Community facilities dominate final Council meeting of 2023

Published on 20 December 2023

Among the items for consideration by Council at its December 19, 2023 meeting were the Aquatic Strategy, which included a recommendation to close Gladstone Pool. There was also an update on the status of the Macleay Valley Recreation and Adventure Park following advice from the NSW State Government that the project has been determined as unviable.

The airport was again on the agenda with decisions about new commercial leases and request for a future report into the financial sustainability of operating the facility. A revised version of the Lower Macleay Flood Study was adopted as was the updated review of the Visitor Information Centre operating model.

Attending Councillors were Cr. Hauville (Mayor and Chairperson), Cr. Bain, Cr. Butterfield, Cr. Riddington, Cr. Ring, Cr. Saul, Cr. Wyatt, Cr. Patterson and Cr. Ferguson. There were no apologies.

You can read the detailed agenda and reports in the business papers and a video of the meeting can be viewed on Council's YouTube page and below.

Mayoral Minute

A Mayoral Minute sought to pause implementation of any new airport leases using the changed assessment methodology, undertake a review of the proposed changes to assessing the hangar lease fees at Kempsey Airport; and provide a report to a future Council meeting on improving financial sustainability of Kempsey Airport.

After lengthy discussion and clarification that transition to new leases at market value have been instigated because of the recently adopted Airport Master Plan, an amended minute was introduced, which stated that Council should implement new hangar leases using a revised methodology that is based on a market-based fee of $9.20 per square metre and the total land footprint excluding airside (the land between the hangar and the runway).

Council will phase in these increases over the next two financial years. Council will also approve the lease fee for the Kempsey Flying Club to be 75% of the new lease fee, with the increase also phased in over the next two financial years as well as undertaking a review of the operations and financial sustainability of the Kempsey airport, with a report back to a future meeting of Council in the next financial year.

Councillors voted in favour of the new amendment. 

Aquatic Strategy

Councillors were initially asked to vote on whether to adopt the Kempsey Shire Aquatic Strategy 2023-2033, which included a recommendation to close the Macleay Memorial Pool at Gladstone in April 2024.

An amended recommendation was put forward which asked Councillors to note the results of the investigation and engagement into the Aquatic Strategy to date, that high priority and short term actions highlighted in the strategy be implemented by Council staff, such as improving facility reporting to Council, establishing closer working relationships with operators to support delivery of programs and grant opportunities, conducting detailed investigations into the structural integrity of Kempsey pool, and investigating the heating of South West Rocks pool, among other recommendations. 

The recommendation also asked that a systematic review of swimming condition audit recommendations be undertaken by Council officers and pool operators, and that staff continue to conduct further investigations to develop a strategy which considers the long-term suitability and sustainability of all swimming pools with a further report to go to a future meeting of Council, as well as working collaboratively with the Lower Macleay community on the future of the Macleay Memorial pool.

Councillors voted unanimously to pass this amended recommendation.   

The closure plan for the Gladstone pool has been removed from the new recommendation, however the challenge remains for Council and the community to decide how to manage the Shire’s four pools in a way that is cost effective and delivers the kinds of services and experiences that residents expect. 

Lower Macleay Flood Study

Council voted to adopt the Lower Macleay Flood Study (2023) report and associated data, as well as the inclusion of 2100 Climate Change and Sea Level Rise changes to the Flood Planning Levels.

The report is a scientific study based upon models of historic events to generate probable flood models for the shire. It was prepared by specialist consultant engineers, in consultation with the Department of Planning, Industry and Environment.

The Study provides detailed flood data (flow, level, velocity, depth, and hazard categorisation) covering Turners Flat to Stuarts Point in the north, and south to the Port Macquarie Border excluding the Saltwater Lagoon Catchment.

The recommendation includes Climate Change and Sea Level Rise to safeguard future development.

Copies of the Study will be available on the website for people to read and used in the upcoming Flood Risk Management Plan Engagement.

Visitor Information Centre Review

Councillors were asked to note the Visitor Information Service Review, as well as the results of the further review requested at the November 2023 meeting. Councillors voted to adopt the proposed Visitor Information Centre operating model which includes recommendations to retain the co-located Visitor Information Centre at the Slim Dusty Centre, close the South West Rocks Visitor Information Centre, currently located in the Maritime Precinct, and introduce two visitor outlets co-located in Horseshoe Bay and Crescent Head Holiday Parks.

The recommendation was amended to include that council continues to work with the Maritime Precinct in relation to the clarification of their charitable status, negotiation with Crown Lands to reduce the cost of their lease, potential establishment of a gift shop, the potential transition of the Visitor Information Centre volunteers into other roles, and a Visitor Information Point in the museum providing a range of tourism maps and brochures.

A Visitor Information Services Review was undertaken in 2019-2020 and presented to Councillors at a briefing on 2 September 2020. The review highlighted that visitor needs and behaviours, from planning, booking, experiencing and reviewing their journey are changing and that visitor information servicing, including on the Macleay Valley Coast, will need to adapt to remain effective, with less than 4% of visitors to our region using a physical Visitor Information Centre.

The closure of the South West Rocks Visitor Information Centre will save approximately $10,000 per year on operating costs which will be used to run the new outlets and higher value tourism marketing services. In addition, the proposed model saves around six hours per week of staff time, currently used to manage the South West Rocks Visitor Information Centre.

Macleay Valley Recreation and Adventure Park

Councillors noted the Department of Regional NSW has completed its review of the Macleay Valley Recreation and Adventure Park project and have advised that they now consider the project is not viable due to rising construction costs and a reduced scope, and that the funding deed will be terminated. There will be no impact financially on Council. The project was 100% externally funded and the costs expended to date will be treated by the State Government as sunk costs.

Councillors also noted that the Department of Planning and Environment, via a Places to Play grant, has approved the relocation of the planned BMX/Pump track that was to be part of the Macleay Valley Recreation and Adventure Park project, to the southern end of the South Kempsey Public Recreation Reserve (South Kempsey park) on Lachlan street.

Councillors voted to approve the grant funding and related costs associated with the BMX/Pump track to be incorporated into Council’s future budget.

Other Business considered in open session

8.1. Mayoral Minute - Kempsey Airport Lease Fees

9.1. Australia Day Awards Committee

9.2. Local Traffic Committee Minutes - 5 December 2023

10.1. Petition - Gladstone Pool

10.2. Aquatic Strategy

10.3. Residential Flat Building with Strata Subdivision and Extension of Orara Street Development Application - McIntyre Street, South West Rocks - DA2300637 10.4. Lower Macleay Flood Study

10.5. Planning Proposal - 322 Stuarts Point Road, Yarrahapinni - PP-2023-2403

10.6. South West Rocks Visitor Information Centre

10.7. Disposal of Surplus Council Land – Old Temagog RFS Site – Lot 122, DP842025

10.8. Commercial Pilot Training Agreement with Sportfly Aviation

10.9. Macleay Valley Recreation and Adventure Park Update

10.10. Annual Financial Statements

10.11. Amendment to 2023-34 Bellbrook Green Waste Fees

10.12. Delegation of Authority to the General Manager

10.13. Acting General Manager Appointment

10.14. General Manager's ICMA Conference and Study Tour Ordinary Council Meeting - 19 December 2023 Page 3

10.15. Mid North Coast Joint Organisation Update

10.16. Statement of Cash and Investments - November 2023

11.1. Notice of Motion - Dementia Friendly Organisation

11.2. Delegates Report - LGNSW Annual Conference

11.3. Delegates Report - Country Mayors Association - November Meeting

11.4. Delegates Report - Bushfire Management Committee

12.1. Legal Matters

12.2. Tender TQE23/37 - Supply and Delivery of Water Meters

You can view the December 2023 agenda, official minutes, and business papers at Council meeting agendas & minutes.

The meeting was live-streamed via Council's YouTube page 

Watch the recording of the meeting video here.