TRC meeting 26th Oct 21 full report
TRC Meeting report
Council meeting update - 26 October 2021
After a debate of about an hour, Councillors refused consent for a proposed 999-head feedlot at Loomberah. The reasons for refusal include: the adequacy of the information in the Statement of Environmental Effects; the potential for odours to adversely impact on the amenity of residences or other land users within the vicinity of the site; the potential for the pollution of surface water and ground water; the potential for the degradation of soil; and, the suitability of the site in the circumstances relying on information contained within the Banks Report. The decision was well received by a number of Loomberah residents who attended the meeting. Three people addressed Councillors in the community consultation part of the meeting to voice their opposition to the proposed development. A report tabled at the meeting acknowledged there was “strong opposition from neighbouring landowners” to the proposal. Council received 67 unique submissions about the proposed development across two separate public exhibition periods from 48 submitters. Four were considered to be supportive or neutral to the proposal. The primary concerns raised included the potential impacts from odour, traffic, noise, dust, water contamination, visual amenity, soil degradation and land use conflict.
Tamworth’s Fitzroy Street will host a series of ‘micro events’ from next month as part of a Council initiative to bring people back to the CBD as the COVID health measures continue to ease. The annual Lighting of the Christmas Tree will be the first event on Friday December 3 after Councillors tonight endorsed the Fitzroy Street Pilot Activation Project. A report from Director Growth and Prosperity, Jacqueline O’Neill, said with the gradual easing of COVID-related Public Health Order restrictions, small scale events were identified as an opportunity to activate the Fitzroy Street precinct. “The events will provide the community with some family-friendly activities as more freedoms return as part of the Roadmap to Reopening NSW,” she said. “We want to attracting people to the CBD both day and night and this is how these micro events have been planned.” More events will be scheduled later in December and into the new year
In a move aimed at realising the vision of the Tamworth CBD outlined in Blueprint 100, Councillors tonight agreed to seek an amendment to the Tamworth Regional Local Environmental Plan 2010 to introduce design criteria for future development applications which facilitate “high quality urban design outcomes”. A report to Council explained the planning proposal would introduce a “design excellence” clause applying to new buildings or external alterations or additions to existing buildings. The change would ensure that future CBD development would contribute to the “natural, visual and built character” of the precinct and deliver a “strong and vibrant Tamworth city centre”. Council will undertake targeted engagement with CBD building owners, developers, the Tamworth City Centre Working Group and Tamworth Business Chamber regarding the planning proposal. If the Department of Planning Industry and Environment requires the proposal to go on public exhibition, Council will also seek feedback from the wider community.
Planning future improvements to Tamworth’s main street is expected to move ahead after Councillors tonight supported a recommendation from the Tamworth City Centre Working Group to extend the Peel Street Beautification Project. The group identified three further stages to occur as part of the Tamworth CBD Precinct Masterplan and Local Environmental Plan Review. It recommended a full project program be designed to enable Council to apply for grant funding as opportunities arise. The first three stages of the Peel Street Beautification Project - completed in 1995, 1999 and 2003 at a total cost of about $5 million - created the attractive streetscape and vibrant atmosphere which makes Tamworth’s CBD stand out from other regional NSW cities.
The heritage-listed Tamworth Station Master’s Residence is expected to be given a new lease of life after Councillors agreed to support Transport for NSW and other key stakeholders in its repurposing as an artist-in-residence venue. The concept arose after Transport for NSW approached Council about its funding program for the renovation and re-purposing of heritage railway buildings across the state. A report tabled at the meeting explained Transport for NSW’s preferred use of the Station Master’s Residence is a community/not-for-profit/arts/cultural purpose drawing on local partners. It said the preferred use of the nearby West Tamworth Railway Station building is as an income generating economic development/employment/training type program that can demonstrate a positive economic development outcome. Due to the relative cost of renovation, Transport for NSW considers the station master’s residence as the preferred option to receive funding. Council’s Heritage Working Group, the University of New England, Tamworth Local Aboriginal Land Council and Arts North West have been identified by Transport for NSW as potential partners in determining appropriate uses for the building. They support an artist-in-residence concept. If the project goes ahead, the cost of the building’s restoration will be fully met by Transport for NSW.
For more information, see the full reports at www.tamworth.nsw.gov.au/business-papers
Watch the video report at www.facebook.com/TamworthRegionalCouncil