Outcomes from the Ordinary Meeting of Tamworth Regional Council 30 June 2026.

Here is an overview of outcomes from the Ordinary Meeting of Tamworth Regional Council 30 June 2026.

• Following a Town Hall community information session and the consideration of submissions made throughout May, Councillors resolved to sell Ray Walsh House, including the adjoining car park on the north/western side of the building, with 5 voting in favour and 3 against. Councillors agreed on an Expression of Interest process to appoint a suitable agent to recommend the best method of sale and to conduct the sale and set a reserve price. General Manager Paul Bennett will report back to Council to obtain approval on the agent and method of sale. The carpark on the south/eastern side of the building will be provided as an option for a future purchaser, also. 
• In an effort to support the NSW Police’s efforts in the Tamworth Region, Councillors endorsed a motion to identify Council infrastructure that would be suitable to support a drone first response capability in the region. The technology is currently on trial in Moree. 
• Councillors tonight approved the attendance of Councillors Matt Sharpham, Jeff Budd and Russell Webb and managers from Council’s Water and Waste Directorate at the 2026 Local Government NSW Water Management Conference, to be held from Wednesday 2 September to Friday 4 September 2026. The conference will be hosted by Ballina Shire Council and supported by Rous County Council.
• Councillors received the Tamworth Local Transport Forum report for 6 May and 3 June 2026 at the council meeting. A key component of the report outlines three grant applications that Council has submitted within the ‘NSW Level Crossing Improvement Program (LCIP) – Regional Council Minor Works Program’ for minor works and safety improvements at rail level crossings at Darling Street, White Street and Brisbane Street. These grant applications were successful and Council will be funded to install new signage and line marking at the sites.
• Councillors have tonight reviewed the report in relation to Bowling Alley Point - Waste Disposal Services. Council agrees to allow the provision of up to 30 waste collection services (red lid) to the Bowling Alley Point Recreation Reserve Land Manager, fully subsidised by Council.
• Councillors have tonight reviewed and noted the report in relation to IPART’s determination of Water NSW’s and Water Administration Ministerial Corporation’s Bulk Water Charges. The net effect for Council charges as a result of the final determination is that Council’s cost to access average annual volumes of bulk raw water across all centres will increase from $1,586,917 in the current financial year to $2,361,499 in the 2029-2030 financial year assuming inflation of 3% each year. In future budgets, commencing with the 27-28 budget, Council will have to consider whether it can afford not to pass this increase onto consumers and the level of increase, if any, in water fees and charges.
• Councillors wrote off $139,157.51 in postponed rates and voluntary conservation agreements in accordance with section 131 of the Local Government (General) Regulation 2021. The bulk of these costs relate to land that is zoned to permit commercial, multi-residential or subdivision development, but is currently used for a single dwelling-house or rural land. A factor of the rates is postponed each year and written off after five years if the use has not changed. Voluntary conservation agreements exempt a deemed percentage of land from rates whilst the land use is restricted to enable the protection of biodiversity, habitats, or cultural heritage.
• Councillors also received and noted reports on our finances.  Council’s investments performed above the three-month Bank bill Swap rate, with a return of 4.61%, and variations to the 2025/26 budget for May were noted including the completion of works on the Barraba sewer mains in Range Street.
• Following public exhibition, Councillors adopted the 2026/27 Operational Plan and Budget, 2026/27 Statement of Revenue Policy, and Fees and Charges 2026/27. This includes a 3.2% rate increase (as approved by IPART), while the Operational Plan outlines the specific actions Council will undertake during the next 12 months. All of these documents will be available on Council’s website.
• Councillors have tonight endorsed the allocation of $28,500 from the 2026/2027 Regional Events Marketing Support Program Budget to support a diverse range of events happening across the region in the upcoming financial year. The program provides financial assistance to market events and festivals within the Tamworth region, with a strong focus on attracting overnight visitation and increasing economic impact. Funding is strictly allocated to promotional activities that build awareness and participation. 
• Tonight, Councillors received and noted the Tamworth Region Arts Advisory Committee minutes for 23 April 2026. They agreed Council will work in collaboration with the University of New England towards the development of new public artworks as part of the Tamworth campus along the Peel River Loop. The Peel River Loop sculpture trail is identified in both the Bicentennial Park masterplan and the Tamworth Region Public Art Strategy.

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