TRC Meeting outcomes 8th April 2025
Here is an overview of outcomes from the Ordinary Meeting of Tamworth Regional Council on the 8th April 2025:
Councillors endorsed the writing of a letter to all candidates for New England in the Australian Federal Election outlining a list of priorities for our region, including securing the water supply for Tamworth, Kootingal and Moonbi, affordable housing construction incentives, commitments in principle and financially to a Performing Arts Centre in Tamworth and the expansion of the Australian Equine and Livestock Events Centre (AELEC), the acceleration and significant increase to road funding construct identified road network projects, restoring Federal Assistance Grants to 1 per cent of GDP, interventions to address the shortages in medical staff in the region, measures to address socio-economic disparities in our region, and addressing gaps in communications networks.
During tonight’s Council Meeting Councillors received and noted the minutes from 11 of Council’s Section 355 Committees. Councillors also endorsed the appointment of a number of new committee members in various positions to each of these committees. Section 355 Committees have specific responsibilities which can include managing a facility, organising an event, or providing advice and recommendations to Council. Council staff are currently working on a revised committee model in the hopes of improving the experience for community volunteers and creating a more manageable governance procedure, which is often viewed as ‘red tape’. The report highlighted some great results from the MyTRC Volunteer Program, with nine new volunteers joining various community initiatives and 55 volunteers taking part in the Tamworth Country Music Volunteer Program.
Councillors tonight agreed to remove the “Reduction in Water Consumption Charges Policy” from the General Policy Register, following an online community consultation process from mid-February to mid-March. Customers will be able to make a claim under the existing policy for water consumption invoices sent out as a result of the March 30 2025, automatic meter reading. The Policy will be withdrawn as of 1 July 2025, and no further claims could be made for meter readings made on or after 30 June 2025. Local residents, including renters and businesses, are encouraged to register to access the MyTRC Water Portal to track their water usage and set up alerts for leaks and high-usage - mytrcwater.tamworth.nsw.gov.au
Council approved several road closure recommendations across the region ahead of Anzac Day later this month. The Tamworth Regional Local Traffic Committee minutes outline closures to support the safety of those attending marches and services in Tamworth, Barraba, Manilla, Attunga, Somerton, Kootingal, Bendemeer and Nundle.
The Tamworth Gymnastics Club will be hosting the Country Capital Cup in June and Council have agreed to subsidise the fees associated with the hire costs of using the Tamworth Regional Entertainment and Conference Centre. With the event expected to attract over 1100 competitors from across Australia and a projected economic boost of $1,557,512.00, a subsidisation of $12,000 from Council’s Sport Event Subsidisation Policy will be granted to help cover the $20,894 of venue hire fees.