ITEM 1 - ELECTION OF COMMITTEE CHAIRPERSON & DEPUTY CHAIRPERSON
REPORT IN BRIEF
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Reason For Report |
Election of Charperson & Deputy Chairperson for the Environment, Innovation and Energy Committee. |
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Policy Implications |
Nil |
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Budget Implications |
Nil |
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IPR Linkage |
1.2.2.1a - Facilitate Council and standing committee meeting processes. |
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Annexures |
Nil |
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File Number |
\OFFICIAL RECORDS LIBRARY\GOVERNANCE\COUNCIL MEETINGS\COUNCIL - COMMITTEE MEETINGS - 1768508 |
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THAT the committee elect a Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson for the term of council.
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Deputy General Manager - Cabonne Services' REPORT
As this is the first meeting of the Environment, Innovation and Energy Committee for the new term of council, the committee will need to elect a Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson for the ensuing year.
Council’s Code of Meeting Practice provides as follows;
The chairperson of each committee of the council must be:
(a) the mayor, or
(b) if the mayor does not wish to be the chairperson of a committee, a member of the committee elected by the council, or
(c) if the council does not elect such a member, a member of the committee elected by the committee.
The council may elect a member of a committee of the council as deputy chairperson of the committee. If the council does not elect a deputy chairperson of such a committee, the committee may elect a deputy chairperson.
It has been council’s practice in the past for Committees to elect their Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson. The Mayor has indicated that he does not wish to automatically be considered as Chairperson of any committees.
ITEM 2 - APPLICATIONS FOR LEAVE OF ABSENCE
REPORT IN BRIEF
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Reason For Report |
To allow tendering of apologies for councillors not present. |
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Policy Implications |
Nil |
|
Budget Implications |
Nil |
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IPR Linkage |
1.2.2.1a - Facilitate Council and standing committee meeting processes. |
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Annexures |
Nil |
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File Number |
\OFFICIAL RECORDS LIBRARY\GOVERNANCE\COUNCIL MEETINGS\COUNCIL - COUNCILLORS LEAVE OF ABSENCE - 1722605 |
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THAT any apologies tendered be accepted and the necessary leave of absence be granted.
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General Manager's REPORT
A call for apologies is to be made.
ITEM 3 - DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
REPORT IN BRIEF
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Reason For Report |
To allow an opportunity for councillors to declare an interest in any items to be determined at this meeting. |
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Policy Implications |
Nil |
|
Budget Implications |
Nil |
|
IPR Linkage |
1.2.2.1a - Facilitate Council and standing committee meeting processes. |
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Annexures |
Nil |
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File Number |
\OFFICIAL RECORDS LIBRARY\GOVERNANCE\COUNCIL MEETINGS\COUNCIL - COUNCILLORS AND STAFF DECLARATION OF INTEREST - 2024 - 1722626 |
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THAT the Declarations of Interest be noted.
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General Manager's REPORT
A call for Declarations of Interest.
ITEM 4 - DECLARATIONS OF POLITICAL DONATION
REPORT IN BRIEF
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Reason For Report |
To allow for an opportunity for Councillors to declare any Political Donation received. |
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Policy Implications |
Nil |
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Budget Implications |
Nil |
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IPR Linkage |
1.2.2.1a - Facilitate Council and standing committee meeting processes. |
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Annexures |
Nil |
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File Number |
\OFFICIAL RECORDS LIBRARY\GOVERNANCE\COUNCIL MEETINGS\COUNCIL - COUNCILLORS DECLARATION OF POLITICAL DONATIONS - 1722640 |
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THAT any political donations be noted.
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General Manager's REPORT
A call for declarations of any political donations.
ITEM 5 - INNOVATION & TECHNOLOGY UPDATE
REPORT IN BRIEF
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Reason For Report |
To update Committee on Innovation & Technology matters. |
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Policy Implications |
Nil |
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Budget Implications |
Nil |
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IPR Linkage |
1.3.2.1d - Work with other stakeholders to lead actions and initiatives in climate change for Cabonne and the region. |
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Annexures |
Nil |
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File Number |
\OFFICIAL RECORDS LIBRARY\GOVERNANCE\REPORTING\ENVIRONMENT INNOVATION AND ENERGY COMMITTEE REPORTING - 1771958 |
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THAT the committee note the information in this report.
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Department Leader - Innovation & Technology's REPORT
CARBON EMISSIONS
Through an initiative of the Central NSW Joint Organisation (CNSWJO) developed by 100% Renewables, council now has a tool which can be used to track council’s Scope 1 and Scope 2 carbon emissions. 2018/19 – 2020/21 were included in council’s emissions reduction plan, however using the tool emissions for 2021/22 – 2023/24 have been calculated.
Over the period from 2018/2019 to 2023/24 emissions have risen slightly from 11,415t to 12,658t CO2-e per annum, with some fluctuation in between. The effect of the November 2022 flood event can be seen in the waste figures with 2022/23 recording a large increase in emissions compared to previous years.
When entering the current energy contract council opted for 100% renewable power for its large market sites (consumption greater than 100MWh per annum) and streetlights. This has seen emissions for streetlighting drop to zero and other electricity related emissions drop from 1,125t CO2-e in 2018/19 to 822t CO2-e in 2023/24 or from 9.86% to 6.49% overall.
Council staff are working on developing a consistent approach to reporting with a view of making this an annual report to council.
COMMUNITY ENERGY UPGRADES FUND
Council submitted projects from Electrify Cabonne in an application to the Federal Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water’s Community Energy Upgrades Fund. Grant applications closed in April 2024, with an announcement expected in September 2024. Unfortunately this announcement has been delayed.
FAST EV CHARGER
Under the NSW Government’s Fast Charging grant program, NRMA, with the support of council, won a bid to install a fast charger at the Molong Railway Station. Molong was identified in the NSW Electric Vehicle Public Charging Master Plan as a key location for fast charging infrastructure and the Molong Railway Station specifically due to its proximity to amenities such as shops and public toilets.
After working through numerous issues, it was determined the Molong Railway Station was not going to be a suitable site and so council instead opting to allow the install in the newly constructed Gaswork’s Lane carpark. Despite best efforts of staff, construction was not possible before the car park was sealed.
Council staff are still working with NRMA to establish the charger; however, several upgrades need to be made to the energy supply in the area. NRMA are working through this process with Essential Energy. The deadline for the funding is February 2025.
MID-SCALE SOLAR PLANT
Council’s Mid-Scale Solar Plant continues to progress, with the following activities underway:
· Procurement of Battery Energy Storage System and Inverter
· Detailed Design
· Level 3 Detailed Design for Contestable Works
· Geotechnical reports
· Early site clearing and site preparation
· Landholder engagement for properties potentially affected by the conductor and pole upgrades (in both Cabonne and Forbes LGA’s)
Upon completion of the detailed design works, and subsequent approvals, council will be able to tender for the various aspects of the plant’s construction.
Significant expense has yet to be incurred, as such the bank loan has not yet been drawn down and council staff will hold off until it is needed.
PAYROLL SYSTEM REPLACEMENT
Council’s Finance, Innovation & Technology and Safety, People & Culture staff have been working to develop and roll out council’s new electronic payroll system Ready Community Payroll. On the 31 August 2024, council went live with Ready Community Payroll with all council staff receiving training in its operation in the week prior. The response and uptake by staff have been largely positive and well above expectations.
With only 4 complete pay periods in the new system the project is still ongoing with a few issues left to be resolved and some additional tailored training or guidebooks to be developed to target specific issues. However initial results are very positive with all council staff now completing and approving timesheets and leave forms electronically, eliminating a large amount of double handling of paper.
ITEM 6 - CENTRAL NSW EV DRIVE DAY
REPORT IN BRIEF
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Reason For Report |
For the information of the committee. |
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Policy Implications |
Nil |
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Budget Implications |
Nil |
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IPR Linkage |
1.3.2.1a - Implement the adopted actions from Council’s Renewable Energy Action Plan (REAP). |
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Annexures |
1. 2024 EV Drive Day⇩ |
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File Number |
\OFFICIAL RECORDS LIBRARY\GOVERNMENT RELATIONS\LOCAL AND REGIONAL LIAISON\CENTRAL NSW JOINT ORGANISATION (CENTROC) - 1772209 |
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THAT the committee note the information provided in the report.
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Deputy General Manager - Cabonne Services' REPORT
The Central NSW Joint Organisation is hosting an Electric Vehicle Drive Event in Bathurst on 5-6 December 2024. Attached is the flyer with more details.
Day 1 of the event is on Thursday 5 December, targeted at elected representatives, councils’ Executive Leadership Teams, sustainability staff, fleet staff, mechanics and operators, and any other staff who may be interested in EVs or have a leaseback vehicle.
There will be a large selection of vehicles at the event available for test driving, as well as some light trucks and machinery for display. There will also be a variety of presentations from industry bodies including the NSW Government’s Net Zero Transport Team, the Electric Vehicle Council of Australia, the Australian Fleet Management Association, IPWEA Fleet, EV Fire Safe, Essential Energy and many more.
To register for this event, please visit Sticky Tickets. Please note that the ticket includes barista coffee and lunch for the day.
In addition to the registration link, the Liability Acceptance form will need to be completed if you would like to test drive any of the vehicles.
Tickets are limited to this event and registrations are a must.
ITEM 7 - ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICE UPDATE REPORT
REPORT IN BRIEF
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Reason For Report |
For the information of the committee. |
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Policy Implications |
Nil |
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Budget Implications |
Nil |
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IPR Linkage |
1.2.2.1a - Facilitate Council and standing committee meeting processes. |
|
Annexures |
Nil |
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File Number |
\OFFICIAL RECORDS LIBRARY\GOVERNANCE\COUNCIL MEETINGS\COMMITTEES - REPORTS OF 2024 - 1772300 |
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THAT the information be noted.
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Deputy General Manager - Cabonne Services' REPORT
The Department Leader Environment Services will provide an update to the committee under separate cover.
