February 2026 Oberon Council Meeting

Council held its February meeting under the newly adopted Code of Meeting Practice (COMP).  Key changes the introduction of a 5:00pm public forum, where community questions, limited to items in the business paper are now heard before the Council meeting and Councillors who do not wish to participate in the opening prayer are able to leave the chamber without a formal request to the mayor.

Public Forum

Ms Rhonda Taylor, CEO of Elevate delivered a presentation outlining the organisations aims and current priorities.  This was followed by a question from Mr Grima of Trunkey Creek who advised he had not received acknowledgment of a written complaint to the Mayor regarding statements on the public record made by Councillor Hayden at the 9 December 2025 meeting with wind proponent, TAG and Stromlo Energy.  The residents of Trunkey Creek and Triangle Flat requested that these statements made by Councillor Hayden be publicly corrected as these statements may have been relied upon and he wished to ensure an accurate record. The Mayor acknowledged his oversight due to Christmas holidays and confirmed he will respond to Mr Grima and forward his additional questions to the Pines.

The meeting was opened in prayer at 5:30pm by Father Owen Gibbons

The Mayor reaffirmed to all Councillors the changes to the new Code of Meeting Practice (COMP)

Two Notices of Motion submitted by Councillor Tucker were unsuccessful. The first sought specialised and tailored training, but concerns were raised regarding its relevance, availability, lack of costing, and the extensive onboarding program that Councillors had already undertaken from October 2024 to March 2025, that included a presentation from Paul Crennan Legal an accredited specialist in local government and planning law.  In addition, the Office of Local Government provides training for all Councillors to undertake.

The second motion requested a report on the inspections carried out on roads and footpaths, and the degree of protection this provides under the Civil Liabilities Act.  Currently any issues or claims that arise are reported (when occurring) through the General Managers Monthly Report and additionally, Council had previously supported these matters be included in the General Managers Annual Performance Review.  It was agreed that the GM continue with the current reporting process.

Reports for Decision

Endorsement was sought and agreed for the open tendering method for construction only of the Abercrombie Landslide Remediation Works, as prescribed in accordance with Clause 166(b) of the Local Government Regulation 2021. It was advised that completion of a detailed design prior to construction will ensure appropriate technical expertise is engaged for the design phase and provides greater scope clarity and cost certainty, allowing construction tenders to be assessed on a consistent basis and reducing the risk of variations while improving risk management by identifying constructability, safety, and environmental considerations early in the project lifecycle.

Council endorsed the Draft Waste Strategy to be placed on public exhibition for 28 days.

Council endorsed the Draft Oberon Council Digital Plan 2026, developed in collaboration with NBN Co, Telstra, Regional Development Australia - Central West and other partners be placed on public exhibition for 28 days. 

Tree Removal in Oberon Street - One of the four oak trees near the central pedestrian crossing in Oberon Street has died due to unknown causes and it was recommended to remove (including stump grinding) and replace it using the TI Legacy Fund allocation for Beautification Street Tree Planting.  After much debate Council resolved to replacing the dead tree with a mature oak using the existing Town Streets Tree Maintenance budget or if insufficient funds available the TI Legacy Fund allocation for Beautification Street Tree Planting up to the value of $9,500 ex GST.  The costing includes required traffic control and accounts for most of this cost.

The Complaints Handling Policy 2101 and Positive Working Relationships Policy 2123 Policies that had been on public exhibition was adopted and will be published on the Council’s website.

Road Funding Update Report - Council has undertaken a comprehensive review of its road network programs in response to asset condition, repeated severe weather events, and multiple natural disaster declarations. Adjustments across the Regional Emergency Road Recovery Fund (RERRF), Roads to Recovery (R2R), and Natural Disaster‑funded programs now prioritise essential maintenance, drainage, vegetation management, and safety‑critical works. Several capital projects have been deferred, re‑scoped, or reclassified to ensure funding is directed to the highest‑risk areas and remains compliant with program requirements and acquittal timelines.

Civil Engineer & Works Manager, Daksh Bishnoi, provided Councillors with further technical expert advice on the need for this reprioritisation.

The Quarterly Budget Review (QBR2) position now reflects a maintenance‑led, risk‑based approach that supports immediate network operability while enabling long‑term recovery, rehabilitation, and alignment with the Oberon Community Strategic Plan.

Council endorsed the changes to the FY2025/26 Roads Program including the variations to RERRF, Roads to Recovery and Natural Disaster Funding allocations.

Quarterly Budget Review Statement 2 (QBR2) - October - December 2025

Council endorsed the following Operational Plan budget adjustments:

a) Inclusion of the following items:

     i. Land Use Strategy - additional budget allocation funded from the Land Development Reserve 

b. Note the roads projects adjustments, as detailed in the Roads Report, including:

Regional Emergency Road Repair Fund (RERRF) Roads to Recovery (R2R)  Natural Disaster Projects AGRN1119 Natural Disaster Projects AGRN1034

Committee Reports - 

The Black Springs Hall Committee Report was noted with the advise that since the December 11 2025 meeting all community members serving on the committee had tendered their resignations. With no remaining members, the committee can no longer meet the governance and administrative requirements needed to operate as a Section 355 committee.

Council endorsed acknowledging and sincerely thanking all former committee members for their commitment, time, and significant contributions to the Black Springs community.

A further report will be presented outlining possible models and actions to move forward and in the interim, Council staff will continue to work with the Councillor delegates and manage general day‑to‑day operations of the hall to ensure continuity of service to the community.

Community Services - Council received and noted the minutes of the Community Services Committee held on 11 December 2025. 

ARIC - Council received and noted minutes of the Audit Risk and Improvement Committee Meeting held on 10 December 2025 and noted the Audit Risk and Improvement Committee Annual Report.

2026/27 IPART Rate Determination - Council endorsed applying the 3.3% rate peg as approved by the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) as the basis for the development of the 2026/27 Integrated Planning and Reporting documents.

Internal Audit Plan Scope Amendment - Council supported amending the two-year internal audit plan to undertake a service delivery audit of Parks and Gardens operations.

Reports for Information

100 Year Anniversary - O’Connell Avenue of Trees - Council received correspondence from the O’Connell Valley Community Group, on behalf of the Community Guardians of the O’Connell ANZAC Avenue of Trees Group, seeking Councils approval to complete the ANZAC installation as marked and approved as part of the O’Connell Recreation Ground Masterplan and to be unveiled at the 100-year anniversary celebrations

Council endorsed the request for the installation of permanent components - six signs, a pink granite rock with plaque and a Desert Ash tree - within the area identified in the existing Masterplan, with progress updates to be provided throughout the installation.

In Confidential Councillors received an update on the Weed Spraying Contractor program. Council endorsed that Council rescind Motion 30 of 18 November 2025 and to establish a Roadside weed spraying contractor panel comprising Howes Agriculture and Central Tablelands Weeds Authority (CWTA) for the program ending 31 December 2026 and allocate the initial work program across the panel  with an estimated total cost of a range of  $120k to $150k based  on a shared delivery across the 300km network.  Any proposed expenditure exceeding this range be reported back to Council prior to Contract execution or further allocation of work by review of the performance of both contractors by the end of the program.

Meeting closed at 8:47pm