This week's Minute with Mayor McKibbin

September 25, 2025

Published on September 25.

Oberon Council held its monthly ordinary meeting on 16 September 2025. Councillors noted that Expressions of Interest have been received for the operation of the restaurant and bar in the new Sporting Complex. These will be evaluated by the Working Party with a recommendation to the October 2025 meeting of Council. As with many Councils there are several properties with outstanding rates with non-payment accumulating. Council has determined to sell up a number of these properties where rates have been outstanding for 5 years or more to recover moneys owing. Council resolved at the meeting to enter into an updated Memorandum of Understanding with the Oberon Business and Tourism Association (OBTA) to reflect the close relationship of council and OBTA in promoting tourism and business within the Oberon area.

One of the most significant challenges Oberon township faces is the age and obsolescence of its existing sewerage treatment plant. Council has been working with government and commercial entities to replace this plant over the last 8 years with a new state of the art sewerage treatment plant that meets Oberon's future population projections, complies with regulatory requirements and meets community expectations as to how sewerage is treated. Council is mindful of being able to finance and afford a new facility within its financial strictures. It is foreshadowed that a final decision on whether to proceed with the new plant will be made within the next two months. If Council decides to proceed construction should commence later this year or in early 2026.

Nominations have opened for Australia Day Awards on Council's web site.

Nominations must be submitted by 5pm on 31 October 2025. Categories include:

Citizen of the Year,
Young Citizen of the Year (persons up to and including 25 years),
Sportsperson of the Year,
Young Sportsperson of the Year (persons up to and including 25 years)
Sports Team of the Year
Community Event of the Year
Volunteer of the Year
Volunteer Group of the Year
Environmental Champion of the Year

Andrew McKibbin
Mayor