This week's Minute with Mayor McKibbin

June 12, 2025

June 5, 2025

The Central NSW Joint organisation is an organisation that supports eleven Councils in the Central West including Oberon, Lithgow, Blayney and Bathurst and two County Councils being Central Tablelands Water and Central Tablelands Weeds Authority. The lobbying and purchasing power that this organisation has developed provides significant benefit to all member Councils. It is the most active and successful amongst any of the Joint organisations in NSW. This has largely been due to the dedication and commitment of its Executive Officer Jenny Bennett who has worked for the organisation and its predecessor Centroc for over twenty years. Jenny is retiring in June and Oberon at its meeting on 20 May passed a resolution thanking Jenny for her outstanding service and wishing her all the best in her retirement.

Councillor Robbie Lee was inaugurated as a new Councillor at the 20 May meeting, following the Countback election process that was undertaken to fill the vacancy left by Councillor Michael Crye.

The new Oberon Sports Complex is due for completion in June and Council has established a subcommittee to consider the management and operation of the facility. Oberon needs to ensure this facility provides a true benefit to the community and its sporting organisations including Rugby League, but it also needs to be operated efficiently and at minimal cost to Council. Council will launch an Expression of Interest (EOI) process to identify qualified individuals or organisations (such as Oberon Rugby Leagues Club) to operate the licensed club facilities at the Sports Complex. The EOI will assess applicants on experience, financial management, community engagement, legal compliance and alignment with Council policies . Authority to manage this process has been delegated to the General Manager and Working Party.

An investigation will be undertaken into revenue Council has foregone by allowing the use of its facilities (such as sports and community venues) free of charge, or by providing in-kind support through labour and services. The aim is to fully understand the value of Council's contributions to organisations and to more fairly assess any cash contributions made through Section 356 Grants. This will also inform decisions about whether any fees should be introduced. Council has agreed that this strictly economic analysis must be balanced with an understanding of the financial, psychological, physical, and social benefits that community members gain from activities run by these organisations.

Council is applying for a grant to install solar panels on three facilities and a battery in one of those facilities. Council is required to contribute 50%. Council previously requested greater detail on the payback period with a worst, median and best-case scenario provided. Despite the payback period on review being approximately 4.5 years for the median, the grant application has been submitted.

NSW Minister for Local Government Ron Hoenig has recently undertaken an investigation of Rural Fire Service (RFS) Assets on Council asset register. Councils have argued these assets should be owned by RFS not Councils. The investigation upheld Councils position. Whilst not improving the cash position of Councils it does mean the total depreciation allowance in Councils expenses is reduced allowing councils to make a profit or reduce their loss.

Council's Integrated Planning & Reporting (IP&R) document suite remains on Public Exhibition until Friday 20 June. These documents outline key elements of Council's direction for the years ahead, particularly the next financial year, including the annual budget projection, waste strategy and operations, proposed changes to fees and charges, the 2025/26 rating structure and planned major projects. Community members are encouraged to review the documents and provide feedback via Council's engagement portal at www.haveyoursay.oberon.nsw.gov.au

Clr Andrew McKibbin

Mayor

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