Tamworth Regional Council meeting 2nd June 2026

Here is an overview of outcomes from Tamworth Regional Council Ordinary Meeting of Tamworth Regional Council on Tuesday 2 June 2026.

• Councillors tonight adopted Draft Amendment No. 19 of the Tamworth Regional Development Control Plan 2010 (TRDCP) - Site Specific Controls for Stratheden Estate. The TRDCP provides “how to” guidance for anyone proposing to undertake development in the Tamworth Region. This amendment was to introduce a new chapter for the Stratheden residential housing estate, located on Manilla Road and Browns Lane, Oxley Vale. Feedback received during the public exhibition was reviewed and incorporated, resulting in amendments to the initial draft that are now included in the adopted version.
• Following extensive consultation with the community, businesses and State Government agencies, Councillors resolved to adopt the Planning Proposal for the Establishment of the Tamworth Special Entertainment Precincts (SEPs). Council will now commence a 12-month trial period of the provisions associated with the Tamworth SEPs in the Central Business District and Sports and Entertainment Precinct. During the trial, community, businesses, and State Government agencies will have the opportunity to provide further feedback before a decision is made on whether to permanently establish SEPs in Tamworth.
• Councillors have received several recommendations made by the Tamworth Local Transport Forum including load limit changes in Calala and Nemingha. The recommendation by the forum would see the 25-tonne load restriction removed from O’Briens Lane, Nemingha, and the installation of a 25-tonne load restriction from Kurrawan Street, South Tamworth, to Burgess Lane, Calala. Under these modifications, concrete trucks or other construction traffic can still legally use Calala Lane if their delivery destination is within the zone (Calala) while it would also allow the GML and CML B-Doubles (19m, 23m and 25/26m) to access Loomberah Road via Nundle Road/O’Briens Lane without the need for a permit, whilst preventing highway traffic from detouring through Calala.
• Councillors discussed the Draft Centrepay Complaints and Procedures Policy, a new policy to Council which may be relevant to locals who make property-related debt payments via their Services Australia payment. The policy is based on the Services Australia model and will be on public exhibition in the coming days on Council’s website.
• Council investments are performing well off the back of the Reserve Bank of Australia rate rise in May, with some term deposit rates above 5% creeping into the portfolio. The rise does however mean sourcing loans for projects will see loan borrowing rates move closer to 6.5%. Council’s portfolio continues to perform above the three-month Bank Bill Swap rate.
• Council have agreed to the refinancing of the Variable Commonwealth Loan in relation to technology improvements. The refinancing of this loan will not increase Councils loan liability but change the structure of the loan from a variable to a fixed loan.
• Tonight, Councillors noted the Quarterly Budget Review Statements to 31 March 2026, noting grant fund payments are still to be made for the current financial year. Councillors also noted variations to the current Operational Plan and Budget 2025/2026. The 2026/2027 Operational Plan and Budget are currently on Public Exhibition and open for feedback.
• Councillors have tonight agreed to adopt the 2021 Code of Meeting Practice following a vote from the NSW Legislative Council to revoke the 2025 Code of Meeting Practice. Council will wait for further advice from the NSW Office of Local Government in relation to any revised Code of Meeting Practice.
• Councillors agreed to adopt the Tamworth Regional Council Night Time Economy Strategy 2026-2031 following public exhibition of the draft strategy in March and April. All submissions received during the exhibition period were considered, with Councillors provided a comprehensive summary of community feedback along with responses and/or amendments made in relation to the feedback. While many of the initiatives identified in the strategy are not yet funded, the framework will guide and inform Council’s future planning, with actions to be implemented across projects and activities that support and enhance the region’s night time economy.

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