TRC meeting outcomes 22nd September 2026

Here is an overview of outcomes from the Ordinary Meeting of Tamworth Regional Council on Tuesday 22^nd September 2026.

• Community members are encouraged to review and provide feedback on a draft Contaminated Land Management Policy after Councillors agreed to put the document on public exhibition. The policy outlines Council’s framework for the identification, assessment and management of land contamination through the land use planning process.
• Councillors tonight received the results of the rural mulch sales trial, which saw 65.5 cubic metres of mulch sold across Barraba, Manilla and Nundle. The trial demonstrated strong community demand for locally available mulch, despite not fully covering operational costs. Council endorsed making the program an annual spring event and will place a proposed $50 per cubic metre charge on public exhibition for 28 days.
• Councillors reviewed several financial reports, noting an upward trend in Council investments improving the overall portfolio return. They also noted an improved position in the Annual Operational Plan budget variation report for July/August 2026. Councillors also adopted the Long-Term Financial Plan after a period of public exhibition yielded only one submission, which did not relate to the Plan. This Plan completes Council’s reporting requirements under the Integrated Planning and Reporting Framework.
• Two key financial reports, the General Purpose and Special Purpose Financial Reports for Tamworth Regional Council for the year ended 30 June 2026, have been prepared and the audit process commenced on 7 September 2026. A draft set of the financial reports were provided to the Audit, Risk and Improvement Committee (ARIC) for review on 8 September 2026. When the audit is completed, the NSW Audit Office will issue a client service report which will be presented along with the audited financial reports to ARIC for review. The audited financial statements and independent auditors report will be presented to Council and the public at the Ordinary Council Meeting to be held on 10 November 2026, in accordance with Section 419 (1) of the Local Government Act 1993.
• Councillors tonight endorsed the public exhibition of the Draft Regulatory Compliance and Enforcement Policy, which will be placed on public exhibition later this month. The draft policy aims to provide a consistent, fair, and transparent framework for Council’s compliance and enforcement activities across a range of regulatory areas, including development and building compliance, companion animal management, public health, parking, and environmental matters. Community feedback will be considered before a final policy is presented to Council for adoption at a later date.
• Councillors also endorsed the public exhibition of the Draft Animal Management Policy. The draft policy aims to promote responsible pet ownership, animal welfare, and community safety by providing clear and consistent guidance for the management of animal-related issues across the region. The public exhibition will begin later this month, with community feedback to be considered before a final policy is presented to Council for adoption.
• Councillors authorised for two motions to be submitted for the Local Government NSW Annual Conference 2026 to be held in November in Wollongong. A third motion, to remove Clause 236A from the Local Government (General) Regulation 2021, was withdrawn as it had already been resolved in Parliament. The two motions authorised are that Local Government NSW calls on the NSW Government to:

-          require elected Councillors and designated persons to disclose political party membership within the last 18 months in their disclosure returns; and

-          provide dedicated, ongoing funding to support Councils in both the construction and ongoing delivery of year-round aquatic facilities, ensuring communities have consistent access to recreation, water safety programs, health services, and sporting opportunities regardless of season.

• Councillors endorsed another document for public exhibition, the Draft Disability Inclusion Action Plan 2026-2030, which will be open for feedback from tomorrow, Wednesday 23 September. Developed through extensive consultation with people living with a disability, community stakeholders and Council’s Disability Action Working Group, the plan outlines actions to improve accessibility, inclusion, and participation across the region. There will be a number of drop-in sessions held during the public exhibition to help community members provide their feedback.
• Councillors approved $10,000 worth of funding be allocated from Council’s General Fund to the Back to the Bush Festival in Barraba. According to economic modelling, the event generates approximately $172,700 in total economic output from day visitors, along with approximately $58,636 in total economic output from overnight visitors.

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