Published on 21 August 2024
Elected representatives of the community, Councillors, come together to represent the views of the community and make strategic decisions on behalf of the community.
They are responsible for ensuring the Council operates in accordance with legislation, is financially responsible and delivering to the needs of the community within the means of the budget.
They meet regularly to make determinations on matters that impact on you and your community.
Following each meeting we provide a snapshot of the decisions that are made and the information that is tabled.
For a full outline of the meeting and the discussion points, please refer to the agenda and business papers, or listen to a recording of the meeting – that can be found with the agendas and minutes.
Concept application caravan park – 288 Mungo Brush Road, Hawks Nest
Councillors refused an application for a concept development of a caravan park containing 130 short term sites and 93 camp sites at 288 Mungo Brush Road, Hawks Nest.
The concept plan uses approximately half of the site with the rest to be managed in its current state as native forest and woodland.
This application did not provide consent for any built form, detailed plans for buildings and other site facilities and infrastructure will be the subject of future development applications.
A total of 14 submissions were received in relation to the development focusing on the impact the development council have on the wildlife in the area, the impact of traffic, inadequacies of the existing infrastructure and comments supporting the need for more tourist accommodation in the region. The issues raised have been addressed through the assessment of the application.
The application was refused on grounds including that it was contrary to the strategic planning direction set for the area, there were environmental impacts that had not been considered or evaluated and it didn’t comply with the findings of the 2002 North Hawks Nest Public Inquiry and had a potential impact on several native species.
Affordable housing coming to Forster
Councillors approved a development that will deliver more affordable housing for Forster.
The application included the demolition of existing structures to make way for a three-storey residential flat building that will contain 10 residential units. They will be made up of eight two-bedroom units and two three-bedroom units and will be solely available to women who have been victims of domestic violence.
MidCoast Assist update
The divestment of aged care and disability services is proceeding as expected and is in line with Council’s objectives of providing a continuity of service for aged care clients and disability participants and a continuity of employment for the staff of MidCoast Assist.
Council have successfully transferred disability operations over to Ability Options and the transition of aged care services to Kirinari Community Services is due to conclude in early October. A further report will be provided at the conclusion of the transition projects.
Nabiac local community plan
The Nabiac community have worked together over the last decade to develop and update a Local Community Plan to reflect the long-term vision for the area. The first plan was developed in 2016 and was one of the first of its kind in the MidCoast region.
The plan which is led by the Nabiac Village Futures Group has recently conducted a further review and update of the plan to deliver a vision and actions for their community for the period 2024 to 2030. This revision was noted by Councillors and will provide the Nabiac community with a platform to attract funding from State and Federal Government programs.
Wingham Central Park draft master plan
A draft master plan was established for the site due to the sporting, social, cultural and heritage importance of the area.
Council engaged a third party to conduct an independent review of the plan and identify any potential heritage impacts which the proposal could have on the significance of the park. The review concluded that there were no issues with the proposal and so Councillors voted for the draft master plan to be placed on public exhibition.
Draft public toilets in parks strategy
A draft document will be on public exhibition outlining Council’s plans for amenities located at our parks. The strategy will provide all the actions for these facilities for the next 11 years.
Councillors are calling on the community to provide their feedback on the strategy.
Draft Forster Foreshore plan of management
The draft document will be on public exhibition and Councillors are asking for the communities’ feedback on the proposal.
The Plan of Management was developed in collaboration with the community and has been reviewed by the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure – Crown Lands.
Once adopted it is expected that this Plan of Management will provide vision and relevance for the next 5-10 years.
With the recent sale of Council’s former administration building at Breese Parade Forster, Council’s Funding Strategy for the purchase and fitout of Yalawanyi Ganya, Council’s Administration Centre is now complete.
Council’s Funding Strategy outlined properties that were to be leased or sold with the funds going towards the purchase and fit out of Council’s Administration Centre, Yayalwanyi Ganya.
A report to the Council Meeting on 21 August outlined the funding strategy for Yalawanyi Ganya and provided an update.
As part of the funding strategy for the move to Yalawanyi Ganya, a number of properties were identified to be sold with an estimated return was $6.57 million. The total funds realised from the sale of these properties totalled $12.72 million, which was $6.15 million above the initial estimates included in the funding strategy.
This has allowed for the level of loans associated with the purchase and fitout of the building to be reduced. From 30 June 2025 (when the loan can be renegotiated) the total loan will be reduced to $6 million. This is a reasonable level of debt given the life of the building. The increased return on sales will also allow for some funds to be invested into the Council’s Future Land Development Reserve, which has been established to invest in properties which can deliver a sustainable commercial return to Council.
For full details of all reports please see the meeting agenda.