TRC meeting outcomes 14th July 2026

Here is an overview of outcomes from the Ordinary Meeting of Tamworth Regional Council held Tuesday 14 July 2026.

• Councillors supported a Mayoral Minute outlining challenges and inefficiencies from a legislated amendment to the Local Government (General) Regulation 2026. Council resolved to write to the NSW Premier stating their concerns, and to also lobby against the change at the upcoming Local Government NSW Conference. The amendment prohibits any Councillor other than the Mayor to engage with any briefing or workshop sessions with staff prior to Council Meetings.
• Council’s Long-Term Financial Plan (LTFP), which spans 10 financial years, will be on public exhibition for 28 days after Councillors reviewed the document. The document is part of the suite of documents that makes up the Integrated Planning and Reporting framework. The LTFP is reviewed annually.
• In May 2026, EnergyCo released revised plans for the proposed transmission corridor to connect the New England Renewable Energy Zone to the Bayswater Power Station in the Hunter Valley, including through Council-owned property upstream from Dungowan Dam. Councillors noted the revisions including less Council-owned property impact, a reduced corridor, and the compulsory acquisition powers of EnergyCo regardless of Council’s position on any proposed easement/s. Councillors noted the expected next steps of the project acquisition process.
• Councillors have tonight agreed to explore the potential sale of former Kootingal Groundwater Supply Wells 1 and 3, with neighbouring landowners to be approached to gauge interest and negotiate potential sale terms. Any proposed sale will be subject to a further report and formal Council approval.
• Councillors tonight endorsed public exhibition of proposals to renew seven Alcohol Free Zones across the Tamworth region for a further four years from 29 December 2026. Councillors also endorsed the continuation of alcohol restrictions in five regional parks. Community feedback will be considered before making a final decision later this year.
• The 2026 National Roads, Transport and Infrastructure Congress has a focus on fuel security, supply chain resilience, road infrastructure design, accessibility and driver behaviour. To understand and identify areas of improvement and innovation for the Tamworth Region, Councillors Brendon North, Matt Shapham and Charles Impey (tentative) will attend the conference in Cairns.
• Mayor Russell Webb, Deputy Mayor Jeff Budd and Councillors Mark Rodda and Brendon North will be attending the 2026 Local Government NSW Annual Conference in Wollongong in November as voting delegates along with General Manager Paul Bennett. Councillor Ryan Brooke, Matt Sharpham and Marc Sutherland will attend as observers. Councillors are allocated the sum of $2,000 annually to attend the Local Government NSW Annual Conference.
• Councillors reviewed a draft Extreme Heat Policy which will be on display on Council’s website for public exhibition and feedback in the coming days.
• An amendment to the recently adopted New Fees and Charges 2026/2027 will be placed on public exhibition after sections relating to Drainage Diagrams, and an update to Conveyancing Certificates – Outstanding Notices fee were inadvertently omitted from a previous draft. The documents will be on Council’s website for 28 days.
• Councillors agreed to make a $10,000 donation to the Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service for their annual fundraising ball. Councillors recognised the significant contribution the service makes to the community through aeromedical and rescue responses.

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