What happened at the March Council meeting?

Published on 15 March 2022

Decided at Council in March

The March ordinary meeting of Kempsey Shire Council took place in Council Chambers from 9am on Tuesday 15 March.

For a full outline of the meeting, the discussion points and supporting documentation, please refer to the Agenda and Business Papers. 

Crescent Head Foreshore Carpark

Council confirmed the boundaries of the foreshore carpark component of the Crescent Head Public Domain Project and resolved to proceed with the next steps of the engagement plan adopted at the August 2021 meeting.

The boundaries adopted are based on a project scope audit involving a comprehensive review of council reports, community engagement, business reports and stakeholder interviews.

This audit was the first stage in the engagement process committed to in 2021. It evaluated the social and economic opportunities as well as the complexities surrounding the foreshore space and identified that the balance between car parking and green space in the oceanfront precinct of the foreshore is the key contention in the Crescent Head foreshore plans.

As such the other components of the Public Domain Project including Muddy arm and Little Nobby can proceed. Meanwhile consultants experienced in community conflict will be engaged to work on the foreshore plans.

Councillors discussed at length whether to include an additional 13 metre stretch of land on the southern boundary, as was suggested at Monday's Public Forum.

The financial impact of removing this area from the holiday park was considered to be highly significant, with the direct loss in income estimated at $60-80,000 per annum should the existing short term accomodation sites be sacrificed. This income is used to fund the maintenance of the surrounding crown lands and services essential to the space such as lifeguards. In addition, Councillors noted the local economic boost of the short term visitors who stay on those sites. 

Taking into consideration the community perspective, along with environmental factors and council obligations as a manager of crown land, Council chose not to adjust the Holiday Park boundaries and adopted a geographical footprint for the community engagement and design defined by the following boundaries:

• Western boundary: just past the footbridge where the path narrows towards Killick Creek
• Southern boundary: bounded by the existing holiday park boundary
• Eastern boundary: where the path narrows and meets the golf course boundary Excludes the Surf Club, holiday park and golf course existing boundaries.

Kempsey Airport pilot training proposal

Council empowered the general manager to enter into a commercial agreement with Sportfly Aviation, a local operator, to undertake pilot training activities at Kempsey Airport under a commercial agreement with council for a period of one (1) year with a further one (1) year option.

The proposed Sportfly Aviation flight training operations, whilst commercial, are primarily intended to provide opportunities for residents and visitors to the shire for recreational purposes, as opposed to training for those seeking to be a commercial pilot.

The localised nature of the proposed operations, potential positive community benefits, relatively small number of proposed aircraft movements and the use of recreational aircraft only, makes this proposal a suitable operation for Kempsey Airport.

South West Rocks Seascape Grove Estate planning proposal

Council resolved to submit a Planning Proposal to the Minister for Planning for Gateway consideration seeking to permit the minor realignment of LEP mapping layers consistent with existing development approvals at Lot 801 DP1270742 Rosedale Avenue South, South West Rocks.

The site at Lot 801 (and the adjoining Lot 800 to the south west) is owned by Auspaddy Developments Pty Ltd and forms part of the residential subdivision known as Seascape Grove Estate. Lot 801 has an area of some 18.1ha, principally comprises R1 General Residential zone while Lot 800 principally comprises C3 Environmental Management zone.

The planning proposal seeks to correct anomalies between the applicable KLEP2013 mapping layers and the boundary of the site to facilitate an approved residential subdivision.

Rental Assessment and Rebate

Council agreed to place an updated Rental Assessment and Rebate procedure on exhibition. This is the procedure by which Council-owned community facilities, commercial buildings and residential properties may be leased and licenced by individuals.

The proposed update aligns Council's procedure with the rental assessment and rebate procedure principles utilised by NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment when granting financial concessions in respect to crown land holdings. This aims to ensure an appropriate level of rental for council owned and managed properties.  

The draft procedure will be placed on exhibition for 28 days to enable feedback to be incorporated prior to adoption at a future council meeting.

Agribusiness Industry Plan

The aim to support the development of the Macleay Valley as a location for smart and sustainable agribusiness was furthered as Council adopted the Agribusiness Industry Plan. 

The Agribusiness Industry Plan maps out development of agriculture in the Macleay Valley that can guide economic development and meet the needs of our community and is a key component of the overarching Horizon 2030: Macleay Valley Economic Development and Tourism Strategy.

Council adopted the Macleay Valley Economic Development and Tourism Strategy ‘Horizon 2030’ at its October 2019 council meeting. Horizon 2030 provides a blueprint for enhancing the vibrancy, diversity, and sustainability of the Macleay Valley economy.

Sale of Land for Unpaid Rates 

Based on substantial, long-term unpaid rates and charges, Council resolved to implement sale proceedings to sell 29 properties at a public auction at a time and place to be determined and that The Centre for Sustainable Debt Recovery Pty Ltd be appointed to administer the sale on Council's behalf.

The debt owing against these 29 properties amounts to a total of $315,090.32, with interest accruing daily on outstanding amounts for both annual rates and charges and water consumption. 

The circumstances of each property vary, with the number of years outstanding varying between 6 - 14 years. While the majority of the properties are vacant lots, there are a number of houses that are believed to be uninhabited.

Council will through its Debt Recovery Agency:

• Select a real Estate Agent and Auctioneer.
• Fix a convenient time and place for the sale.
• Advertise notice of the proposed sale
• Take reasonable steps to ascertain the identity of any person with an interest in the land and take reasonable steps to notify each such person of the sale and to notify owners of adjacent properties.

Other outcomes

• Council expanded the membership of the Australia Day Committee to include additional community representatives after the mayor thanked all those who had worked on the 2022 event.
• Council adopted the Internal Audit Charters.
• Council approved the two suggested Northern Regional Planning Panel Council Nominations.
• The Statement of Cash and Investments for February 2022 was received and noted.

Watch the meeting

A video recording of the meeting can be viewed on Council's YouTube page.