Council update: Ordinary Council Meeting Tuesday 23 June 2020

Following is a summary of resolutions from the Ordinary Council meeting of Tuesday 23 June 2020. NB: it is not a full record of resolutions.

Lord Mayoral Minutes

A Lord Mayoral Minute providing an update on the impacts of COVID-19 and the City's comprehensive Community and Economic Resilience Package was supported.

A Lord Mayoral Minute for the City to sign a letter of intent with the World Economic Forum to establish mutually beneficial cooperation with the G20 Smart Cities Alliance as a Pilot City was supported.

Ordinary business

Establishment of the Draft Stockton Coastal Maangement Program

Council has adopted the final Draft Stockton Coastal Management Program and endorsed its submission to the Minister for Local Government by 30 June 2020.

Write-off a sundry debt

Council has resolved to write off a debt totalling $52,048.35 in unpaid tipping fees after being unable to recoup outstanding fees from a business in liquidation.

Making of the rates and charges

Council has set its rates and charges for the 2020/21 financial year.

Making of the rate – Hunter Catchment

Council has adopted the rate commission payable to the City for the collection of the 2020/21 Hunter Catchment Contribution at five per cent of the contributions collected, as determined by Hunter Local Land Services.

Interest on overdue rates and charges for 2020/21

Council has adopted the rate of 2.3 per cent a year on interest on overdue rates and charges deferred against an eligible ratepayer’s estate for the period 1 January 2021 to 30 June 2021.

Exhibition of draft Local Housing Strategy

The draft Local Housing Strategy will be placed on public exhibition for 28 days.

Adoption of 2020/21 budget

Council has adopted a new budget for 2020-21 that includes a record $116 million capital works program that will generate up to 700 jobs and increase local economic output by $275 million.

Proposed road closure – 81 Fletcher Street, Adamstown

Council has endorsed the sale of a 278sqm land parcel to the owners of an adjoining block in Fletcher Street, Adamstown, for $75,000.

Classification of Council Land – 280 Hunter Street, Newcastle

Council has resolved to classify 280 Hunter Street, Newcastle, as operational land after buying the plot, known as Rail Bridge Row, from Hunter and Central Coast Development Corporation earlier this year.

Tender for Natural Areas Rehabilitation

Council has accepted four individual tenders for the provision of natural areas rehabilitation services to deliver specialised bushland services and other environmental projects through Newcastle.

Executive monthly performance report

Council received the executive monthly performance report for May 2020.

Notices of Motions

Shining example of energy transition

A notice of motion to celebrate the City’s Summerhill Solar Farm for generating more than $420,000 in revenue, well up on business case projections of $250,000 a year, and reducing operational carbon emissions by 77 per cent compared to a 2008 baseline, was supported.

Clarification on Local Land Services Hunter Catchment and Contribution Levey and Benefits

Another NOM was supported to write to Hunter Local Land Services to query the $2.59 million paid annually by Newcastle residents for the Hunter Catchment Contribution levy and ask how that money could help address long-term catchment issues down river, including flooding in Wallsend.