Ordinary Council Meeting Tuesday 22 February 2022

Ordinary Council Meeting Tuesday 22 February 2022

Following is a summary of resolutions from the Ordinary Council Meeting of Tuesday 22 February 2022. NB: it is not a full record of resolutions.

Lord Mayoral Minutes

Ceremonial welcoming of new and returning Councillors
A Lord Mayoral Minute congratulated all successful candidates and welcomed new and returning Councillors to the historic Newcastle City Hall Chamber for the ceremonial first face-to-face Ordinary Council Meeting of the new Council term. First term Councillors were also given an opportunity to address the Chamber.

Tree planting commitment to increase city's urban forest
A Lord Mayoral Minute (LMM) acknowledging City of Newcastle's long-standing commitment to the protection and increased planting of street and park trees across the Local Government Area was supported by Councillors.

The LMM called for City of Newcastle to invest $4.5 million during the next three years to increase green cover with new street and park trees as part of the annual tree-planting investment.

Minmi Road upgrade between Newcastle Road and Minmi
A Lord Mayoral Minute (LMM) was received by Councillors noting the long-standing issues along Minmi Road and the well overdue upgrades required to alleviate traffic congestion on the major arterial connection for local residents in Wallsend, Maryland, Fletcher and Minmi.

The Minute called for City of Newcastle to invest $26 million to upgrade notorious traffic pinch points along Minmi Road between Newcastle Road and Minmi by duplicating large sections of the arterial western corridor road from one lane of traffic in each direction to two lanes each way.

These essential upgrades will provide a large-scale infrastructure program that will significantly alleviate traffic congestion along Minmi Road and deliver the long overdue upgrades the road requires whilst providing long-awaited relief to many frustrated road users and creating local jobs.

Ordinary Business

Tabling of Register of Disclosures of Interest - 1 November 2021 to 31 January 2022
Councillors noted the tabling of the Register of Disclosures of Interest for the period 1 November 2021 to 31 January 2022 by the Chief Executive Officer, in accordance with the codes of conduct for Councillors and Staff.

Adoption of Code of Conduct and associated procedures
Councillors unanimously adopted the Codes of Conduct for Councillors, Staff, Council Committee Members, Delegates of Council and Council Advisors, and Procedures for the Administration of the Code of Conduct.

City of Newcastle are required to review and adopt its Codes of Conduct and Procedures within the first 12 months of each council term. There are no proposed changes to the current Codes of Conduct and Procedures.

Audit and Risk Committee Annual Report
Councillors received the Audit and Risk Committee Annual Report for the 2020/2021 financial year and noted the 2021/2022 Forward Internal Audit Plan.

Adoption of the Disability Inclusion Action Plan
Councillors unanimously adopted the Disability Inclusion Action Plan 2022-2026 following an exhibition period.

Brunker Road, Broadmeadow - proposed pedestrian crossing upgrade near Coolah Road
Councillors approved the proposed upgrade of the pedestrian crossing on Brunker Road Broadmeadow, near Coolah Road, to a raised crossing with kerb extensions.

Adoption of Instruments of Delegation
Councillors voted to adopt Instruments of Delegation to the Lord Mayor, Chief Executive Officer and Development Applications Committee.

Adoption of the alcohol regulated areas review
Councillors adopted the Alcohol Regulated Areas (ARA) for a four-year period (2022 – 2026) and delegated authority to the Chief Executive Officer to temporarily suspend Alcohol Free Zones (AFZ) to facilitate the approval of licensed events not exceeding five days in length.

Minister's consent application - lease for Dixon Park Kiosk
Councillors voted to seek consent from the Minister for Local Government for City of Newcastle to enter into a lease with Sunnyboy Kiosk Pty Ltd for Dixon Park Kiosk.

Variation to Development Standards Report - 4th Quarter - 1 October to 31 December 2021
Councillors received the report on approved development variations between 1 October 2021 and 31 December 2021 in accordance with the Department of Planning, Industry and Environment’s concurrence to vary development standards in the Newcastle Local Environmental Plan 2012.

Adoption of fees for Lord Mayor and Councillors (including superannuation)
Councillors voted to accept the fees and superannuation contributions payable to the Lord Mayor and Councillors for the current term of Council.

Six monthly performance report on the 2018-2022 Delivery Program
Councillors received the 2018-2022 Delivery Program for the July to December 2021 period.

December quarterly budget review
Councillors received the December Quarterly Budget Review Statement as at 31 December 2021 and adopted the revised budget.

Executive monthly performance report
Councillors received the Executive Monthly Performance Report for January 2022, which reports on City of Newcastle’s monthly performance.

Chief Executive Officer performance review
Councillors endorsed the Performance Review Panel's recommendation to offer a new contract of employment to the current CEO and authorise the Performance Review Panel to negotiate the terms of renewal, to finalise on behalf of the Council and notify the results back to Council.

Supply of one rear loading bulk waste collection truck - contract no. 2022/097t
Councillors voted to approve an exemption to tender for the supply of one rear loading bulk waste collection truck.

Notices of Motion

Lord Mayor’s earthquake appeal fund and the Newcastle region natural disaster relief fund trustee LTD
A Notice of Motion was received noting that City of Newcastle audited financial statements for the year ending 2020 show the Newcastle Region Natural Disaster Relief Fund Trustee Ltd has assets of more than $1 million, consisting of $734,018 in a term deposit bank account, $146,901 in low interest-bearing bank account, and receivables of $160,806.

The Motion also noted that no donations have been made by the Trust for the past six years and that the Fund annually pays accounting and consulting expenses of more than $5,000 and auditing fees of $3,000.

Councillors supported writing to the Assistant Minister for Finance, Charities and Electoral Matters Senator Zed Seselja asking for an update of the formal investigation into the Newcastle Lord Mayor’s Earthquake Appeal Fund and the Newcastle Region Natural Disaster Relief Fund.

Newcastle Ocean Baths Upgrade
An amended Notice of Motion that calls for City of Newcastle to continue to lobby the NSW State Government for the Newcastle Ocean Baths to be included in the State Heritage Register, was supported by Councillors.

Confidential Councillor workshops
An amended Notice of Motion that Council continues to webcast the Public Voice Committee and the Public Briefings Committee and notes that the Code of Meeting Practice is scheduled to be reviewed and placed on public exhibition in May 2022, was supported by Councillors.

Newcastle Climate Action Taskforce
Councillors supported an amended Notice of Motion inviting the Hunter Community Alliance to join the SDG Hunter Region Taskforce and calling on City of Newcastle to undertake a Climate Change Risk Assessment for Council and community assets and services. The Notice of Motion also called on City of Newcastle to develop a Circular Economy Plan and a Climate Adaptation Plan following the development and adoption of the Newcastle Environment Strategy, with the Strategy and both Plans to be placed on public exhibition as well as workshopped with the SDG Hunter Region Taskforce.