May 2025 Ordinary Council Meeting Recap - Councillor Trembath

Published on 29 May 2025

The meeting was opened in prayer at 5:30pm by Christine Stapleton of Oberon Uniting Church.

A by-election has been held by countback to fill the vacancy created by Councillor Michael Crye, when he relinquished his position, on 25 March 2025.  The AEC declared the results Wednesday 7 May and Councillor Robert Lee was elected.  Councillor Robert Lee took the oath of office at the commencement of the meeting.

There were no presentations.

Questions from the public: 

Jacqui Harman asked for Council support and endorsement of the new community event, Springfest Oberon 12-14 September 2025 that is a revival of the Daffodil Festival.  She spoke of the expected boost to tourism and the estimated economic benefits that will be brought to the community.     

Vanessa Booth, GM/Secretary and Licensee of Oberon Leagues Club spoke to Councillors regarding the new Oberon Sports Complex and playing an active role in the management discussions and expressed the wish of the community and members to have the history of the club displayed within the new complex.  Vanessa emphasised her 19 years operational experience and the development of a 5-year plan that is in progress to ensure the continued success of the club.

Lenore Zamparini, President of the Oberon Rugby Leagues Club presented a motion by Neil O’Grady from the recent AGM that was emailed to Council.  The motion reiterated the experience and successful operation as the current licensees and kindly requested a smooth and seamless transition allowing for administrative changes with a formal letter of appointment to transition to the new complex.  He also spoke to the history and how in 1976 the community of Oberon got together to create a licenced club, and the heritage, legacy and community spirit continues to live on with the Oberon Rugby Leagues Club CAN Assist raising over $300k to date and is a great contributor to the community.

Local resident Mrs Robyn Wiseman asked where the UN fits into local council. It was taken on notice with a response to be provided at the next meeting.

Emma Jardine, Artistic Director of the Chamber Music Festival spoke on the success of the 2024 Festival and thanked Council for their support and provided an update on the 2025 Festival 21-23 November 2025.  She asked Council to consider their ongoing support for the festival to build on the success of 2024 and how Council support in 2024 enabled free concerts for the local nursing home residents, community gala concerts and events for the local schools.  This year the festival will be expanded to extend visitor time in Oberon with events at Mayfield Gardens with a Saturday morning musical adventure walk, late night at St Barnabas Church, The Milbrey Café luncheons, and pre-concert talks at the Community Centre for community and visitors.

Mayoral Minute:

9.2 Appreciation of Jenny Bennett’s Significant Contribution to the Central NSW Joint Organisation - There was a Mayoral Minute put to Council to thank Ms Jenny Bennett for the outstanding work she has undertaken for the Central NSW Joint Organisation (previously Centroc) and to wish Jenny all the best for her retirement after 20 years in the role.  The mayor will present this at the next JO meeting.

Notices of Motion:

10.1 Communications - Communication to our community via the Village Voice Newspaper is not achieving the reach that was anticipated. The mayor put forward a motion for a committee of Councillors and two Council staff to undertake a review and advise on a new strategy that keeps our community better informed, especially our older community, and report back to the July meeting was successful.  Councillors Trembath, O’Connor and Graham were appointed.  An alternative motion by Clr Alevras to reinstate the Monthly Newsletter was lost.

10.2 Oberon Weather and Environment Station - Councillor O’Connor put forward a motion to seek grant or external funding to install a fully automatic weather station, to collect temperature, humidity, wind and any other available information suitable for the public.  He noted that there is no official recordings of rainfall and temperature for Oberon with the closest weather station used by the BOM being at Jenolan Caves.  It was amended by Councillor Hayden to include contacting the Hon Andrew Gee, MP relating to a statement made in 2023 where he committed to organising a meteorological station for Oberon Falls Hill.  A further report will come back to Council after contact is made with the Hon Andree Gee, MP.

Reports for Decision:

13.1 Policy 3134 – Community Participation in Planning Decisions - Council endorsed the Policy noting that this is simply creating a standalone policy which originally sat within Policy 1120 Community Engagement Strategy and had been exhibited noting the proposed removal.

13.2 Policy 1120 – Community Engagement Strategy was adopted as presented.

13.3 Foregone Revenue and Donation Reporting - A report provided a high-level summary of estimated community contributions and foregone revenue under Section 356 of the Local Government Act 1993 across selected Council facilities and was to inform Council and the community of the scale of support currently provided and proposed the Oberon Library and Community Centre as a priority area for fee structure review.

The recommendation was amended to:

1. Note the estimated value of community contributions and foregone revenue provided
2. Endorse the annual reporting of Section 356 contributions as part of Council’s financial reporting and operational planning processes
3. Endorse further consultation with user groups of the Oberon Library and Community Group Centre to consider how their use should be dealt with noting some obtain use of the facil8ity in lieu of claiming 356 contributions, and that some of these groups have a significant impact on the psychological, physical and social benefit to the community
4. Receive a further report in relation to future options for the sustainable use and management of the Black Springs Hall

13.4 Section 356 Donation Program Evaluation - Council endorsed the Section 356 Financial Assistance Panel’s funding recommendations for the 2025/26 financial year ($55,280), to place the proposed funding on public exhibition for a period of 28 days and at completion of the exhibition period notify all applicants of the outcome and arrange for funding agreements and acquittal reporting.

13.5 Integrated Planning & Reporting - The following Integrated Planning & Reporting (IP&R) Policies were endorsed by Council to be put on public exhibition for 28 days with an invitation for submissions from the public: -

Draft 2025-2029 Delivery Program

Draft 2025/26 Operational Plan*

Draft 2025/26 -2034/35 Long Term Financial Plan

Draft 2025/26 Statement of Revenue Policy

Draft 2025-2029 Roads Asset Management Plan

Draft 2025-2029 Workforce Management Plan

The 2025/26 Operational Plan is based on a forecast total income of $27.96 million, with a net operating deficit after capital expenditure of $194,805. The documents reflect a ‘back to basics’ approach, focussing on core service delivery and infrastructure renewal in response to financial constraints, rising costs, skills shortages and community expectations.

*An extraordinary meeting in June 2025 will be convened to consider all submissions received during the exhibition period and to adopt the final 2025/26 Operational Plan.

13.6 Council Red Fleet Assets - Council endorsed the recommendation to continue to recognise Red Fleet Assets in the compilation of the 2024-25 Annual Financial Statements.

13.7 Development Application 2025.009 Three (3x) Wind Monitoring Stations - Council approved the Development Application for three (3x) Wind Monitoring Stations. Councillor O’Connor asked the Planning Director did it meet the definition of a Research Station meaning a building or place operated by a ‘public authority’ for the purpose of agricultural, environmental, fisheries, forestry, minerals or soil conservation research and includes any associated facility for education, training, administration or accommodation, as the DA approval is with proponent The Pines who have only been issued a planning and investigation permit. He sought clarification that the DA should have been made by Forestry Corporation not The Pines and was advised it was correct as the consent is with the land and Forestry Corporation.  Councillor Alevras also spoke against supporting the DA. The DA approval was successful with five (5) for and four (4) against.

13.8 Modification Application DA10.2021.49.2 Composting and Landscape Supplies (Bettergrow) - The Modification Application was endorsed by Council.  The modification relates to changes to the proposed operation, including the removal of an access connection to an adjoining site and subsequent removal of the need for a weighbridge at this location and was considered minor.

13.9 Nominations Councillor Delegate and Section 355 Committees - Due to the by-election, two Councillor delegate positions needed to be appointed.  Clr Lee will be the alternate delegate on the Black Springs Community Hall Committee and the Council delegate on the Rural Fire Service Chifley Zone Liaison.  Council also endorsed the appointment of a community delegate, Mr Brett Chrichton, on behalf of the United Football Club, to the Oberon Sports Facility Committee.

13.10 CEUF Round 2 Application Payback Terms -  At the April 2025 meeting there was a resolution requesting further detail on the payback periods for the Community Energy Upgrade Fund (CEUF) projects.  The report provided back to Council outlined the mechanisms to reimburse the Water Fund and Buildings Renewal Reserve and addressed questions raised by Councillors regarding site selection, return-on-investment assumptions and technical configuration. Council noted the payback periods for each CEUF project, endorsed the proposed reserve reimbursement mechanisms to be implemented if the CEUF grant application was successful and a request that the Internal Audit Committee consider the merits of establishing a Revolving Energy Fund (REF) using guidance from the Joint Organisation toolkit to support future energy initiatives.

13.11 Black Springs Recreation Ground Masterplan - was endorsed and will be placed on the Council website.  A thank you to the Black Springs Community Association (BSCA) for initiating the project was endorsed as well as a $500 contribution from the Black Springs Village Fund to place a sign at the Recreation Ground promoting the final Masterplan.

13.12 Development Application DA2025.027 – 5 Carrington Avenue – New Shed - The recommendation to vary C5.5 Building Height Plane was endorsed.

13.13 Development Application 19.2023.35.1 – Change of Use to Entertainment Facility at 85 Oberon Street, Oberon - was approved with conditions of consent.  Use is limited to children’s parties and no separate hall/hire permitted and the conditions included hours of operation 11am to 6pm and maximum guests 50.

13.14 Removal of Obsolete Policies.  Council endorsed three Policies to be removed and retained one.

Policy 3403 – Recycling Receipts - removed

Policy 4206 – Clean Up Campaign - removed

Policy 4207 – Waste Management Acceptance of Materials - removed

Policy 4205 – Reward Scheme for Malicious damage to Property - retained.

13.15 Weighbridge Project Budget Requirements - The recommendation to allocate $256,000 from the Waste Reserve Fund to the Weighbridge project to allow for completion was endorsed.   The Technical Services Director provided a very detailed budget for completion – an additional $73k to complete work for the original project scope and $183k for the completed project with ancillary work required to complete with relocation of the weighbridge and requirement for a gatehouse. The cost over-run of this project resulted in an amendment by the Mayor, Councillor McKibben, for regular schedule and cost to complete versus original budget for capital projects such as this in future on a quarterly basis.

In Confidential:

16.1 Oberon EV Fast Charging Proposal - Council endorsed the recommendation that Council

1. Notes the proposal from EVSE and Exploren for the installation of public electric vehicle charging infrastructure at 64 Dart Street Oberon
2. Provides in principle support for the concept, acknowledging that:
   1. The project is fully grant funded and delivered at no cost to Council
   2. All infrastructure ownership, maintenance and operations rest with the proponent
   3. Planning, public engagement, and approvals will be carried out in accordance with statutory process
3. Authorises Council staff to continue discussions with the proponent and report back to Council prior to any formal agreement or landowner consent being issued.

16.2 Oberon Sports Comple Management Options - The recommendation put forward by Clr Trembath and seconded by Clr O’Connor was as follows: -

1. Meet with the Rugby League Club President, Vice President and Manager to discuss their options and expectations regarding control and management of the new Oberon Sports Complex and discuss their plans and seek their Expressions of Interest including a business case
2. Councillor O’Connor be invited to join the Working Party to provide financial skills to the Working Party
3. Will initiate and Expression of Interest (EOI) process to identify other suitably qualified and experienced individuals, sporting organisations including Oberon Rugby League Club to operate the licenced club facilities at the Oberon Sports Complex
4. Ensure the EOI process includes the following criteria:
   1. Demonstrated experience in operating licenced club facilities
   2. Community benefit and engagement outcomes
   3. Financial and operational sustainability
   4. Compliance with all relevant laws, regulations and Council policies
5. Delegates authority to the GM and the Working Party to oversee the EOI process, including the preparation of documentation and assessment
6. Requests that a report be brought back to Council outlining the outcomes of the EOI process and recommendations for further negotiation and potential leasing/licencing arrangements.

Meeting closed at 12.11am.

Next meeting Tuesday 17 June 2025 @ 5:30pm.

All meetings are also available via zoom and recorded and available on the Council website.

Councillor Lauren Trembath