TRC Meeting outcomes 27th October 2026

Below is an overview of outcomes from TRC Ordinary Meeting of Tamworth Regional Council Tuesday 27 October 2026.

• The Draft Tamworth Water Security Plan will be placed on public exhibition after Councillors considered the document this week. The draft plan explores a range of factors relating to water security of Tamworth, Moonbi and Kootingal including available water sources, local water demand, infrastructure options, and the implementation of a preferred solution.
• Councillors agreed to write to the NSW Water Minister, NSW Shadow Minister for Water, NSW Greens Water Spokesperson and the Member for Tamworth seeking support to secure the necessary approvals for the long-term operation of the Chaffey Dam Pipeline.  The pipeline was originally built to support water supply to Tamworth, Kootingal and Moonbi in times of drought when Chaffey Dam drops below 20 per cent capacity. Council will advocate the pipeline remains an important component of local water security and the development of an operational plan to facilitate regular maintenance and more frequent use outside drought conditions to reduce in stream losses from the Peel River and improve local water security.
• To help protect the landscapes that shape the identity, character, cultural heritage, and environmental, social, and economic values of the region, Council staff have developed the Tamworth Regional Landscape Values Strategy. Informed by targeted stakeholder engagement, Councillors tonight voted to place the draft strategy on public exhibition next month to seek feedback from the broader community.
• Councillors tonight adopted the Tamworth Regional Section 7.12 Development Contributions Plan 2026. Following public exhibition, amendments were made to strengthen the plan, including additional infrastructure projects, administrative provisions, and an exemption for secondary dwellings to support housing affordability and supply. The new plan will provide a streamlined framework for funding roads, active transport, community facilities, parks, and recreation infrastructure across the Tamworth region.
• To support future housing growth, Councillors tonight endorsed a proponent-led planning proposal to amend the Tamworth Regional Local Environmental Plan 2010 (TRLEP 2010) for Stage 1 of Bellevue Estate at Warral and Kingswood. The proposal will also form the first phase of the Southern Gateway Activation Precinct and seeks to rezone approximately 208 hectares of land for large lot residential development, paving the way for around 380 new residential lots. The proposal will now be submitted to the NSW Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure for Gateway Determination, with community consultation and public exhibition to be undertaken as part of the next stage of the planning process.
• Councillors tonight voted to place the draft Tamworth Regional Renewable Energy Contributions Policy and accompanying Renewable Energy Positions and Expectations document on public exhibition for 28 days. The draft policy proposes a 25% increase on the NSW Government's baseline contribution rates, with annual benchmarks of $1,062.50 per megawatt (MW) for solar, $1,312.50 per MW for wind, and $1,062.50 per MW or $187.50 per megawatt hour (MWh) for battery storage. It also retains Council's aspirational target of 1.5% of a project's capital investment value and proposes additional contributions for First Nations-led initiatives. The accompanying document outlines Council's expectations for responsible project planning, community consultation, management of local impacts and lasting regional benefits. Community feedback on both documents will be considered before they return to Council for potential adoption.
• Councillors approved the public exhibition of the Draft Tamworth Regional Airport Master Plan 2026. The community will be able to leave feedback on the draft master plan from October 28 for a period of 28 days. The draft plan has been prepared to provide a strategic framework for the future development, operation, and protection of Tamworth Regional Airport for the next 20 years. The master plan was drafted following technical investigations, aviation forecasting, and an extensive stakeholder and community engagement program. Feedback from the public exhibition will be considered before a final policy is presented to Council for adoption at a later date.
• Councillors tonight approved changes to the upcoming delegation to Japan and Singapore, following the Mayor’s advice that he is unable to attend. Deputy Mayor Budd will represent the Mayor during the visit, with Cr Sharpham appointed as a delegate to continue strengthening Council’s long-standing Sister City relationship with Sannohe and key aviation partnerships in Singapore.

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