Council Meeting Briefs - 16 May 2023
Published on 18 May 2023
MAYORAL MINUTE - DAMAGING INCREASE IN EMERGENCY SERVICES LEVY COSTS
Council will write to the various members of the NSW Government expressing its strong opposition to the NSW Government’s last-minute decision to impose an enormous Emergency Services Levy (ESL) cost increase on councils for 2023/2024 by scrapping the ESL subsidy for councils and at a time after Council has publicly advertised its Operational Plan and annual budget to the community.
The Government’s decision will lead to a reduction in important local services and potentially the cancelation of necessary infrastructure projects.
REVIEW OF THE SOUTH GOULBURN THREATENED SPECIES MANAGEMENT PLAN
Council endorsed a comprehensive review of the South Goulburn Threatened Species Management Plan. The Plan, which was first adopted in 2004, contains updated recommendations that, when actioned, will ensure that areas in South Goulburn containing vulnerable, threatened, and endangered species and ecological communities are managed and protected in line with current State and Commonwealth laws as well as community expectations.
CATHCART RESERVE ACCESS OPTIONS FOLLOWING THE SOUTH GOULBURN THREATENED SPECIES MANAGEMENT PLAN REVIEW
Council endorsed the closure of the reserve, located between Lansdowne Street and Abbey Road, to vehicle traffic, committed to the formalisation of a pedestrian walking track and the development and implementation of a vegetation management plan in recognition of the presence of Box Gum Grassy Woodland, a critically endangered ecological community, on the site. The resolution complements the adoption of the South Goulburn Threatened Species Management Plan.
Adjoining residents will continue to be provided with the ability to use the reserve intermittently as a secondary access to their properties.
TENDER 2223T0015 - COMMON STREET SEWER MAINS WORKS
The Tender from Keane Civil and Construction was accepted for the Common Street Sewer Main Works Contract in accordance with the specification and documents for Tender 2223T0015 for the lump sum price of $432,414.50.
Council’s Chief Executive Officer was given a delegated authority for variations up to 10% of the contract lump sum, this being $43,242.
This will enable Council to establish an industrial area to unlock the potential value of key employment land in the Goulburn Mulwaree Local Government Area.
QUARTERLY BUDGET REVIEW
Council approved the budget variations contained within the March 2023 Quarterly Review, except for item Q3.38 (Urban Asphalt Program).
The review contains several proposed budget amendments to address various projects, this report can be found within the minutes on Council’s website.
MONTHLY FINANCIAL REPORT
The Monthly Financial Report was received, this report provides details on Council’s actual income and expenditure compared to the estimate of Council’s income and expenditure.
STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS & BANK BALANCES
Council noted the report on the Statement of Investments and Bank Balances.
The amount of investments and bank balances reported to Council as at the end of March 2023 was $119,091,706 meaning that this month’s balance of $115,031,064 equates to a decrease of $4,060,642 in investments and cash held.
SUSTAINABILITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES - 4 MAY 2023
Council received the Sustainability Advisory Committee meeting minutes from the meeting held on the 4 May 2023.
Council adopted the five cities power pledge items recommended by the Sustainability Advisory Committee. These items can be found within the minutes on Council’s website.
Council will review the Driving the Nations funding program and consider applying for funding to install solar power charging stations.
EXTERNAL MEETING MINUTES
That the report from the Chief Executive Officer on the following External Meeting Minutes was received:
- Goulburn Liquor Accord Meeting Minutes 22 February 2023.
- Gunlake Quarry Community Consultative Committee Meeting 24 March 2023.
- Goulburn Mulwaree Youth Council Meeting Minutes 31 March 2023.
- ClubGRANTS Committee Meeting Minutes 2 May 2023.
These minutes can be found within the Council Meeting Minute’s on Council’s website.
COUNCILS OPERATIONAL UPDATE - APRIL 2023
The report from the Chief Executive Officer on the Council’s Operational Update for April 2023 was received and noted. The purpose of this report is to provide a monthly update on Council’s operational activities.
REUSE GOULBURN CONCRETING WORKS AND STEEL SUPPLIER AND INSTALLATION WORKS
In a closed session, Council approved the following for Reuse Goulburn Project at the Goulburn Waste Management Centre:
- Steel Corp Engineering, for the supply and installation of steel works for the estimated sum of $463,000 ex GST.
- MAS Structures Pty Limited, for the supply and installation of concreting works for the sum of $269,204.25 ex GST.
The engagement of these suppliers will assist in the construction of the Reuse Goulburn Project at the Goulburn Waste Management Centre.