SUPPLEMENTARY BUSINESS PAPER

SUPPLEMENTARY

BUSINESS

PAPER

21 May 2015

Council’s Vision

A prosperous rural community where residents and visitors enjoy a clean, safe environment enhanced by our unique

heritage and country lifestyle

Council’s Mission

For the whole community to grow and prosper through effective leadership, provision of sustainable services and

promotion of economic development opportunities

FORBES SHIRE COUNCIL

SUPPLEMENTARY BUSINESS PAPER –21 MAY 2015

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

GENERAL MANAGER’S SUPPLEMENTARY REPORT TO COUNCIL – PART I .............................................. 5

CLAUSE 1 – VAST SOLAR NEXT GENERATION SOLAR PROJECT ................................................................ 5

ACTING DIRECTOR CORPORATE SERVICES SUPPLEMENTARY REPORT TO COUNCIL - PART I ....... 7

CLAUSE 1 – ROAD CLOSURE APPLICATION: UNFORMED ROADS .............................................................. 7 CLAUSE 2 – ROAD CLOSURE APPLICATIONS: ACCESS TO RIVER .............................................................. 8 CLAUSE 3 – FORBES MUSEUM .............................................................................................................................. 9

DIRECTOR ENGINEERING & TECHNICAL SERVICES SUPPLEMENTARY REPORT TO COUNCIL – PART I ............................................................................................................................................................................. 16

CLAUSE 1 – ROADS AND MARITIME SERVICES LIAISON MEETING ........................................................... 16



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GENERAL MANAGER’S

SUPPLEMENTARY REPORT TO

COUNCIL

PART I



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GENERAL MANAGER’S SUPPLEMENTARY REPORT TO

COUNCIL – PART I

CLAUSE 1 – VAST SOLAR NEXT GENERATION SOLAR PROJECT

The Australian Capital Territory government has called for expressions of interest for next generation solar as part of its commitment to purchasing zero emission energy for the ACT. Vast Solar will be submitting an expression of interest for the program for its 30MW solar thermal power project in the Forbes Shire and has requested a letter of support from Council to include with their submission. If successful with the expression of interest the ACT government would purchase energy from the vast solar project in Forbes providing a stable revenue stream for the project that would ensure its successful completion. The project approval is progressing through the NSW planning process as a State Significant Development however Council has been kept informed of the progress. Vast Solar has already constructed and operated two solar thermal Power facilities in the Forbes Shire generating solar energy to the essential energy power grid. Vast Solar CEO, Andrew Want, has presented to Council on two occasions about the vision for the project and a site inspection has been conducted with the majority of Councillors. A number of major businesses in the shire have become suppliers of services and material and the projects have provided revenue, jobs and training for local businesses. Council’s Jemalong Regional Education Centre has been used by Vast Solar for visiting researchers from the Australian National University and other Australian and international universities.

RECOMMENDATION That Council provide a letter of support to be included with the Vast Solar submission to the Australian Capital Territory Government.

Brian Steffen GENERAL MANAGER



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ACTING DIRECTOR CORPORATE

SERVICES


COUNCIL

PART I



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ACTING DIRECTOR CORPORATE SERVICES SUPPLEMENTARY

REPORT TO COUNCIL - PART I

CLAUSE 1 – ROAD CLOSURE APPLICATION: UNFORMED ROADS

Council has received notice from Department of Trade and Investment, Crown Lands Division advising that it is considering three applications for closure of unformed public roads. Council has been asked to consider whether it has any interests which may be affected by the closing of these roads. Council’s Planning and Engineering departments have both assessed the applications, their comments are listed below. Regarding the roads under the Crown’s authority, Trade and Investment does not require Council’s consent to approve these closures. However, if Council objects to their closure, it has the right to apply to Trade and Investment to have the road transferred to its authority at no cost. Regarding the road under Council’s authority, Trade and Investment does require Council’s consent to approve this closure; if the road appears to be unconstructed it will vest back to the Crown for disposal. Proposed road closures: i). Parish of Cumbijowa - Crown road and Council road off Ercildoune Lane and Lachlan

Valley Way (File reference 15/02973); Staff comment: No objection to closure. Note the Council public road will vest to the Crown; ii). Parish of Wirrinya - Crown road and Council road off Mt Tullabung Road and Cooyong

Lane, north of Carrawandool Road (File reference 15/01412);

Staff comment: The closure of the Crown public road will remove legal access to Lot 7001 DP1033107, which is a parcel of Crown Land known as Mt Tullabung; Council has radio infrastructure on this site. The landowner of Lot 188 DP752953, who has made the road closure applications, has built an access road to Lot 7001 DP1033107 on the north side of their property, however it is not classified as legal access. A right of access should be created to Lot 7001 DP1033107 if the Crown public road is to be closed.

There is no objection to the closure of the Council public road or the share Crown and

Council road. Note the Council public road will vest to the Crown. iii). Parish of Forbes - Crown road west of Little Road, south-east of Sandhills Road (File

reference 15/02615).

Staff comment: Council has received an objection to this road closure from an adjoining neighbouring citing that this road may be required as legal access for future, potential subdivision of their lot. As only the first third of the road would be required as access for any future, potential legal access Council may wish to recommend to the Department that only the section of road adjoining Lot 30 DP1186658 remain open, and close the remainder. In the event of the full length of road being closed any future, potential subdivision would require a right of access created within the freehold be subdivided.

A copy of the letter of objection has been provided to Councillors under separate cover.



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ACTING DIRECTOR CORPORATE SERVICES REPORT TO COUNCIL – PART I cont’d:

ADCS Comment: As this road is under the Crown’s authority if Council objects to the road closure then it may transfer the road to its authority.

(A copy of these maps are provided at Appendix 1)

RECOMMENDATION That Council: i). advise Department of Trade and Investment, Crown Lands Division that

it has no objection to the proposed road closures of the Crown public road and Council public road off Ercildoune Lane and Lachlan Valley Way in the Parish of Cumbijowa (File reference 15/02973), noting the Council public road will vest to the Crown;

ii). advise Department of Trade and Investment, Crown Lands Division that

it has no objection to the proposed road closures of the Council public road off Mt Tullabung Road or the share Crown and Council public road off Cooyong Lane in the Parish of Wirrinya (File reference 15/01412), noting the Council public road will vest to the Crown;

iii). advise Department of Trade and Investment, Crown Lands Division that

it objects to the closure of the Crown road off Mt Tullabung Road in the Parish of Wirrinya (File reference 15/01412) unless a right of access is created to Lot 7001 DP1033107;

iv). consider if it objects to the closure of the Crown road west of Little

Road, south-east of Sandhills Road (File reference 15/02615).

CLAUSE 2 – ROAD CLOSURE APPLICATIONS: ACCESS TO RIVER

Further to the resolution from Council’s April meeting, NSW Trade and Investment, Crown Lands Division has been advised that Council objects to some of the proposed road closure in application 15/02552 (River Road) and CL/00297 (Lower Bathurst Street), being the roads which provide access to the Lachlan River. Council must now apply to Trade and Investment to transfer to Council’s authority: i). the unformed road north of Lot 30 DP1176476 off River Road; and ii). the unformed road west of Lot 155 DP750158 off Lower Bathurst Street.

RECOMMENDATION That Council apply to NSW Trade and Investment, Crown Lands Division to transfer to Council’s authority: i). the unformed road north of Lot 30 DP1176476 off River Road; and ii). the unformed road west of Lot 155 DP750158 off Lower Bathurst St.



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ACTING DIRECTOR CORPORATE SERVICES REPORT TO COUNCIL – PART I cont’d:

CLAUSE 3 – FORBES MUSEUM

As Council is aware, the Forbes and District Historical Society was gifted the certificate of title for 9 Cross Street, Forbes so that it could be used as an extension to the Forbes Museum. Council owns the current Forbes Museum site and leases it to the Society for a peppercorn rent. Council has met with a representative of the Society and discussed that it is in the best interest of the Society and the future of the museum if the title for 9 Cross Street (known as Lot 1 DP210529) is transferred to Council and the lot consolidated with the Forbes Museum site (known as Lot 2 DP210529). The transfer of ownership will remove the burden on the Society of paying property insurance and rates for the extension, whilst also removing the issue of door access in the party wall. The Society is expected to make an official request to Council to transfer Lot 1 DP210529, after their meeting on 21 May 2015. (A copy of these maps are provided at Appendix 2)

RECOMMENDATION That Council: i). following receipt of a formal request from the Forbes and District

Historical Society, consent to the transfer of Lot 1 DP210529 to Council for nominal consideration of $1 and classify the land as operational;

ii). following transfer of ownership to Council of Lot 1 DP210529, Council

consolidate Lot 1 DP210529 and Lot 2 DP210529 into one title; iii). delegate the Mayor and General Manager authority to sign and execute

all necessary documents including affixing Council’s Common Seal where required to give effect to the transfer of ownership of Lot 1 DP210529 to Council and the consolidation of Lot 1 DP210529 and Lot 2 DP210529 into one title;

iv). be responsible for all costs related to the transfer of Lot 1 DP210529

and consolidation of Lot 1 DP210529 and Lot 2 DP210529 into one title; v). amend the current lease with Forbes and District Historical Society for

the Forbes Museum.

Ian Prior ACTING DIRECTOR CORPORATE SERVICES



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APPENDIX 1



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APPENDIX 2



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DIRECTOR ENGINEERING &

TECHNICAL SERVICES


COUNCIL

PART I



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DIRECTOR ENGINEERING & TECHNICAL SERVICES

SUPPLEMENTARY REPORT TO COUNCIL – PART I

CLAUSE 1 – ROADS AND MARITIME SERVICES LIAISON MEETING

On Thursday 14 May the Mayor, General Manager and Director Engineering and Technical Services met with representatives of RMS as part of the regular Liaison meeting. Please find attached the minutes of this meeting (Appendix 1).

RECOMMENDATION That Council receive and note the information.

Ray Graham DIRECTOR ENGINEERING & TECHNICAL SERVICES



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APPENDIX 1

Liaison Meeting – FSC – RMS Western Region

A meeting of the RMS liaison committee was held at 2:00 pm on Thursday 14 May 2015. Present: Brian Steffen (GM - FSC), Cr Phyllis Miller OAM (Mayor - FSC) Ray Graham

(DETS – FSC) Phil Standen (Regional Manager - RMS), Peter Stitt (RMS), Stephen Darlington (RMS), Dan Hendry (RMS), Susan MacKay (RMS) and Craig Gibbons (RMS)

1). Newell Highway Heavy Vehicle Access

The issue of Higher Productivity Vehicle access (Modern Road Trains, B- Triples) to the Newell Highway was discussed. RMS are in the process of undertaking a route assessment. At this stage they have assessed the Newell Highway from West Wyalong to South Condobolin Road as being suitable. The section From Tocumwal to West Wyalong has a constraint at Grong Grong which is being dealt with and should be completed by Late 2016. North of Back Yamma Road – Parkes has been identified as a bottleneck and North of Parkes has yet been fully assessed.

2). Footpath – Camp Street Bridge

The issue was raised by Council regarding the pedestrian walkway on the old Camp Street Bridge. Council queried the potential to remove the existing walkway to widen the road pavement on the bridge to improve safety all round. RMS have identified that the bridge has reached the end of its useful life and are looking to commence planning for its replacement over the next few years.

3). Iron Bridge

The issue of the Iron Bridge and its narrow nature was discussed. RMS have identified the bridge and have commenced investigations into short term options for the bridge. RMS have identified that this bridge is the oldest of its kind in NSW and the heritage concerns for the bridge. Budget dependant, RMS are looking to commence planning for the bridge in the next year.

4). Walking and Cycling Project Nominations

The changes to the Cycling project grant application process have made it an onerous process. RMS explained the new guidelines being the change in focus being from recreational walking and cycling to cycling and walking as a mode of transport. RMS regional staff will continue to be proactive in assisting Council through the application process. Council’s efficient delivery of Active Transport projects meant they were positioned to receive additional allocations to accelerate and complete the current lake walkway. RMS (Cassandra Hodges) will contact Council to discuss 15/16 Active Transport allocations.



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5). Fixing Country Roads

RMS notified Council that they are a late comer to the fixing country roads process, providing technical assistance for Transport for NSW. It was discussed the potential increase in the fixing Country Roads project funding as part of the sale of the poles and wires.

6). Qld Model – Regional Roads Alliance

The potential of the Joint Organisations using the regional model along similar lines for the Queensland Regional Road model where linkages across multiple Local Government areas are jointly funded was discussed as part of the Fit for the Future discussions.

7). Road Maintenance Council Contracts (RMCC) matters

RMS advised that by July 2017 a new contract would be underway. Changes would be based around relationships rather than hard and fast technical specifications. RMS advised that the relationship between Forbes Council and RMS is brilliant with Forbes being one of the best Council’s in NSW western region to work with as far as project delivery and quality.

Documents

SUPPLEMENTARY BUSINESS PAPER