TRC Meeting outcomes 22nd July 2025

Here is an overview of outcomes from the Ordinary Meeting of Tamworth Regional Council on Tuesday 22^nd July 2025:

• Councillors reviewed a report on recent water network leak detection undertaken throughout Tamworth, Kootingal and Moonbi as part of the NSW Governments Active Water Leak Detection Program. The program identified 120 leaks, with a total volume of 485 litres per minute. Results in the Tamworth region were approximately 50% lower than median results across regional NSW, with Council’s automated water meter network, leak notifications and MyTRC Water Portal providing early identification and repair opportunities. The program covered approximately 623 kilometres of water mains in the region and was funded by the NSW State Government at no cost to Council. Any leak repairs will be funded by existing water operations budget.
• Councillors tonight agreed to investigate funding streams for a range of initiatives aimed at improving environmental, social and economic outcomes along the Peel River in the Tamworth CBD. The report identified eight potential projects to improve the amenity, access and cultural connection to the river between Paradise Bridge and Jewry Street, including uses for waterways, gardens and landscaping, as well as shared path trails, festivals and events and passive recreation. The report also outlined the opportunity to align environmental projects with Council’s recently adopted motion of supporting the Yarriin: Culture, Fish and Flows – Galala (Paradise Weir) Case Study Project. In line with the report, Council agreed to allocate $40,000 from the General Fund Reserve for the removal of the damaged former Jewry Street Causeway.
• Councillors considered a report outlining the NSW Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) determination around rural bulk water services commencing 1 July 2025. Council pays charges to two State Government entities to access bulk water, both surface and groundwater – the Water Administration Ministerial Corporation (WAMC), and WaterNSW. The report indicated IPART released an Information Paper in May 2025 which proposed a 3 year determination for WaterNSW charges with a 1.9% increase plus CPI in 25-26 and then CPI increases in the subsequent 2 years.  However, on 26 June 2025 Council received advice that IPART had handed down its final determination in relation to WaterNSW charges and that this decision did not reflect the proposal contained in the Information Paper. The final IPART determination is for WaterNSW charges only, includes a 1 year determination for the 25-26 year only and increases the maximum charges WaterNSW may charge for the delivery of bulk water 5.8% plus inflation.

Based on average annual supply of water from Water NSW storages and assuming a CPI of 3% Council will pay an additional $118,212 (total of $1,461,532) in charges to WaterNSW in 2025-26.

Council has already set its charges for water in the 25-26 financial year, and there is no intention to change these charges to accommodate the increased charges levied by Water NSW at this time. However, every year Council reviews water charges given increases in cost etc and the increased charges payable to Water NSW will be included in this review.  Any changes identified will be proposed for the 26-27 financial year. Council is yet to receive a determination on the future prices for the Water Administration Ministerial Corporation and 2024-25 prices continue to apply.

• In order to ensure compliance with Legislative requirements regarding Modern Slavery compliance, Councillors agreed to place a “Draft Modern Slavery Prevention Policy” on public exhibition for 28 days. Until now, Modern Slavery has been referenced in Council’s Procurement Policy and its Statement of Business Ethics however, to ensure full compliance, Modern Slavery Prevention requires its own stand-alone policy. Should feedback be received during the exhibition period a further report will be prepared for Council’s consideration.
• Councillors approved the minutes of a recent Tamworth Region Arts Advisory Committee meeting, detailing a number of mural based projects across the region including; support of a mural to be painted in Manilla from mid-August; decommissioning of a mural opposite the Tamworth Town Hall with a replacement mural to be painted by the original artist’s son – Charlie Nivison; and supporting the State Emergency Service in selecting a location in the region for a large scale mural on a highly visible structure.
• Due to a number of Senior Council Staff attending the State Local Government Staff Conference on 12 August 2025, Councillors agreed to move the Ordinary Meeting Scheduled for 12 August to 5 August 2025.