Tamworth Regional Council meeting 24th March 2026

Here is an overview of outcomes from the ordinary meeting of Tamworth Regional Council held on Tuesday 24^th March 2026.

• Councillors considered a report about the future of Ray Walsh House and possible associated costs for further investigations. The report followed a Mayoral Minute in September 2025 that instructed Council staff to determine the financial benefit for Council to undertake the removal of the asbestos contamination or reinstate the building. Councillors will conduct their own community consultation on the administrative headquarters to help inform a future decision around detailed planning, concepts and cost estimates, with options to be presented to the community at a Town Hall meeting should they choose to proceed with further investigations.
• Councillors reviewed an energy audit report outlining Council’s current energy performance and identifying opportunities to improve the energy efficiency of high consuming assets and facilities, expanding onsite renewable generation and meeting Council’s long-term sustainability goals. Going forward there will be a need to support asset owners in implementing recommendations prioritised by the organisation and community.
• Tamworth Regional Council Acting Executive Manager Strategy and Performance, Karen Litchfield, will attend the 2026 Canadian Association of Municipal Administrators (CAMA) Conference and study tour of local councils in British Columbia from 22 May to 2 June 2026 after the trip was approved by Council. Each year, Local Government Professionals NSW undertakes International Scholarships to New Zealand, the United States of America, Canada, Japan and the UK. Members are invited to submit an application to participate in these opportunities and Karen was successful in this one to Canada. Costs associated with the trip will be fully paid by Local Government Professionals NSW while the focus of the study tour will be Governance. Karen will also provide a report to Council following the visit.
• Councillors reviewed an update on Council deliverables outlined in Our Progress Report, July – December 2025. The Report tracks the Delivery Program actions at six-month intervals and at the conclusion of the reporting period, 85% of the recorded actions were reported as Achieved or On Track, and 15% were identified as Monitor. The report is part of the Integrated Planning and Reporting (IP&R) framework, a NSW Government legislative requirement.
• Councillors reviewed three business papers seeking assistance in supporting community initiatives. Councillors agreed to subsidise the fees associated with the hire of Council facilities and services to the amount of $20,000 and $3441 for NAIDOC Week and Youth Week, respectively. These events each provide important opportunities for connection and celebration. Councillors also agreed to approve $56,393.33 in donations to several local community groups as part of Council’s Annual Donations Program.
• Council has received and noted the findings from the 2025 Tamworth Regional Waste Audit. The audit was physically conducted in October and November 2025 to gain insight and data regarding waste streams disposed within Council’s collection systems.
• In closed council, Councillors reviewed a proposal to sell the old athletics track at the southern entrance to Tamworth city. Councillors agreed to sell and allow a developer to activate the site, which will return a profit to Council following subdivision costs. Discussions with the successful developer have been underway for some years with Councillors satisfied the proposed development now has the right balance of retail space and will deliver much needed accommodation options for visitors to the city.