforms focused on improved service delivery and changing funding models are due to take effect from the end of June 2023 and the report recommended that Council consider support for the development of a transition plan for the SVC Commonwealth Home Support Program to an accredited external provider.
The programs proposed to be transferred were those operated by the Tumbarumba Multi Service Outlet and the Tumut District Community Transport.
REV2021/0001 - SECTION 8.2 REVIEW OF DETERMINATION FOR LOT 11 BOMBOWLEE AVENUE BOMBOWLEE AND REV2021/0002 - SECTION 8.2 REVIEW OF DETERMINATION FOR LOT 12 BOMBOWLEE AVENUE BOMBOWLEE - Council unanimously agreed to defer both matters until the applicant had time to submit an access and egress plan.
The next Ordinary Meeting of Council will be held on Thursday 4 November 2021 starting at 2pm.
-ENDS-