Council Meeting Debrief 27 May 2025

Published on 28 May 2025

Meeting started at 10am, at the Walgett Shire Council Chambers

Deputy Mayor Greg Rummery chaired the meeting in the Mayor’s absence.

You can find the full agenda and meeting minutes here: www.walgett.nsw.gov.au/Council/Council-Meetings

Change of Venue – 22 July 2025 Ordinary Council Meeting

Council has resolved to relocate the Ordinary Meeting scheduled for 22 July 2025 from Carinda Community Hall to the Walgett Shire Council Chambers.

While the original intention was to encourage greater community engagement in smaller towns, two key challenges have made this unfeasible at this time:

• Mobile webcasting equipment is not yet operational.

• Carinda Hall remains impacted by damage from the November 2024 storm event.

Details of upcoming Council meetings, including dates, locations, agendas, and minutes, can be found on our website www.walgett.nsw.gov.au

For more information on how you can participate in Council meetings, please contact Executive Assistant Deb Woolfenden at ea@walgett.nsw.gov.au or on (02) 6828 6100.

Continuation of membership | New South Wales Association of Mining & Energy Related Councils

Council has deferred its decision on whether to continue its membership with the Association of Mining Related Councils (MERC) for the 2025/2026 financial year to the Ordinary Meeting on 24 June 2025.

This follows a series of previous resolutions:

• In October 2024, Council resolved to discontinue its MERC membership, citing a lack of relevance to the local area.

• In November 2024, part of that decision was rescinded, allowing Council to remain a member and appointing the Mayor and former Councillor Bailey as delegates.

Since then, several changes have occurred:

• The General Manager who made the original recommendation has since departed.

• The Interim General Manager has been unable to attend MERC meetings.

• Membership fees for 2025/2026 have not yet been provided, making it difficult to assess the value of continuing membership. For reference, the 2024/2025 fee was $9,680.

• Former Councillor Bailey, who was appointed as a delegate, has stepped down.

Council chose to defer the decision until after MERC presents at the June meeting, allowing Councillors to make a fully informed decision based on the benefits of continued membership.

Request for early release of funds | Australian Opal Centre

Council has considered a request from the Australian Opal Centre (AOC) for early release of the final $300,000 in Council funding committed to the project and has resolved not to approve the early release. 

Council has already provided $1.7 million in staged funding to support construction of the new Opal Centre. The final $300,000 is tied to a key milestone which is the lodgement of the Certificate of Occupancy. This condition was adopted by Council in May 2024 to protect public funds and ensure the project reaches its final stage before additional money is released. 

Earlier this month, the AOC wrote to Council advising of financial pressures and requesting early payment of the final contribution. Council responded promptly and in good faith, advising that it would consider the request, but would need further information to properly assess the situation including: 

To date, no further information has been received from the AOC. Without this detail, Council cannot make an informed decision, nor ensure that ratepayer funds are being used responsibly and in accordance with the original funding agreement. 

Council acknowledges the immense value of the Australian Opal Centre to the community however, Council also has a duty to act transparently and responsibly with public money. Releasing funds early, outside of agreed conditions and without documentation, would pose financial and reputational risks to Council.

The $300,000 remains committed, and will be released as soon as the Certificate of Occupancy is lodged, in line with the milestone-based agreement. 

Council will continue to support the success of the Australian Opal Centre and looks forward to the project's completion. 

Grant Activity Update | May 2025

Council currently has several grant applications in progress, including:

• Lightning Ridge Bore #2 Pipeline

• Fresh Start Upskilling Program – This initiative has enabled Council to employ a number of trainees, apprentices and cadets.

Council was also successful in securing Get Active 2025/2026 funding for the construction of a new footpath along Kaolin Street, Lightning Ridge. This will improve pedestrian safety and access to the Lightning Ridge Multipurpose Centre.

In addition, Natural Disaster Declarations are in place for Carinda and Rowena and for flood damage repairs in Collarenebri.

Walgett Memorial Swimming Pool

At the 29 April 2025 Council meeting, a report was presented outlining the next steps for the Walgett Pool, including the formation of a Project Control Group.

Councillors expressed concern about the current condition of the pool and whether it will open in time for summer. Interim General Manager Andrew Brown said  he was not aware of any major issues likely to prevent opening and confirmed that Council is working on improved staffing arrangements to avoid any delays.

Mr Brown is also in discussions with the Office of Local Sport and is preparing a business case to support further development. An update report will be presented to Council at a future meeting.

Requests for Section 356 Donations and Grants

Council approved a total of $36,000 through Section 356 of the Local Government Act 1993, which allows councils to provide financial assistance to individuals or groups in line with their strategic functions.

Approved Grants and Contributions Include:

• $3,000 to the Walgett Mud Trials to support their June 2025 event.

• $5,000 to the Walgett Rams Rugby Union Club for hosting a night game on June 2025 which includes extra lighting and equipment hire.

• $3,000 to the Walgett Jockey Club to support the 2025 Walgett Picnic Races.

• $3,000 to the Carinda Jockey Club to assist with its annual racing event in July 2025.

• $9,000 in sponsorship to 2WEB for the 2025–2026 financial year, which supports the radio station and enables Council to share information to the community and visitors. 

• $6,000 to the International Opal Jewellery Design Awards Association for their event scheduled from 19–25 July 2025.

• Up to $7,000 to cover accommodation and meal expenses in support of the Tour de OROC 2025 event in October. 

For further information about grants you can contact Councils Grant Officer Andrew Rawsthorne via admin@walgett.nsw.gov.au or 6828 6100.

Notable Mentions

Cumborah Cemetery Memorial Wall: A design has now be completed and works are expected to be completed by the end of June 2025.

Carinda Storm Remediation: 

Key milestones have been reached:

• ✅Contract Awarded– Remediation contract awarded on 11 May 2025

• ✅Works Commenced– Site works began 13 May, focusing on the existing tip cell

• ✅Tip Cell Remediated– Completed with inspections and hygienist testing on 19 May

• ✅New Waste Cell– Construction is underway to support future waste needs

• ✅Community Clean-Up–  23rd May - Complete

The Carinda Community Hall remains subject to an ongoing insurance claims process. Council is actively progressing the matter to prevent further damages to the building.

The next Ordinary Council Meeting will be held at 10.00am on Tuesday 24 June 2025 at the Walgett Shire Council Chambers, 77 Fox Street, Walgett.