Published on 23 November 2023
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 here.
Mayoral minute
Mayor Claire Pontin on behalf of MidCoast Council offered her deepest condolences to the family of Leonardus (Leo) Fransen. A life member of the Diamond Beach Rural Fire Brigade. Leo tragically lost his life while fighting the Hudson Bushfire in northwest NSW recently.
MidCoast Council Future Cemeteries Strategy
Councillors adopted the recommendation to place a draft Future Cemeteries Strategy on public exhibition.
This strategy identifies the current, emerging and future needs for the 34 cemeteries under Council operation and recognises the large number and significant ongoing maintenance cost. It also addresses the requirements of the State Government’s Interment Industry Scheme.
The strategy identifies the need to maximise the use and efficiency of existing facilities through the consistent application of processes to ensure their operational longevity and the need for efficient and effective administration processes.
Economic development update
This report provided key figures in relation the economic strength of the region including employed residents which swelled from 38,211 in March 23 quarter to almost 500 hundred more in the June quarter with 38,701.
The total local spend jumped from around the $170m mark in July and August to $186m in September.
MidCoast Koala Strategy
We will be engaging with the community to develop a Koala Strategy following the endorsement of a community engagement approach at the meeting.
The Koala Strategy will see a number of projects delivered including the preparation of mapping to identify strategically important koala habitat areas in the MidCoast and use the mapping to inform the development of a koala strategy with the aim of maintaining and enhancing priority koala habitat areas in the MidCoast LGA.
Water and wastewater monthly performance report
Water restrictions now look unlikely until later in the summer, thanks to recent rainfall events according to the current water outlook.
We have continued to achieve ahigh level of compliance with guidelines and licence conditions.
One sewer overflow was recorded during the month due to tree roots causing a blockage and subsequent surcharge from a manhole in Ann Street, Taree.
Action is being taken against one user of the Dawson River recycling system who flood-irrigated a paddock recently causing issues with other users not able to access enough pressure to drive irrigation.
Tender – Cedar Party Creek Bridge replacement
The contract to replace the Cedar Party Creek Bridge was awarded to Symal Pty Ltd, with Councillors approving a proposal to borrow up to $4.5 million in the 2024/25 financial year for this project.
The total cost of construction is estimated at $38.977 million. The balance of the funding has been provided through State and Federal Government grants.
Fit for the Future report
A report presenting ‘Fit for the Future’ results for Council following the completion of the audit of the 2022-23 financial statements was noted by Councillors.
The information tabled confirm previous reports and advice to Council about the challenges it faces in its journey to long term financial sustainability, including the development of a Financial Sustainability Strategy for Council by the AEC Group.
Council has heeded the advice and responded with several resolutions that have strategies being developed and in place to address the challenges.
These include, the Roads strategy, Service Optimisation Program, Financial Sustainability review, the Business Transformation program and many more.
There will be annual reports as a source of information to consider whether the financial decisions it is making are having the desired impact.
For full details of all reports please see the agenda for the meeting which can be found here.