Agenda of Environmental Sustainability Policy Committee

Environmental Sustainability Policy Committee 2 November 2021

1 Introduction

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

The provisions of Chapter 14 of the Local Government Act, 1993 (the Act) regulate the way in which Councillors and designated staff of Council conduct themselves to ensure that there is no conflict between their private interests and their public role.

The Act prescribes that where a member of Council (or a Committee of Council) has a direct or indirect financial (pecuniary) interest in a matter to be considered at a meeting of the Council (or Committee), that interest must be disclosed as soon as practicable after the start of the meeting and the reasons given for declaring such interest.

As members are aware, the provisions of the Local Government Act restrict any member who has declared a pecuniary interest in any matter from participating in the discussion or voting on that matter, and requires that member to vacate the Chamber.

Council’s Code of Conduct provides that if members have a non-pecuniary conflict of interest, the nature of the conflict must be disclosed. The Code of Conduct also provides for a number of ways in which a member may manage non pecuniary conflicts of interest.

Recommendation

It is recommended that Committee Members now disclose any conflicts of interest in matters under consideration by the Environmental Sustainability Policy Committee at this meeting.

Environmental Sustainability Policy Committee 2 November 2021

2 Committee Minutes

2.1 Minutes of the Environmental Sustainability Community Committee Meeting - 24 September 2021

RECORD NUMBER: 2021/2513

AUTHOR: Lindsay Hall, Sustainability Officer

EXECUTIVE Summary

Environmental Sustainability Community Committee met on 24 September 2021 and the recommendation from that meeting are provided to the Environmental Sustainability Policy Committee for adoption.

Link To Delivery/OPerational Plan

The recommendation in this report relates to the Delivery/Operational Plan strategy “7.1 Preserve - Engage with the community to develop plans for growth and development that value the local environment”.

Financial Implications

Nil

Policy and Governance Implications

Nil

Recommendation

1 That Council acknowledge the reports presented to the Environmental Sustainability Community Committee at its meeting held on 24 September 2021.

2 That Council determine recommendations 3.1 and 4.1 from the minutes of the Environmental Sustainability Community Committee meeting of 24 September 2021.

3 That the minutes of the Environmental Sustainability Community Committee at its meeting held on 24 September 2021 be adopted.

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

Nil

Attachments

1. ESCC Minutes, 24 September 202 1

2. ESCC Agenda, 24 September 2021, D21/68423 ⇩

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ORANGE CITY COUNCIL

MINUTES OF THE

Environmental Sustainability Community Committee

HELD IN Microsoft teams - online

ON 24 September 2021

COMMENCING AT 8am

1 Introduction

Attendance

Cr S Nugent (Chairperson), Cr R Kidd, Ms Shahreen Alford, Mr Robert Alford, Mr Ronald Finch, Mr Andrew Kennedy, Mr Nick King, Dr David Mallard, Ms Melanie McDonell, Mrs Anne Salter, Mr Peter West, Director Development Services, Manager Building and Environment, Water Treatment Manager, Water and Sewerage Strategic Manager.

1.1 Apologies and Leave of Absence

RECOMMENDATION Ms S Alford/Mr A Kennedy

That the apologies be accepted from Mr Cyril Smith, Mr. David Waddell and Ms Kate Willoughby for the Environmental Sustainability Community Committee meeting on 24 September 2021.

1.2 Acknowledgement of Country

The Chairperson conducted an Acknowledgement of Country.

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

Nil

2 Previous Minutes

RECOMMENDATION Mr N King/Ms S Alford

That the Minutes of the Meeting of the Environmental Sustainability Community Committee held on 2 July 2021 (copies of which were circulated to all members) be and are hereby confirmed as a true and accurate record of the proceedings of the Environmental Sustainability Community Committee meeting held on 2 July 2021.

3 Presentations

3.1 Water update

TRIM Reference: 2021/2098

Update on Blackmans Swamp stage 2 by Councils Water and Sewerage Strategic Manager, Wayne Beatty.

A road safety concern was raised for the Northern Distributor at the proposed location of the Blackmans Swamp stage 2. The concern was that drivers may become distracted by the new wetlands which will be located just beside the northern distributor road. Council will take this on board.

An additional safety concern was the pedestrian access form the wetlands to the northern distributor road, the concern largely focused on children using the wetlands tracks and being able to walk onto the busy road. Council advised the large embankment and height difference would make it difficult for anyone to walk up to the road however will take this safety concern into consideration.

RECOMMENDATION Ms S Alford/Mr N King

That Council staff note the road safety concerns along the northern distributor at the Blackmans Swamp stage 2 location.

That the Environmental Sustainable Community Committee acknowledge the verbal report from Council Water and Sewer strategic manager.

3.2 Renewable energy action plan and project implementation

TRIM Reference: 2021/2100

Verbal presentation from Councils Sustianability Officer

Council was fortunate to acquire funding from NSW Sustainable Communities branch of NSW DPIE, for an energy consultant (Chargeworks) to conduct an Energy Action Plan. This plan is currently in draft however some projects to be actioned have already begun including solar panels installed at the Civic Centre, Aquatic Centre, Animal Pound, Food Care building and a ground mount solar system at the showground (Caravan Park).

Council has also actioned an application for the Regional Sports grants to install solar, battery LEDS andheat pump water heaters at Wade Park to improve theenergy efficiency of the facility. If successful this site could reach net-zero emissions and operate on 100% renewable energy.

Additionally Council is currently actioning investigations into the Aquatic Centre’s Gas boiler replacement with the intent to procurment a hyrid gas/heat pump boiler system to better utilise the solar energy produced on-site, reduce emissions, running costs and improve energy efficiency of the facility.

Council has also entered into an agreement with South Street Energy, this contract allows SSE to sell excess solar energy produced by Councils solar systems (e.g. weekends and sunny days where some energy systems may not be operational) This agreement provides a much better business case for Council than simply sending the excess energy to the grid. This is a 2 year trial period for a limited number of sites, with the option to extend.

RECOMMENDATION Mr R Finch/Mr A Kennedy

That the Environmental Sustainable Community Committee acknowledge the verbal report from Councils Sustainability Officer.

3.3 ESCC Legacy report

TRIM Reference: 2021/2102

Report to change workding ‘Project Priority Groups’ to ‘Priority Project Groups’

RECOMMENDATION Cr R Kidd/Ms M McDonell

That the Environmental Sustainable Community Committee endorse the report to go to Council with changes.

4 General Reports

4.1 Biodiversity working group, Terrestrial Biodiversity Mapping Expansion – Orange City LGA

TRIM Reference: 2021/2099

Recommendation Ms S Alford/Mr P West

That the Environmental Sustainable Community Committee encourage Orange City Council to seek funding to continue the biodiversity mapping commenced with the Terrestrial Biodiversity Mapping Expansion – Orange City LGA, including seeking access to private land to assess communities there.

The Meeting Closed at 9.20am.