15 July 2025 Ordinary Council Meeting Update - Clr Lauren Trembath
Published on 24 July 2025
The meeting was opened in prayer at 5:30pm by Janet Clayton from the Uniting Church. There were no presentations or questions from the public and no Notices of Motion.
The Mayoral Minute regarding the General Managers Annual Performance Review was debated with a proposal by Clr Tucker to defer a decision until Clr McCarthy returned from a Leave of Absence and further amended by Councillor Hayden requesting a full panel of Councillors be implemented and a new facilitator sought.
Both were lost and the original recommendation for a 4-member panel comprised of the Mayor, Deputy Mayor, one Councillor chosen by Councillors and one Councillor chosen by the General Manager and facilitated by Sinc Solutions was adopted.
Reports for Decision
The following policies will be placed on public exhibition for 28 days and if no submissions received will be adopted as presented.
- 13.1 Investments Policy 2211
- 13.2 Corporate Cards Policy 2117
13.3 Closed Circuit Television Policy 2142
Council noted the submissions received during the exhibition period and endorsed the policy amendments in response to the submissions received. The final version was adopted and will be placed on the Council website and the community notified.
13.5 Tendering Method Selection – Construction of Abercrombie Road Landslip Remediation
Council nominated the Open Tendering method as prescribed in accordance with Clause 166(b) of the Local Government Regulation 2021 of the construction of remediation treatments for slope failures at Abercrombie Road near Paling Yards.
13.6 DA2025.033 Meteorological Monitoring Mast
The DA2025.033 for a meteorological mast at 879 Mount David Road, Mount David by TAG Energy, was endorsed under Section 2.36(1)(b) of the State Environmental Planning Policy (Transport and Infrastructure) 2021. The development complies with the relevant provisions of Part ‘O’ of Council’s Development Control Plan 2001.
Clr Trembath sought confirmation that the Conditions of Consent would include removal of all materials above and below the ground and not just shearing off at ground level. This was confirmed and is the same as the three meteorological masts on Forestry land approved in June.
13.7 Re-classification of land – 52 Dickson Close and Lot 21 DP1304306 McHattan Close, Oberon
In March (18/3/2025) Council resolved to contact the owner of Lot 90, DP123811 and offer a lease of the Lot 89 DP1238111 - 52 Dickson Close Oberon as legal advice had been received advising that the land must be re classified to Operation Land from Community land prior to being able to lease the land.
The lands in question retain small dams and historically served as drainage reserves, although this designation is not reflected in the title, given it has been established as a freehold allotment. The allotments in question have no entitlement to build nor has any associated infrastructure (power, gas, water) been provided to the allotments. It simply created allotments to drain overland flow resulting from the new road infrastructure accessing the subdivision
13.8 Policy 3113 – Street Furniture was not endorsed as recommended. Further amendments, as suggested by Clr Tucker, will be incorporated to ensure the intent of the Policy does not unintentionally capture the day-to-day operations of local businesses with placement of product or advertising of their businesses outside their premises. The Policy will be brought back to Council.
13.9 Tender Method Selection for Plant Hire
Council endorsed the recommendation to nominate the Open Tendering method as prescribed in accordance with Clause 166(b) of the Local Government Regulation 2021 for the Hire of Plant Tender for 2025-2027.
13.4 Communications Working Party
Council noted the findings as outlined in the report and endorsed the facilitation of a meeting between The Village Voice Newspaper and local community groups, organisations, schools and sporting clubs to encourage participation and collaboration with a further report on the progress and outcomes of these actions to be brought back to Council in three months.
BACKGROUND
The working party was convened in response to community concerns raised by Councillors regarding the accessibility, timeliness, and effectiveness of current communications methods, particularly since the transition away from the former Council produced and monthly distributed Community Newsletter.
The working party comprises of Clr Graham, Clr Trembath, Clr O’Connor, Sharon Swannell, Governance and Executive Manager, and Hannah Booth, Records and Communications Coordinator.
Several key themes and issues currently affecting communication across the LGA were identified:
• Loss of centralised print media - there is a perceived gap following the loss of Oberon’s local printed newspaper, the Oberon Review, and discontinuation of the Council produced Community Newsletter.
• Challenges with current channels - The Village Voice is currently the main printed information channel, and concerns have been raised around the distribution and content coverage. It was recognised that there is a demonstrated willingness from the Village Voice to engage and collaborate to continue to improve this service.
• Digital accessibility – While online methods of communication have continued to grow and have shown to be successful within our community, it is also recognised that there are still those who rely on print media, particularly older and rural residents.
• Shared responsibility – It was noted that effective communication is a two-way process. While Council and stakeholders such as The Village Voice have a responsibility to provide clear, accessible and well distributed information, there is also a level of ownership on the community to actively engage with, seek out and contribute to this information.
• Distribution points – The need for more reliable and accessible pick-up points was discussed, including the area outside Council’s administration building. Burraga and Black Springs were specifically noted in the discussion and there is opportunity for provision of centralised, all weather drop boxes in the villages, as well as in O’Connell.
• Council’s role – There was discussion around whether Council should re-assume responsibility for producing a community newsletter. Concerns were raised regarding governance requirements, the challenge of maintaining impartiality when advertising is involved (political, environmental etc.) and the costs and resourcing required to publish a satisfactory publication that will meet community expectations. It was acknowledged that this may be more appropriately managed by a community group or external partner, with the support of Council.
RECOMENDATIONS
The working party agreed that the most effective short-term path forward is to support and improve performance of The Village Voice as the primary print publication for community news. The following recommendations were made:
1. Facilitate a meeting between the Working Party, The Village Voice and relevant local stakeholders, including community groups and organisations, schools and sporting clubs to
a. Encourage participation and content contributions
b. Improve distribution strategy
c. Identify shared priorities
d. Provide education on pick-up points and content submission
2. Continue to promote The Village Voice through council’s social media and other communication channels
3. Review the outcomes of these actions in three months, with a further report to be provided to Council.
Reports for Information
14.9 Councillor Expenditure Report FY24/25
The only report that peaked interest and robust discussion.
Clr Trembath addressed the mileage costs of $10642 that equated to over 13000km and noted it was excessive as most Councillors do not charge for attending Council meetings or community meetings, a core function of their role and she noted there was an expectation from the community that Councillors would not charge to go to their workplace. Clr Trembath stated the Policy was not being misused but she felt the intent of the Policy was not fully understood.
Clr O’Connor compared it to charging your employer for travel to your workplace.
The Annual Report will provide details by Councillor on Councillor’s expenditure and going forward 6 monthly reports will provide greater transparency for the community.
In Confidential the following report was considered: -
16.1 Assessment 1235764 Write-Off Request
Council endorsed the recommendation to not write-off Assessment 1235764 and instead offer a payment plan arrangement to support full debt recovery.
The meeting closed at 7:39pm and the next meeting will be held Tuesday August 19th at 5:30pm.
All meetings are also available via zoom and recorded and available on the Council website.
Councillor Lauren Trembath