NOTICE OF MOTION 1/2010 I hereby give notice of my intention to move at the Ordinary Meeting of Council, to be held on the 20 July 2010, a Motion that: 1. Council register its lack of confidence in Cr Wall’s ability to adequately, appropriately and effectively represent Council resolutions in relation to Tillegra Dam in the media and in deputations to local members of parliament, government Ministers and members of the Opposition. 2. Councillor Wall be requested to stand down as Mayor and that nominations be called for and voted on for re-filling the position immediately. Cr Peter Ainsworth Ordinary Meeting of the Council of the Shire of Dungog, to be held Tuesday 20 July 2010 commencing 6.00pm. NOTICE OF MOTION 2/2010 I hereby give notice of my intention to move at the Ordinary Meeting of Council, to be held on the 20 July 2010, a Motion that: Council staff collate all information relating to alternative uses for the Tillegra Dam site prior to the next ordinary Council meeting for Councillors to develop a policy for Dungog Council to take to the NSW Government in view of the increasing likelihood that it will not proceed. Cr Robert Booth The basis for the motion is: The Tillegra Dam proposal was announced amid much controversy in 2006. The government anticipated a quick assessment and approval process under Part 3A planning provisions and originally forecast to be commencing construction in 2008. Since then, there has been significant and sustained doubt relating to justification, socio-economic analysis, geological integrity, costings and drought scenarios. Independent scientists and institutions, public opinion and political opposition has drawn out the process and cast a lot of doubt as to whether the project will go ahead. Dungog Council has suffered considerable impact from the uncertainty and has put forward claims for compensation to the NSW Government. It is timely for Council to formulate a strong position on alternative uses for the dam site and present these to the government and NSW Opposition. With much of the land under NSW Government ownership, an opportunity exists to present large-scale sustainable forestry, agricultural, alternative energy and tourist based partnerships for the site to ensure the Shire is well positioned for continued sustainable economical growth from ventures suited to the prime rural landscape and natural amenity. Ordinary Meeting of the Council of the Shire of Dungog, to be held Tuesday 20 July 2010 commencing 6.00pm. B: 1 GENERAL MANAGER Craig Deasey 1. LOCAL GOVERNMENT & SHIRES ASSOCIATION OF NSW EF07/34 Précis: Reporting on the invitation to attend the One Association Convention. *********** As reported to Council at the March meeting on the outcomes of the Shires Association ‘D’ Division meeting as regards the formation of the One Association taskforce, the LGSA has now forwarded invitations to all Councils in NSW to attend the One Association convention in Sydney on 16 & 17 August 2010. The intention of the convention is to hopefully progress the merger of the Local Government Association and the Shires Association, from my perspective there needs to be one voice for local government in NSW as too often the State Government utilises the current divide to their advantage. The Local Government Association is representative of all city Councils and a number of rural and regional Councils are also members of the LGA. It is obvious that many Councillors who represent their Councils drive political processes along party lines in terms of the agendas and policy direction of the LGA. Apparently this is very evident at the LGA conference where many in attendance will break into informal “party meetings” during the conference. The politics at the Shires Association is more representative of rural communities driven by independents, where each Council only has one vote at the conference. The LGA voting rights are determined by population and this is one area of significant conjecture as the Associations taskforce works through the process. A One Association newsletter is attached as Annexure ‘A’ for Councillors information. Each Council attending the convention will only have one voting right and the Council needs to determine who will represent Council at this convention. IMPLICATIONS Financial Funding for attendance would be sourced from Councils delegates expenses budget allocation, travel, accommodation (potentially 2 nights) and meal costs would be incurred. RECOMMENDATION 1. That Council be represented at the One Association convention. 2. That Councillors determine the appropriate representation of Council at the convention. Ordinary Meeting of the Council of the Shire of Dungog, to be held Tuesday 20 July 2010 commencing 6.00pm. B: 2 Craig Deasey 2. NSW DEPARTMENT OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT CIRCULARS EF08/142 Précis: Providing a summary of circulars that have been released by the Department of Local Government. ********** The following circulars have been released by the Department of Local Government and the intent of this report is to keep Councillors informed of changes and/or requirements that Council officers may be required to implement. The circulars themselves may be found on the Departments website (www.dlg.nsw.gov.au). It is not the intent to reproduce such circulars but moreso provide them as a point of reference to Councillors should they wish to undertake further research. When there is a requirement to inform Councillors or designated officers of a matter correspondence and attachments will still be submitted to all Councillors in accordance with the requirements of the Director General of the Department of Local Government. Such circulars will be highlighted in bold text. The following Circulars have been released by the Department since 1 June 2010. Date Circular Details No. 04/06/10 10-12 Enhancement of Corruption Prevention Strategies 11/06/10 10-13 Information About Rating for 2010/11 – Fee for Section 603 Certificates and Maximum Interest Rate on Overdue Rates and Charges 25/06/10 10-14 Information About Rating for 2010/11 – Boarding House Tariffs for Residential Rating Aside from Circulars there are numerous publications which are released upon the Departments website. Publications issued since 1 June include: Pensioner Concession Application Form, Social Justice Framework 2008-2012. IMPLICATIONS There are no implications associated with this report, information only. RECOMMENDATION That the report be received and the information noted. Ordinary Meeting of the Council of the Shire of Dungog, to be held Tuesday 20 July 2010 commencing 6.00pm. B: 3 Craig Deasey 3. COUNCIL’S MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES Précis: Reporting on Minutes of Council Management Committee Meetings provided to Council. ********** The minutes of the following Management Committee Meeting are attached as Annexure ‘B’ to this report: • Clarence Town School of Arts Hall Committee Meeting held 12 March 2010 • Clarence Town School of Arts Hall Committee Meeting held 30 April 2010 • Clarence Town School of Arts Hall Committee Meeting held 20 May 2010 • Paterson School of Arts Committee Meeting held 24 May 2010 • Paterson Sportsground Committee Meeting held 24 May 2010 • James Theatre Community Centre Meeting held 7 June 2010 • Clarence Town Community Centre Meeting held 7 June 2010 • Dungog Showground & Recreation Reserve Committee Meeting held 1 July 2010 • James Theatre Community Centre Meeting held 5 July 2010 IMPLICATIONS Financial There are no financial implications the report is for information purposes only. RECOMMENDATION That the minutes of the Management Committee Meetings be received and noted. Ordinary Meeting of the Council of the Shire of Dungog, to be held Tuesday 20 July 2010 commencing 6.00pm. B: 4 Greg Fenwick 4. THE VALUE OF EVENTS IN DUNGOG SHIRE EF08/311 Précis: Reporting on the value of events for the local communities of Dungog Shire as an attraction for visitors and shire residents. ********** Each year Dungog Shire community and business groups organise approximately 120 identified events to satisfy the aims of their group while providing a unique amenity to the broader community. These “events” include a broad range of activities from the regular markets held in various locations throughout the shire to annual shows, rodeos and festivals. There are specialist events such as Pedalfest, Tocal Field Days, film festivals and the Hunter Polo Challenge, which are significant regional events, offering special attraction for like minded enthusiasts. The value of significant events to the Shire can be measured in direct economic terms as accommodation bookings for these events are always at a premium. Measured results during the past 3 years indicate that approximately $100,000 can be generated by operators throughout the Shire in a single weekend when a major event is in progress. The acceptance of the Home Hosting program and the provision of event specific camping have the potential to generate an additional $35,000 per weekend in Dungog as existing events attract a large number of participants specifically seeking accommodation close to the town centre. These results are reflected across Dungog Shire for other regionally significant events such as the Gresford Show and Rodeo weekends, Tocal Field Days and village carnivals where the guests’ preference is to stay close to the events on the western side of the Shire. With a relative shortage of accommodation facilities throughout the Shire, especially during the peak holiday periods, or major events, the true benefit of developing significant regional events in Dungog Shire will remain limited until more tourism based infrastructure is available. The flow-on benefits to businesses not involved in accommodation services are more complex as these businesses benefit from increased activity during events and then as an ongoing contribution to the local economy as the multiplying effect of direct expenditure can continue for several weeks. Current ABS figures provide a multiplying benefit of 1.96 for tourism expenditure in regional centres which means that for each dollar spent in the region during events the direct economic benefit to the community is virtually doubled.