TRC meeting report 26th Aug 2025

Here is an overview of outcomes from the Ordinary Meeting of Tamworth Regional Council on Tuesday 26 August, 2025

• A notice of motion put forward by Councillor Charles Impey to work with the community and service providers to advocate for a Mental Health Summit for Tamworth was supported by unanimously by Councillor.
• Councillors tonight reviewed a DA from the Tamworth Aboriginal Medical Service to build a new Medical Centre, Wellbeing Centre and allied health services on Hillvue Road, South Tamworth. The proposal would see three new buildings constructed on part of the site previously known as Hyman Park, featuring medical and allied health services, a pharmacy, café, crèche, meeting rooms, reflection spaces and a yarning circle. As the site is currently owned by Council and the proposed project is above the $5 million threshold, the DA will be determined by the Northern Regional Planning Panel in September. Councillors resolved to make a submission to the Planning Panel mentioning some local concerns around the preservation of green space.
• Councillors reviewed a number of options for Commercial Developer Charges and tonight decided to change the current charging methodology and associated charges for non-residential developments to a lower, uniform charge, based on the current lowest charge. Commercial Developer Charges are payable to Council as the Local Water Utility to recover infrastructure costs associated with the additional demand created by new developments.
• Councillors have resolved to adopt a revised version of Tamworth Regional Council’s Social Media Policy. The aim of revising this social media policy was to align with the Office of Local Government’s Model Policy, and is reflective of Council’s commitment to upholding and promoting openness, relevancy, accuracy and respect in the context of social media engagement. The draft version of the policy was on public exhibition from 8 May to 5 June 2025. The policy will be added to the General Policy Register on Council’s website.
• Councillors discussed the next steps for the new Dungowan Pipeline including easement acquisition to access and manage the asset which was vested to Council from the State Government in June this year. Councillors endorsed a negotiation protocol to be managed by the NSW Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW). The Department will engage and negotiate with property owners and cover all costs of the acquisition.
• Councillors received a report outlining the outcomes of the recent Sister Cities delegation to Nashville, Tennessee, in June 2025. The visit, which coincided with the world-renowned CMA Fest, strengthened Tamworth’s long-standing Sister City relationship with Nashville through civic engagement, industry networking, and cultural exchange. Mayor Russell Webb and Executive Manager Creative Communities and Experiences Peter Ross represented Tamworth Regional Council, alongside Dr Melanie Fillios from the University of New England. The delegation gained valuable insights into tourism and destination marketing, education and industry collaboration, placemaking, and cultural programming—knowledge that will help shape future opportunities for Tamworth’s tourism, events, and creative industries.

For more information, see the full reports at www.tamworth.nsw.gov.au/business-papers