Agenda of Council Meeting - 4 February 2020

ORANGE CITY COUNCIL

MINUTES OF THE

Ordinary Council Meeting

HELD IN Council Chamber, Civic Centre, Byng Street, Orange

ON 17 December 2019

COMMENCING AT 7.00pm

Attendance

Cr R Kidd (Mayor), Cr S Romano (Deputy Mayor), Cr K Duffy, Cr J Hamling, Cr J McRae, Cr T Mileto, Cr S Munro, Cr S Nugent, Cr M Previtera, Cr G Taylor, Cr R Turner, Cr J Whitton

Chief Executive Officer, Acting Director Corporate and Commercial Services, Acting Director Development Services, Director Community, Recreation and Cultural Services, Director Technical Services, Manager Corporate and Community Relations, Executive Support Manager

1.1 APOLOGIES

Nil

1.2 LIVESTREAMING AND RECORDING

The Mayor advised that the meeting was being livestreamed and recorded.

1.3 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF COUNTRY

1.4 Declaration of pecuniary interests, significant non-pecuniary interests and less than significant non-pecuniary interests

Cr J McRae declared a pecuniary interest in item 5.6 (Recommendation 3) as she is a Member of the Rainbow City Festival Committee and will leave the Chamber during that item.

Crs Kidd, Taylor and Whitton declared a pecuniary interest in Item 5.8 as they are Board Members of OCTEC and will leave the chamber during that item.

Cr Nugent declared a non-significant non pecuniary interest in Item 5.8 as an Executive at OCTEC and will remain in the Chamber.

2 Mayoral Minutes

2.1 Centroc and Central NSW Joint Organisation Meetings November 2019

TRIM Reference: 2019/2719

RESOLVED - 19/622 Cr J Whitton/Cr S Munro

That the Mayoral Report from the Board meetings for Centroc and Central NSW Joint Organisation Meeting held 27 November 2019 and the Round table discussion with Ministers at Parliament House 28 November held in Canberra be noted and;

1 Councillors and staff be asked to take the tourism data survey for the region; and

2 Council receive a report on joining the Murray Darling Association.

For: Cr Kidd, Cr Duffy, Cr Hamling, Cr Mileto, Cr Munro, Cr Nugent, Cr Previtera, Cr Romano, Cr Taylor, Cr Turner, Cr Whitton

Against: Cr McRae

Absent: Nil

GOOD NEWS FOLDER

1 Letter from Mr Tim O’Meagher thanking Council for a putting in a concrete footpath in Nile Street. He also said full marks to the workers who did the job in a co-operative and competent manner.

3 Confirmation of Minutes of Previous Meeting

RESOLVED - 19/623 Cr K Duffy/Cr S Nugent

That the Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting of Orange City Council held on 3 December 2019 (copies of which were circulated to all members) be and are hereby confirmed as a true and accurate record of the proceedings of the Council meeting held on 3 December 2019.

For: Unanimous

Against: Nil

Absent: Nil

MATTER ARISING

Cr Duffy requested an update on correspondence sent to State and Federal Governments to build more dams.

4 Notices of Motion/Notices of Rescission

4.1 Notice of Motion - Lachlan Valley Rail Support

TRIM Reference: 2019/2702

RESOLVED - 19/624 Cr S Munro/Cr S Nugent

That Orange City Council provide support to the Lachlan Valley Railway Society, in the form of administrative assistance, for sourcing and making grant applications, to carry out restoration and redevelopment projects at the East Fork Rail Precinct.

For: Unanimous

Against: Nil

Absent: Nil

5 General Reports

5.1 Recommendations and Resolutions from Policy Committees

TRIM Reference: 2019/2699

RESOLVED - 19/625 Cr J Hamling/Cr S Nugent

1 That the resolutions made by the Planning and Development Committee at its meeting held on 3 December 2019 be noted.

2 That the resolutions made by the Infrastructure Policy Committee at its meeting held on 3 December 2019 be noted.

3 That the resolutions made by the Sport and Recreation Policy Committee at its meeting held on 3 December 2019 be noted.

4 That the resolutions made by the Environmental Sustainability Policy Committee at its meeting held on 3 December 2019 be noted.

5 That the resolutions made by the Finance Policy Committee at its meeting held on 3 December 2019 be noted.

6 That the resolutions made by the Services Policy Committee at its meeting held on 3 December 2019 be noted.

For: Unanimous

Against: Nil

Absent: Nil

MATTER ARISING

Cr Nugent commented on the Housing Summit recently held and said that it was a positive and proactive session. He would like to see more of these forums.

5.2 Statement of Investments - November 2019

TRIM Reference: 2019/2756

RESOLVED - 19/626 Cr S Munro/Cr J McRae

That Council resolves:

1 To note the Statement of Investments as at 30 November 2019.

2 To adopt the certification of the Responsible Accounting Officer.

For: Unanimous

Against: Nil

Absent: Nil

5.3 Development Application DA 282/2019(1) - 5 Don Peters Place, Clifton Grove

TRIM Reference: 2019/2773

RESOLVED - 19/627 Cr S Nugent/Cr K Duffy

That Council consents to development application DA 282/2019(1) for Secondary Dwelling at Lot 489 DP 261831 - 5 Don Peters Place, Clifton Grove pursuant to the conditions of consent in the attached Notice of Approval.

Division of Voting
Voted For	Cr R Kidd (Mayor), Cr S Romano (Deputy Mayor), Cr K Duffy, Cr J Hamling, Cr J McRae, Cr T Mileto, Cr S Munro, Cr S Nugent, Cr M Previtera, Cr G Taylor, Cr R Turner, Cr J Whitton
Voted Against	Nil
Absent	Nil

5.4 Code of Conduct Complaint Reporting

TRIM Reference: 2019/2201

RESOLVED - 19/628 Cr K Duffy/Cr S Nugent

That the report on Code of Conduct Complaint Reporting be acknowledged.

For: Unanimous

Against: Nil

Absent: Nil

5.5 Cr Jason Hamling - Australian Airports Association Conference Report

TRIM Reference: 2019/2738

RESOLVED - 19/629 Cr J Hamling/Cr S Romano

That the report by Cr Jason Hamling on the Australian Airports Association Conference 2019 be noted.

For: Unanimous

Against: Nil

Absent: Nil

5.6 Request for Financial Assistance - Major Event Sponsorship - February 2020 to April 2020

TRIM Reference: 2019/2592

Cr J McRae declared a pecuniary interest in this item as she is a member of the Rainbow City Festival Committee, left the Chamber, and did not participate in the voting or debate on Resolution 3.

(Recommendation 3 was dealt with first.)

RESOLVED - 19/630 Cr S Nugent/Cr J Hamling

3 That funding of $5,000.00 be made from the Event Sponsorship Program to the Rainbow City Festival Committee (Rainbow City Festival 2020).

For: Cr Kidd, Cr Duffy, Cr Hamling, Cr Mileto, Cr Nugent, Cr Previtera, Cr Taylor, Cr Turner, Cr Whitton

Against: Cr Romano, Cr Munro

Absent: Cr McRae

** Cr McRae returned to the Chamber. **

RESOLVED - 19/631 Cr K Duffy/Cr S Nugent

That Council resolves:

1 That funding of $3,000 be made from the Major Promotions Event Funding Program to Wangarang Industries (Wangarang Charity Golf Challenge 2020).

2 That funding of $1,000.00 be made from the Event Sponsorship Program to Bite Riot on behalf of Orange Apples (Orange Apple Festival 2020).

4 That funding of $5,000.00 (on the condition that they are able to find alternative funding ($15K) or reduce costs) be made from the Event Sponsorship Program to JAM Orange Inc (JAM Saturday 2020).

For: Unanimous

Against: Nil

Absent: Nil

5.7 Request for Financial Assistance - Temporary Sports Facility - Orange and District Softball Association

TRIM Reference: 2019/2697

RESOLVED - 19/632 Cr J Hamling/Cr S Nugent

That a donation of $1,000.00 be made from Council's Sports Participant Program to the Orange and District Softball Association (Portable Disabled Toilets).

For: Unanimous

Against: Nil

Absent: Nil

5.8 Request for Financial Assistance - Post Exhibition - McCormack Barber Party Under the Stars New Year's Eve Community Celebrations

TRIM Reference: 2019/2767

Crs R Kidd, Cr G Taylor and Cr J Whitton declared a pecuniary interest in this item as Board members of OCTEC, left the Chamber, and did not participate in the voting or debate on this item.

Cr S Nugent declared a less than significant non-pecuniary interest in this item as an executive at OCTEC and remained in the Chamber.

RESOLVED - 19/633 Cr J Hamling/Cr S Munro

That Council resolves that funding for the amount of $20,000.00 be made from the Event Sponsorship Program Fund to the McCormack Barber Party Under the Stars New Year’s Eve Community Celebrations (event promotion).

For: Unanimous

Against: Nil

Absent: Nil

** Cr Kidd, Cr Whitton and Cr Taylor returned to the meeting. **

5.9 Strategic Policy Review

TRIM Reference: 2019/2704

RESOLVED - 19/634 Cr K Duffy/Cr R Turner

That Council resolves to place the following draft Strategic Policies on public exhibition, providing an opportunity for review and comment, for a minimum of 28 days:

· ST095 – Debt Recovery

· ST132 – Overdraft Facilities

· ST042 – Investment of Council Funds

· ST005 – Loan Guarantee

For: Unanimous

Against: Nil

Absent: Nil

5.10 Release of Restriction on the Use of Land for Lot 4 DP 1185665.

TRIM Reference: 2019/2745

RESOLVED - 19/635 Cr K Duffy/Cr J Hamling

That Council resolves to release the restriction on the use of land, described as Lot 4 DP 1185665, preventing access to and across the Northern Distributor Road, subject to the approval of a development application on the allotment.

For: Unanimous

Against: Nil

Absent: Nil

6 Closed Meeting

In accordance with the Local Government Act 1993, and the Local Government (General) Regulation 2005, in the opinion of the General Manager, the following business is of a kind as referred to in Section 10A(2) of the Act, and should be dealt with in a Confidential Session of the Council meeting closed to the press and public.

In response to a question from the Mayor, the Chief Executive Officer advised that no written submissions had been received relating to any item listed for consideration by the Closed Meeting of Council.

The Mayor extended an invitation to any member of the public present at the meeting to make a presentation to the Council as to whether the meeting should be closed for a particular item.

RESOLVED - 19/636 Cr S Munro/Cr J Whitton

That Council adjourn into a Closed Meeting and members of the press and public be excluded from the Closed Meeting, and access to the correspondence and reports relating to the items considered during the course of the Closed Meeting be withheld unless declassified by separate resolution. This action is taken in accordance with Section 10A(2) of the Local Government Act, 1993 as the items listed come within the following provisions:

6.1 Tender - Construction of Shiralee Creek Gravity Sewer Main

This item is classified CONFIDENTIAL under the provisions of Section 10A(2) of the Local Government Act 1993, which permits the meeting to be closed to the public for business relating to (c) information that would, if disclosed, confer a commercial advantage on a person with whom the Council is conducting (or proposes to conduct) business.

6.2 Request to Write Off Debt - Landing Fees

This item is classified CONFIDENTIAL under the provisions of Section 10A(2) of the Local Government Act 1993, which permits the meeting to be closed to the public for business relating to (b) the personal hardship of any resident or ratepayer.

6.3 Request to Write Off Debt - Landing Fees (2)

This item is classified CONFIDENTIAL under the provisions of Section 10A(2) of the Local Government Act 1993, which permits the meeting to be closed to the public for business relating to (b) the personal hardship of any resident or ratepayer.

6.4 Water Security Projects

For: Unanimous

Against: Nil

Absent: Nil

The Mayor declared the Ordinary Meeting of Council adjourned for the conduct of the Closed Meeting at 9.05pm.

The Mayor declared the Ordinary Meeting of Council resumed at 9.10pm.

7 Resolutions from Closed Meeting

The Acting Director Corporate and Commercial Services read out the following resolutions made in the Closed Meeting of Council.

6.1 Tender - Construction of Shiralee Creek Gravity Sewer Main

TRIM Reference: 2019/2695

RESOLVED - 19/637 Cr S Munro/Cr R Turner

That the Council resolves:

1 That Tender F3163-6 for the Construction of Shiralee Creek Gravity Sewer main, be awarded to EL Civil Engineering Pty Ltd for their tendered price of $957,033.50 (Ex GST)

2 That permission be granted for the use of the Council Seal on any relevant document if required.

For: Unanimous

Against: Nil

Absent: Nil

6.2 Request to Write Off Debt - Landing Fees

TRIM Reference: 2019/2649

RESOLVED - 19/638 Cr S Munro/Cr S Romano

That Council resolves not to write off the debt for Debtor Account 150 008 804, and the Chief Executive Officer be authorised to agree on a satisfactory payment plan.

For: Unanimous

Against: Nil

Absent: Nil

6.3 Request to Write Off Debt - Landing Fees (2)

TRIM Reference: 2019/2778

RESOLVED - 19/639 Cr S Nugent/Cr J Hamling

That Council resolves not to write off the debt for Debtor Account 150 008 083, and the Chief Executive Officer be authorised to agree on a satisfactory payment plan.

For: Unanimous

Against: Nil

Absent: Nil

6.4 Water Security Projects

TRIM Reference: 2019/2821

RESOLVED - 19/640 Cr S Munro/Cr J Whitton

That Council resolves:

1 To not call tenders for water security construction projects due to the extenuating circumstances provisions outlined in section 55(3)(i) of the Local Government Act.

2 To acknowledge that the reason for not calling tenders is to fast track water security projects that will add to Council’s water resilience in the current drought.

3 To delegate to the Chief Executive Officer the authority to form contracts as required for water security projects as indicated in the report.

For: Unanimous

Against: Nil

Absent: Nil

The Meeting Closed at 9.10PM

This is Page Number 9 and the Final Page of the Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting of Orange City Council held on 17 December 2019.

ORANGE CITY COUNCIL

MINUTES OF THE

Extraordinary Council Meeting

HELD IN Council Chamber, Civic Centre, Byng Street, Orange

ON 14 January 2020

COMMENCING AT 6.57pm

1 Introduction

Attendance

Cr R Kidd (Mayor), Cr S Romano (Deputy Mayor), Cr K Duffy, Cr J McRae, Cr S Munro, Cr S Nugent, Cr G Taylor, Cr R Turner, Cr J Whitton

Chief Executive Officer, Acting Director Corporate and Commercial Services (Redmond), Acting Director Community, Recreation and Cultural Services (Cooke), Acting Director Development Services (Johnston), Director Technical Services, Governance Coordinator, Manager Water & Sewerage (Strategic), Operations Manager.

**One minute silence was observed for the passing of Ian Walker.

1.1 APOLOGIES

RECOMMENDATION

That the apologies be accepted from Cr J Hamling, Cr T Mileto & Cr M Previtera for the Council Meeting of Orange City Council on 14 January 2020.

1.2 LIVESTREAMING AND RECORDING

The Mayor advised that the meeting was being livestreamed and recorded.

1.4 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF COUNTRY

The Mayor conducted the Acknowledgement of Country.

1.5 Declaration of pecuniary interests, significant non-pecuniary interests and less than significant non-pecuniary interests

Nil

THE MAYOR DECLARED THE ORDINARY MEETING OF COUNCIL ADJOURNED FOR THE CONDUCT OF THE OPEN FORUM AT 7.00PM.

OPEN FORUM

Item 2.1 Water Security For Orange

Kerry Rains spoke regarding a water bores education program.

*Cr Duffy arrived at the meeting with the time being 7.01pm.

THE MAYOR DECLARED THE ORDINARY MEETING OF COUNCIL RESUMED AT 7.03PM

2 Notices of Motion/Notices of Rescission

2.1 Water Security for Orange

TRIM Reference: 2020/13

MOTION Cr K Duffy/Cr G Taylor

1 That residents be advised of all details immediately of our water supply and proposed details of Level 6 Water Restrictions.

THE MOTION ON BEING PUT TO THE MEETING WAS LOST

For: Cr Duffy, Cr Romano, Cr Whitton, Cr Taylor

Against: Cr Munro, Cr Turner, Cr McRae, Cr Kidd, Cr Nugent

Absent: Cr Hamling, Cr Mileto, Cr Previtera

RESOLVED - 20/001 Cr K Duffy/Cr G Taylor

2 That Council provide time-of-day flexibility for Sunday watering, and allow watering between 6am-8am and 6pm-8pm for a 1 month trial.

For: Cr Duffy, Cr Romano, Cr Whitton, Cr Taylor, Cr Kidd, Cr Munro, Cr Turner

Against: Cr McRae, Cr Nugent

Absent: Cr Hamling, Cr Mileto, Cr Previtera

QUESTIONS TAKEN ON NOTICE

Cr Duffy requested information be provided on the following items relating to the Water Security of Orange:

1 What does Level 6 water restrictions contain?

2 What are the 12 projects in place?

3 How many megalitres have we extracted from the Macquarie Pipeline?

4 How much water do we have?

5 How much ‘sludge’ is in the dam?

6 When was the 32 megalitres application submitted to the Minister?

7 Can we answer more questions raised on Facebook?

Cr Romano requested information be provided on the following items relating to the Water Security of Orange:

1 What are the environmental flows and how much?

2 When did the environmental flows stop?

2.2 Cook Park Duck Pond Water

TRIM Reference: 2020/14

RESOLVED - 20/002 Cr K Duffy/Cr G Taylor

That the Cook Park Duck Pond Water be maintained at Full Capacity.

For: Cr Duffy, Cr Romano, Cr Whitton, Cr Taylor, Cr Kidd, Cr Munro, Cr Turner, Cr McRae, Cr Nugent

Against: Nil

Absent: Cr Hamling, Cr Mileto, Cr Previtera

QUESTION TAKEN ON NOTICE

Cr Nugent requested information be provided on watering of Trees and what is being done to maintain the Trees at Cook Park.

2.3 Aquatic Centre Admission Fee - Australia Day 2020

TRIM Reference: 2020/15

RESOLVED - 20/003 Cr K Duffy/Cr G Taylor

That Council allow free admission to the Orange Aquatic Centre for Australia Day being 26^th January 2020.

For: Cr Duffy, Cr Romano, Cr Whitton, Cr Taylor, Cr Kidd, Cr Munro, Cr Turner, Cr McRae, Cr Nugent

Against: Nil

Absent: Cr Hamling, Cr Mileto, Cr Previtera

QUESTION TAKEN ON NOTICE

Cr Romano requested information be provided on the Duck droppings at the Aquatic Centre being transferred into the pools by patrons walking through them.

QUESTION TAKEN ON NOTICE

Cr Duffy requested information be provided on whether the Aquatic Centre or pools are closed to the public on Monday or Tuesday night from 5.30pm for squad training or Thursday nights for water polo.

3 Closed Meeting

Nil

The Meeting Closed at 8.20pm

This is Page Number 4 and the Final Page of the Minutes of the Extraordinary Meeting of Orange City Council held on 14 January 2020.

Council Meeting 4 February 2020

4 Notices of Motion/Notices of Rescission

4.1 Waste Water Recycling Strategy

RECORD NUMBER: 2020/92

I, CR Joanne McRae wish to move the following Notice of Motion at the Council Meeting of 4 February 2020:

Motion

That Council investigate a municipal waste water recycling strategy to supplement the City’s water supply.

Background

Orange has led in stormwater harvesting to contribute to our water supply, with credit owed to previous Councils for this innovation. Stormwater harvesting has planned expansions, and there are also a number of proposed pipelines and regional network options for water supply connections to secure water supply.

Considering the current water crisis, and expected ongoing water security issues, it is time to consider opportunities to recycle waste water into the water supply system in Orange, a source which is not reliant on other councils, catchments or rainfall. Recycling of waste water has been done in other places, notably Singapore, London, Qatar, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and Orange County California, but would be a first for an inland city in Australia. South-East Queensland and Perth have implemented some wastewater recycling to supplement water supplies, and during this drought Tamworth City Council has been looking at options for recycled wastewater.

It is understood that reclamation is uneconomical in some circumstances, and that our community may have concerns about the hygiene impacts of recycled waste water introduction into the potable water supply. As proven through Stormwater Harvesting Scheme, and in the current low-consumptive use through effective demand management and awareness campaigns, our community is aware of the need to preserve potable water supplies. It is time for Orange City Council to again lead in innovation in water security, and take this next step forward to supplement our water supply for the future.

Uses may include:

· Drinking (potable) water

· Non-drinking uses in households, watering golf courses and recreational parks

· Industrial uses

· Agriculture, horticulture, forestry, pasture, flowers, viticulture

· Fire fighting

· Groundwater recharge

· Environmental flows and wetlands

Signed Cr Joanne McRae

STAFF COMMENT

The majority of Orange Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) treated effluent is currently recycled under agreement by Cadia Holdings in their Cadia Valley Operations (CVO). The balance is discharged under licence to Blackmans Swamp Creek.

This agreement gives CVO access to the first 10 ML/day with the ability to take up to 13 ML/day (the capacity of the transfer system) if the excess above 10 ML/day is not required by Council. The agreement therefore provides CVO with access to the first 3,650 ML/year. Noting that in dry periods of very low demands it is not unusual to only process 6ML/day and more typically 7.5ML/day at the STP.

Over the last 5 years, Council has supplied CVO with an average of 2,124 ML/year of treated effluent. This ranged from 644 ML (10.4%) in 2016/17 (a very wet year) to 3,073 ML (92.8%) in 2018/19 and averaged 5.8 ML/day over the 5 year period.

CVO currently recycles up to 85% of their daily water demands and uses the treated effluent from Orange as part of its top up water supply. This is of particular value during dry periods and hence the variability of demand during wet years. The 2ML/day they have released back to the city for environmental flows from 1 November 2019 through to 26 January 2020 equates to 200ML of water that they have had to source internally. Cadia’s contribution has increased Orange’s water security by extending the possible introduction of Level 6 restrictions by up to 3 weeks.

Council’s Integrated Water Cycle Management (IWCM) Study (May 2013) outlines and assesses a number of treated effluent reuse options for Orange. The long list of treated effluent reuse recommendations from the 2013 IWCM include the following:

· Indirect Potable Reuse (IPR) Schemes – this scheme would entail advanced treatment of the municipal wastewater to a very high standard with this reclaimed water then being transferred to Suma Park Dam where it would mix with raw water. The advanced treatment stage must address both the acute and chronic risks associated with introducing the reclaimed water into a drinking water supply.

· Supplementing flow in Blackmans Swamp Creek – treated effluent could be used to supplement flow in Blackmans Swamp Creek/Summer Hill Creek to offset the potential impacts of additional stormwater harvesting. This option in itself does not provide an additional water source or increase the secure yield unless it enables more stormwater harvesting to occur. It may assist getting approval/licencing for future harvesting strategies (e.g. Blackmans Swamp Creek Stormwater Harvesting Stage 2). Treated effluent could also be used to supplement environmental flow release licence requirements.

· Dual Reticulation – the dual water supply (or “purple pipe”) scheme in the Ploughmans Valley and North Orange development areas will ultimately supply non-potable water to 4,500 households in the north and west of the city. The original intent of the system was to supply treated municipal sewage effluent to residential properties for toilet flushing and outdoor use. The current system uses harvested stormwater to supply the dual water supply system.

· Dual Water to Parks and Gardens – another option is to supply treated effluent as a non-potable source of water for Parks and Gardens. Issues to be considered for this option are:

o It is a relatively low volume (estimated to be less than 100 ML/year);

o There would be very high reticulation costs as most Parks and Gardens are located within established areas of the City; and

o A very high level of treatment would be required to minimise public health risks as most parks and gardens have unrestricted public access

· Storm Flow Storage at Orange Sewerage Treatment Plant (STP) – this option involves the construction of structures to store some or all of the stormwater affected high flows experienced at the STP which are normally discharged to Blackmans Swamp Creek partially treated. These storm bypass flows could then be returned to the treatment process when the high flows abated.

The main aim of providing storage was to improve the ability of the system to meet recycled water demand (e.g. in the dual water supply scheme or CVO agreement)

· Decentralised STP’s – this option involves decentralised STP’s with local reuse. These would be located in new development areas (e.g. to the south of the City). The option is a longer term solution and does not provide any short term benefit or improvement in secure yield as these areas are not fully developed.

· Greywater reuse – this involves household capturing, treating and reusing wastewater from the laundry and shower/bath. Assuming 30% of existing households adopt greywater reuse, this would equate to an annual saving of around 350 ML/year

Conclusion

The only treated effluent reuse option that was assessed and recommended in the short listed water security options in the 2013 IWCM was Indirect Potable Reuse (IPR) treating 10 ML/day (approximately 1 days demand for Orange under Level 5 water restrictions).

Given the IWCM was developed more than 6 years ago, it is recommended that a comprehensive Feasibility Study be undertaken to assess all treated effluent reuse options.

Once this Study is completed, it will inform a proposed update of Council’s review of the 2013 IWCM. A revised IWCM will assess all other water supply options (e.g. Regional Water Supply Pipelines) in order to make an informed, full assessment of Council’s future strategy for further securing the Orange water supply.

Financial Implications

Accumulated funds in the Water Fund could be used to undertake an Options Feasibility Study on treated effluent reuse for Orange in order to further secure the City’s water supply. Staff will also seek grant funding for such work.

POLICY AND GOVERNANCE IMPLICATIONS

Nil

Council Meeting 4 February 2020

4.2 Notice of Motion - Bushfire Crisis Support

RECORD NUMBER: 2020/106

I, CR Stephen Nugent wish to move the following Notice of Motion at the Council Meeting of 4 February 2020:

Motion

That Council take the following action in relation to this season’s bushfire crisis:

1 Offer assistance to fire-affected Council’s by registering with Local Government NSW’s Local Government Bushfire Recovery Support Group.

2 Organise a community event once the current bushfire season is over to say thank you to the volunteer fire fighters who live in Orange and the surrounding districts.

Background

The national bushfire recovery process currently underway is one of the largest and most significant programs ever undertaken in this history of our country. It involves a huge investment of resources and considerable coordination between local, state and federal governments as well as NGOs, community organisations and individuals wanting to volunteer.

Local Government NSW is playing a role in the coordination efforts and has recently invited member Councils to get involved through the Local Government Recovery Support Group.

“Bushfire-affected councils require a range of resources including logistics and communications, tree management, planning, cleaning, waste services, and engineering and infrastructure support.

LGNSW is a member of the Local Government Bushfire Recovery Support Group. We are collecting and coordinating the offers of support and directing them to the Office of Emergency Management so they can match your offers of supply to the areas where that support is needed, when it is needed.

It is important that all offers of support and coordinated, and duplication minimised. All non-bushfire affected councils offering assistance should register with the Local Government Bushfire Recovery Support Group by calling 02 9246 7709 or recovery@cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au.”

We have been fortunate in that the Orange Local Government Area has survived this bushfire season relatively unscathed. Many other LGAs in NSW have not been so fortunate. One way we could assist the recovery efforts is to partner up with a fire-affected Council in the Central West or other nearby region to identify any support we could provide them with their rebuilding efforts.

Locally, we have many volunteer fire fighters who have spent hundreds of hours fighting fires all around the state, as well as closer to home. Some have been on duty almost continuously since September, with the accompanying toll on their work, personal and family lives. Orange held a community event to thank the fire fighters after the Mt Canobolas fire in 2018. It would seem appropriate to do so again once the current bushfire crisis has fully subsided.

Signed Cr Stephen Nugent

STAFF COMMENT

Staff are able to provide operational and administrative support to affected Councils.

Council has staff who are also members of the Rural Fire Service (RFS). Emergency Services leave can be applied for where an employee is unable to attend work because they are engaged in a voluntary emergency management activity (such as RFS) and meet the criteria under the Local Government (State) Award or Council’s Leave Policy.

Full and part time employees may be eligible for five days paid leave per calendar year from their accrued sick leave balance to participate in emergency services leave in accordance with The Local Government (State) Award (clause 21C). In addition, Council’s Leave Policy also provides that if the emergency is within the Orange Local Government Area, approval may be given for eligible employee to receive up to 5 days per event that will not be deducted from an employee’s sick leave balance to participate in such activity.

In light of the level of recent fires affecting NSW the CEO has broadened the above arrangements so staff may also submit a leave request through their Manager for up to one week additional special leave (paid as emergency services leave, not from sick leave) for fire fighting activities. Requests for additional leave beyond this allowance would be considered on a case by case basis.

Financial Implications

A funding source will need to be identified should financial support be required to support the Local Government Recovery Support Group as well as for the holding of a thank you event.

POLICY AND GOVERNANCE IMPLICATIONS

Nil

Council Meeting 4 February 2020

5 General Reports

5.1 Strategic Policy Review

RECORD NUMBER: 2019/2775

AUTHOR: Samantha Freeman, Acting Director Corporate and Commercial Services

EXECUTIVE Summary

This report presents policies that have been placed on public exhibition and are now for adoption by Council.

· ST095 – Debt Recovery

· ST132 – Overdraft Facilities

· ST042 – Investment of Council Funds

· ST005 – Loan Guarantee

· ST077 – Water Carting

· ST093 – Purchasing

· ST109 – Buy Local Purchasing

This report also presents policies which has been reviewed and are recommended for placement on public exhibition for a period of 28 days

· ST107 – Outdoor Dining

· ST114 – Whiteway Lighting

· ST142 – Events on Council Owned and Managed Land

· ST143 – Event Cancellation

· ST083 – Access To Information Held by Council

· ST016 – Managing Complaints and Feedback

Link To Delivery/OPerational Plan

The recommendation in this report relates to the Delivery/Operational Plan strategy “17.1 Collaborate - Provide representative, responsible and accountable community governance”.

Financial Implications

Nil

Policy and Governance Implications

Council’s Strategic Policies are reviewed and amended to ensure ongoing compliance with legislation and industry best practice.

Policies of Council are of two types – Strategic Policies are determined by Council, and relate to Councillors and the broader community. The Local Government Act 1993 requires the public exhibition of Policies (if new or include significant changes) and adoption by Council. Operational Policies are determined and implemented by the Chief Executive Officer, and relate to staff and the operations of the organisation.

Recommendation

That Council resolves to:

1 Adopt the following policies:

· ST095 – Debt Recovery

· ST132 – Overdraft Facilities

· ST042 – Investment of Council Funds

· ST005 – Loan Guarantee

· ST077 – Water Carting

· ST093 – Purchasing

· ST109 – Buy Local Purchasing

2 Place the following policies on public exhibition for a period of 28 days:

· ST107 – Outdoor Dining Areas

· ST114 – Whiteway Lighting

· ST142 – Events on Council Owned/Managed Land

· ST143 – Event Cancellation

· ST083 – Access to Information Held By Council

· ST016 – Managing Complaints and Feedback

further considerations

Consideration has been given to the recommendation’s impact on Council’s service delivery; image and reputation; political; environmental; health and safety; employees; stakeholders and project management; and no further implications or risks have been identified.

SUPPORTING INFORMATION

Policies for adoption

On 3 December 2019, Council resolved to exhibit the following Strategic Policies (a summary of amendments is set out below):

ST095 – Debt Recovery

Reference	Update
General	· Formatting updates only.

ST132 – Overdraft Facilities

Reference	Update
General	· Minor Formatting Only.

ST042 – Investment of Council Funds

Reference

Update

General

· Minor Formatting and grammatical changes.

· Change references from General Manager to Chief Executive Officer.

ST093 – Loan Guarantee

Reference

Update

General

· Minor formatting and reference updates.

· Addition of requirement to complete the Checklist annually as part of the Compliance Statement item 3.

· Update to Current Community Strategic Plan strategies

ST077 – Water Carting

Reference	Update
General	Inclusion of reference to Level 5 water restrictions and inclusion of requirements of the Public Health Act 2010 for Water Carter’s requirements.

ST093 – Purchasing

Reference

Update

Objectives

· Extend Council’s existing business principles to give consideration to disability employment where applicable.

General

· Formatting changes.

· Updates to Tendering threshold in accordance with the Local Government Act 1993.

· Reference to updates to the Buy Local Purchasing Policy.

· Inclusion of reference to Risk. Risk assessment to be undertaken for larger purchases or where there is the potential for significant impacts on Council.

· Tendering threshold to be considered in concert with risk assessment to determine if purchases with a lower dollar value should follow tender process under Local Government Act 1993.

· Instruction and guidance on complying with policy will be provided in the Operational Purchasing Policy which will be updated from time to time to reflect improved practices and minimise risk to Council.

ST109 – Buy Local Purchasing

Reference	Update
Policy	· Change of name from Local Preference Purchasing Policy to Buy Local Purchasing Policy.
Objectives	· Updated to include sustainability of local economy by maximising participation of local businesses in the delivery of goods and services and encourage the inclusion of local businesses and employment of local residents.
Applicability	· Updated to apply to all purchases unless exclusions under the Strategic Purchasing Policy apply.
General	· Amendment or addition to definitions: Local Supplier, Regional Supplier, Non-Local Supplier, Local Content and Shop-Front. · Removal of 2% percentage price advantage and replaced with various percentage price advantages to be applied for Local Suppliers and Regional Suppliers (as defined in the Policy), as set out in Table 1, dependent on the monetary threshold purchase amounts. · For tenders, Local Content criterion to be applied when submissions are being evaluated to determine successful tenderer, being a minimum of 5% to a maximum of 10% of the overall assessment criteria. The score associated with this criterion will be a ratio of the Local Content to the overall tendered price.

These policies were placed on public exhibition for a period of 28 days. Only one submission was received in favour of the Buy Local Purchasing Policy from Collins Booksellers Orange strongly urging Council to adopt the policy to support local businesses.

The policies are therefore presented for adoption.

Policies for Exhibition

The following policies have been reviewed and outlined below are changes/updates made to each policy. It is recommended these policies be placed on public exhibition for a period of 28 day to allow for Council and public review and submissions.

ST107 – Outdoor Dining Areas

Reference	Update
General	No Updates required.

ST114 – Whiteway Lighting

Reference	Update
General	Formatting Updates Only.

ST142 – Events on Council Owned/Managed Land

Reference	Update
General	Formatting Updates Only.

ST143 – Event Cancellation

Reference	Update
General	New Strategic Policy.

ST083 – Access To Information Held By Council

It should be noted that the majority of amendments are in accordance with legislative changes to the Government Information (Public Access) Act 2009.

Reference

Update

Procedure

Following amendments to Access to Information Held by Council Procedure:

§ Formatting changes to whole of document.

§ Clause 1.3 – Informal Application - replacement of “Access to Information Application” with “Informal Request for Information form”.

§ Clause 1.4 – Formal Application - replacement of “Access to Information Application” with “Formal Access Application”.

§ Clause 2.2 – Excluded Information – replaced 13 categories of information with 16 categories of information for which there is a conclusive presumption of an overriding public interest against disclosure. Replaced “27” specifically named Acts referred to under overriding secrecy laws with “26” specifically named Acts.

§ Clause 4.2 - Review by Information Commissioner – addition of the words “The Information Commissioner must complete the review, and make any recommendations to Council within 40 working days after the Information Commissioner receives all information it considers necessary to complete the review.”

§ Clause 5.3 - Discount in Processing Charges – addition of the words “A processing charge must not be discounted under financial hardship or special public benefit by more than 50% even if both apply.”

§ Clause 8 – Contracts Register - addition of the words “(including GST)” after “$150,000”.

§ Annexure C – Access to Information Application replaced with Informal Request for Information Form.

§ New Annexure D – Formal Access Application.

Attachments

1 FOR ADOPTION - Strategic Policy - ST095 - Debt Recovery, D19/72560 ⇩

2 FOR ADOPTION - Strategic Policy - ST132 - Overdraft Facilities, D19/72607 ⇩

3 FOR ADOPTION - Strategic Policy - ST042 - Investment of Council Funds, D19/72626 ⇩

4 FOR ADOPTION - Strategic Policy - ST005 - Loan Guarantee, D19/73489 ⇩

5 FOR ADOPTION - Strategic Policy - ST077 - Water Carting, D19/68074 ⇩

6 FOR ADOPTION - Strategic Policy - ST093 - Purchasing, D19/70374 ⇩

7 FOR ADOPTION - Strategic Policy - ST109 - Buy Local Purchasing, D19/70377 ⇩

8 SUBMISSION - Buy Local Purchasing Policy - Phillip and Margaret Schwebel - Collins Book Sellers, IC20/80 ⇩

9 DRAFT - Strategic Policy - ST107 - Outdoor Dining Areas Policy and Guidelines, D19/74113 ⇩

10 DRAFT - Strategic Policy - ST114 - Whiteway Lighting, D19/74475 ⇩

11 DRAFT - Strategic Policy - ST142 - Events on Council Owned Managed Land Policy, D20/3116 ⇩

12 DRAFT - Strategic Policy - ST143 - Event Cancellation, D20/3485 ⇩

13 DRAFT - Strategic Policy - ST083 - Access to Information held by Council, D20/1216 ⇩

Council Meeting 4 February 2020

5.2 Banjo Paterson Memorial Park - Heritage Landscape Plan

RECORD NUMBER: 2020/32

AUTHOR: Alison Russell, Community Museum and Heritage Manager

EXECUTIVE Summary

Orange City Council applied for an Office of Environment and Heritage Activation Grant in 2018 to reinvigorate Banjo Paterson Memorial Park, Orange and create connections with our local and cultural heritage. This report provides an overview of the outcomes to date and future management of the Park.

Link To Delivery/OPerational Plan

The recommendation in this report relates to the Delivery/Operational Plan strategy “4.3 Live - Maintain and renew cultural facilities and programs”.

Financial Implications

Nil

Policy and Governance Implications

Nil

Recommendation

1 That the report on Banjo Paterson Memorial Park – Heritage Landscape Plan be acknowledged.

2 That the Banjo Paterson Memorial Park Heritage Landscape Plan be placed on exhibition for community comment.

further considerations

Consideration has been given to the recommendation’s impact on Council’s service delivery; image and reputation; political; environmental; health and safety; employees; stakeholders and project management. No further implications or risks have been identified.

SUPPORTING INFORMATION

Brief history of the park

Banjo Paterson Memorial Park is said to be the birthplace of famous Poet Andrew Barton (Banjo) Paterson. After Banjo died in 1941, WR Glasson put up a proposal that a memorial be erected to Paterson in the vicinity of his birthplace. In 1947, a monument was unveiled by Paterson’s wife Alice in front of a crowd of 400 people, including the poet’s daughter and granddaughters. The reserve no. 75467 was gazetted on 18 April 1952.

Located 5km east of Orange, Banjo Paterson Park was originally a small part of land which was owned by Simeon Lord, a highly successful emancipist entrepreneur. Upon his death, it was granted to six trustees of the will, who then sold the land to the Templer Family.

John Templer completed construction of the mill in 1848. The three-storey brick mill was made from bluestone foundations with ornamental lintels and sills of sandstone. A brick chimney stood on the south-west corner. Power was supplied by a steam-driven beam engine. The Mill closed in 1869. The mill remained unused for many years and in c1970 the mill was declared dangerous and was demolished in 1971.

In 1977, Orange City Council took over management of the park when the Canobolas Shire was abolished. In 1984 the Apex Club of Orange obtained a grant to employ labourers to put gravel on the access road, install seating, BBQs and low fencing around the carpark.

In 1988, new plantings and signage were installed in conjunction with the Apex Club and in 2003 a Conservation Management Plan was undertaken by Professor Ian Jack.

For several decades the park consisted of the remnant footings of the former Narrambla Steam Flour Mill, an access roadway, fenced car park, a series of grass covered mounds indicating possible sites of the homestead Banjo was born in, outbuildings and dwellings, remnant exotic tree plantings including orchard rows and a bronze statue of Banjo Paterson. More recently the Banjo Paterson Memorial was relocated from the Civic Centre to the park due to the building of the Orange Visitor Centre and Museum.

Due to the recent popularity of Banjo Paterson through the Banjo Paterson Australian Poetry Festival held in February each year, public interest in the poet and his place of birth has generated larger visitor numbers to the region.

Grant outline

In 2018, Orange City Council submitted an Activation Grant to the Heritage Office. A total of $71,278.00 was received.

The grant outline proposed that a Heritage Landscape Plan be developed depicting appropriate locations for a picnic shelter with a BBQ, separate toilet, Banjo Poetry Walk marked with large granite flagstones and engraved with verse from Banjo’s literary works, improved interpretation of the site, exposure of the footings of the Narrambla Steam Flour Mill (Templer’s Mill) footings and install connecting pathways.

An integral component of the Park is the Narrambla Steam Flour Mill footings. It is essential to conserve the remains of the original mill footings and make safe, presentable and legible for visitors, and that controlled access to the footings be achieved with the least visual intrusion and damage to the historic landscape character of the site.

Progress to date – Stage 1

Landscape Architects (Sala4d) were engaged to consult with interested stakeholders to develop a Heritage Landscape Masterplan for Banjo Paterson Park.

Community consultation identified the following ideals:

· Opportunities to understand the industrial heritage of Orange

· Opportunities to appreciate the life story of Banjo Patterson and celebrate his poetry

· A place to learn about Orange’s cultural heritage

· Simple design elements with well-defined paths of travel

· Reinforcing native and non-native vegetation

· Basic park amenity (paths, seats, bins, BBQ, shelter, toilets)

· Interpretive information

Community Consultation identified the following values

· The site is significant as Orange’s first industrial site

· Historically the mill’s chimney was recognisable in the landscape

· The site offers opportunity for Banjo Patterson and his poetry to be better appreciated

· The historical attributes of the site offer great tourism potential and wider regional linkages to Molong and Yeoval connecting the story of Banjo Patterson

The Heritage Landscape Plan is the foundation document for Banjo Paterson Park and includes the detailed design of the interpretation and park elements that will provide an opportunity to develop the sense of character of the site.

The Heritage Landscape Plan was developed using the recommendations and conservation policies developed by Professor Ian Jack in the Banjo Paterson Park, Narrambla Orange Conservation Management Plan 2004. The Heritage Landscape Plan will ensure the heritage significance of Banjo Paterson Park is managed appropriately, interpreted and safeguarded for future generations.

Components of the Grant completed

A trained archaeologist has been engaged to supervise a community engagement project of careful cleaning and removal of dirt build up and broken bricks that were obscuring the footings of the mill. The work was undertaken from 2 – 8 November 2019 and engaged up to 60 community members, local school groups, work for the dole team and library staff using manual labour to clear the debris.

Mill Footings before Archaeological Dig

Community Archaeological Dig – 2 November 2019

Work for the dole team assisting with Archaeological Dig - 6 November 2019

Mill Footings after Archaeological Dig

On completion of the Archaeological dig, the bluestone foundations, the brick course, some internal wall structures and the boiler housing were revealed. Advice from a conservator will be required on how the integrity of the footings can be conserved into the future.

A formal path will be installed around the footings using the crushed bricks from the demolished mill, providing an appropriated route for visitors and school groups to view the structure. The formal path will discourage direct access onto the ruins of the mill.

The archaeology of the site: the Old Mill Footings and potentially the birthplace of Banjo Paterson are highly significant.

As part of the Heritage Office - Activation Grant 2018, quotations are currently being sought for:

· Installation of picnic shelter and BBQ (northern), earth moving and footings for the cement slab

· Formation of a pathway around the mill footings

· Installation of Banjo Poetry - granite Flagstones

· Installation of interpretative signage – (draft interpretative text in development)

· Development of educational resources for use by school students.

NB. Further research into the toilet component of the grant suggested it was not feasible to install a toilet as part of this grant due to no water or sewerage on site. Additional investigations are required for the best option for a toilet at the park.

The Heritage Landscape Plan outlines a program of work to be completed in two stages, i.e. that of the current Activation Grant 2018 and a further stage – Stage 2. Cost estimates will need to be sourced for components of the grant and funding sought.

The draft Heritage Landscape plan is attached for the Council’s information.

Stage 2

· Replace existing copper log vehicular fencing with more appropriate materials – Policy 7.6.2

· Reconfigure parking area to more efficient design with space for buses to turn – Policy 7.6.2, 7.6.9

· Provide interpretative panels near entrance to site and interpretation for other elements of the park

· New toilet amenity building with rainwater tank - Policy 7.6.2

· Installation of picnic shelter and BBQ (southern) - Policy 7.6.2

· Install new path network – Policy 7.6.7

· Provide gabion basket corner markers to define corners of the pathway around mill

· Relocated Banjo bust to path junction

· Additional plantings of meadow and additional trees – Policy 7.6.5, 7.6.9

· Undertake archaeological work to ascertain extent of the historic homestead footings and provide interpretation – Policy 7.6.8

· Conservation advice on preserving the mill footings

Stages 1 and 2 will enhance the importance of our local history utilising themes such as early Australian agriculture, flour milling, and important people such as Simeon Lord, Banjo Paterson and John Templer.

Banjo Paterson is a notable figure who captured the essence of Australian life in his poems which have become an integral part of Australian Lore. Outcomes of this will be an activated Banjo Paterson Park creating community connections with our cultural heritage. This project will provide important social, community, tourism and educational benefits.

It is recommended that the draft Heritage Landscape Plan go on public exhibition for community comment.

Attachments

1 Banjo Paterson Park - Heritage Landscape Plan - Final Draft, D20/2007 ⇩

Council Meeting 4 February 2020

5.3 Request for Financial Assistance Revisited - Rotary Club of Orange North - Lead the Way for Guide Dogs

RECORD NUMBER: 2020/104

AUTHOR: Samantha Freeman, Acting Director Corporate and Commercial Services

EXECUTIVE Summary

Council can only assist other organisations financially (in cash or in kind) in accordance with section 356 of the Local Government Act 1993.

Council has in place a policy for donations made under section 356 of the Act. This report provides extra information about the request from the Rotary Club of Orange North for Council to reconsider paying a donation that was approved, but not paid, in 2018/19 (the last financial year).

Link To Delivery/OPerational Plan

The recommendation in this report relates to the Delivery/Operational Plan strategy “15.2 Collaborate - Support community organisations and groups to deliver services and programs”.

Financial Implications

The overall Small Donations budget for 2019/20 is as follows:

Small Donations Program	Adopted Budget	Actual or Committed	Remaining Balance
Quarter 1	$35,000.00	$33,705.42	See Note 1
Quarter 2 School Prize Giving	$11,000.00 $4,000.00	$9,262.87 $4,000.00	See Note 2
Quarter 3	$15,000.00	$11,249.90	$6,781.81
Quarter 4	$15,000.00	$0.00	$15,000.00
Orange Harness Racing Club - Annual to 2025/26	$20,000.00	$20,000.00	$0.00
TOTAL	$100,000.00	$78,218.19	$21,781.81

Notes

1 Balance of Quarter 1 ($35,000.00 - $33,705.42 = $1,294.58) rolled over to Quarter 2.

2 Balance of Quarter 2 ($16,294.58 - $13,262.87 = $3,031.71) rolled over to Quarter 3.

3 $6,781.81 remains in Quarter 3 for consideration of this application.

Policy and Governance Implications

Nil

Recommendation

That a donation of $5,027.42 be made from the Small Donations Program to the Rotary Club of Orange North (Lead the Way for Guide Dogs).

further considerations

SUPPORTING INFORMATION

At is meeting on 16 October 2018, Council resolved:

RESOLVED - 18/478 Cr J McRae/Cr S Nugent

The Council resolves:

1 Council acknowledge that the North Orange Rotary have requested that the Council meet the Club’s expenses for hire of the Orange Civic Theatre under the Donations Policy, amounting to a total of $5027.42.

2 That North Orange Rotary will pay these expenses to the Council on presentation of an invoice.

3 That, subject to payment against the Council invoice:

a that the Council approve a donation of $1,575.39 to the North Orange Rotary from the General Donation Fund into a special account to be opened by North Orange Rotary for the training of a Guide Dog for a resident of the Orange LGA (which includes the $1,000 already approved by the Council);

b that the Council approve a donation of $1,726.01 to the North Orange Rotary from the 3rd Quarter Emergent Fund into a special account to be opened by North Orange Rotary for the training of a Guide Dog for a resident of the Orange LGA;

c that the Council approve a donation of $1,726.02 to the North Orange Rotary from the 4th Quarter Emergent Fund into a special account to be opened by North Orange Rotary for the training of a Guide Dog for a resident of the Orange LGA;

d that North Orange Rotary write to the Council formally acknowledging the terms of this donation and its commitment to (1) establishing the account; (2) spending funds from this account solely for the purpose of training of a Guide Dog for a resident of the Orange LGA; (3) advise Council immediately when and if a suitable trained dog is provided to an Orange resident and the funds paid to the Guide Dogs NSW/ACT; (4) acknowledge that the funding for the training is provided by the North Orange Rotary and Orange City Council; (5) return the funds to Council immediately if for any reason the funds cannot be expended on a guide dog for a person who is a resident of Orange so that the Council can reallocate those funds to support other people with disabilities in Orange.

At its meeting of 3 December 2019, the Finance Policy Committee considered the request to review this determined donation. Here are the comments from the report to that meeting:

Rotary Club of Orange North - Lead the Way Concert for the Guide Dogs

Purpose of the Request

In the last financial year, Council resolved a conditional donation to the Rotary Club of Orange North for the Lead the Way Concert for the Guide Dogs at a total of $5,027.42 if the Club did certain things. This donation was rejected by the contact person on the application.

After that rejection, the Club attempted to contact Council several times to discuss this conditional donation but a meeting was not able to be set before the end of that financial year.

The Club has now raised all money for this project itself, but at the cost of forwarding projects (such as the Driver Simulator).

Given that Council did intend to give this donation, the Board would not have rejected the conditional donation and the money has been raised at the opportunity cost of other projects, it is recommended that Council now give this donation to the Club.

After considering this request on 3 December 2019, Council determined:

RESOLVED - 19/601 Cr R Kidd/Cr J Hamling

That the request from Rotary Club of Orange North for a donation of $5,027.42 be deferred until further detail is provided.

Further Detail

1 The financial statements of the Rotary Club of North Orange have been sighted and it is confirmed that Club itself donated $6,723.82 to the project to reach the total cost for this project.

2 The financial statements show that the project was in a separate account solely for this project.

3 The dog is currently being trained in Orange.

4 There is remaining budget in Quarter 3 that will cover this donation and not affect the budget for Quarter 4.

5 While determined in 2018/19, paying in 2019/20 is not outside the current policy in relation to more than one donation to the same applicant as the policy now allows the applicant to apply more than once for new emerging projects or new community events.

Attachments

1 Request to Revisit Guide Dogs Application From Last Financial Year - Orange North Rotary Club, D19/69908 ⇩

Council Meeting 4 February 2020

5.4 Desilting of Spring Creek Dam

RECORD NUMBER: 2020/126

AUTHOR: Ian Greenham, Director Technical Services

EXECUTIVE Summary

The report addresses Councillor Taylor’s request for a report to Council on the feasibility of desilting dams. It is feasible if the Spring Creek Dam is emptied because of a continuing drought and there is a commercial use for the silt.

Link To Delivery/OPerational Plan

The recommendation in this report relates to the Delivery/Operational Plan strategy “8.1 Preserve - Identify and deliver essential water, waste and sewer infrastructure to service the community into the future”.

Financial Implications

The recommendation if enacted is within the reserves of the consolidated water fund.

Policy and Governance Implications

Nil

Recommendation

That; if a commercial case can be identified for approximately 150,000 m³ of silt, then Council seek approvals and plan for desilting of Spring Creek Dam.

further considerations

SUPPORTING INFORMATION

BACKGROUND

A previous report to Council on 5 March 2007 recommended that Council:

1. “Develop a project plan aimed at removing willows from the edges of Spring Creek Dam, including utilisation of external labour via appropriate environmental and/or employment programs, and report back to Council.

2. Recognise that, while de-silting of Spring Creek Dam would assist in providing additional water storage capacity for the city water supply, due to the environmental issues and the extensive time frame involved to gain approval for this work, other more cost-effective solutions be pursued, with the highest priority given to upgrading of Suma Park Dam.”

FURTHER CONSIDERATION

It is generally accepted that desilting a town water supply dam is not a feasible solution to more storage and therefore water security. Most of the points raised in the previous report are still valid today.

The Suma Park Dam upgrade delivered approximately 1,700ML additional storage for approximately $17 million or $10,000/ML or $10/kL.

Provided:

· Spring Creek Dam is empty as recommended as a requirement in the report;

· There is a commercial use for the silt that will transport, store and process it elsewhere;

· That approval process allows the works to proceed without too many conditions;

· Council could stockpile within the dam footprint with a combination of dozer and scraper and load out directly onto a commercial carrier with no double handling for approximately the same cost of $10/m³ or $10/kL (including contingency for temporary hardstand and access).

This would generate an estimated 150,000m³ of silt. Discussions have commenced with both ANL and Cadia. Neither of them utilise silt in their current processes but are considering it.

If one or both are able to take the silt, including supply trucks for transport, then the desilting project becomes feasible for Council to consider. If not, nothing ventured nothing gained. If a commercial use is identified for the silt then Spring Creek Dam could potentially be empty in six to 12 months, under a continuing drought, which would facilitate these works.

Attachments

1 WPC - 15 March 2007 - De-silting Spring Creek Dam, D20/4308 ⇩

2 Preliminary Feasibility Assessment - Spring Creek Dam Desilting - March 2007, D20/4294 ⇩