There was 1 motion proposed by Mal and 3 questions from Mick. I did not attend the meeting.
Mal’s motion was:
That one (1) minutes’ silence be observed at this meeting in honour of Charlie Kirk and his outstanding life work for Free speech, Faith, Family and Freedom.
(Moved Cr M McKenzie/Seconded Cr M Graham)
That one (1) minutes’ silence be observed at this meeting in honour of Charlie Kirk and his outstanding life work for Free speech, Faith, Family and Freedom.
Cr J Miller moved that the motion be put.
For: Cr C Pontin, Cr J Miller, Cr P Howard, Cr J Irving, Cr T O’Keefe and Cr D Wilson
Against: Cr M Graham, Cr M McKenzie and Cr N Turnbull
Absent, did not vote: Cr P Beazley and Cr A Tickle
2025/307 RESOLUTION
(Moved Cr M McKenzie/Seconded Cr M Graham)
That one (1) minutes’ silence be observed at this meeting in honour of Charlie Kirk and his outstanding life work for Free speech, Faith, Family and Freedom.
For: Cr M Graham, Cr M McKenzie and Cr N Turnbull
Against: Cr C Pontin, Cr J Miller, Cr P Howard, Cr J Irving, Cr T O’Keefe and Cr D Wilson
Absent, did not vote: Cr P Beazley and Cr A Tickle
The motion was lost.
Mick’s questions were:
Question 1
Being that MidCoast Council granted the original license for the Wingham Abattoirs to dump untreated offal on nearby properties would the Enviromental Protection Authority deem Midcoast Council responsible for the outbreak of Tropical Soda Apple in this region?
Question 2
Would the General Manager please explain the delay in reopening the Koppin Yarratt Rd in Upper Lansdowne and how much has been spent up till now on consultants and studies to investigate the repairs needed to open the road again?
Question 3
Could the General Manager please provide an accurate figure of how much money MidCoast Council has spent on climate action in the Operational Plan 2024-25 as a result of the Climate Change Policy?
Responses by Director Liveable Communities
Response to Question 1
The NSW Environment Protection Authority has no legislative role in regulating the Biosecurity Control Order for Tropical Soda Apple.
It is important to note that Wingham Beef Exports approval to operate two paunch sites was issued in 2005. This approval was 5 years prior to Tropical Soda Apple first being detected in Australia in 2010. A Statewide Biosecurity Control Order for Tropical Soda Apple came into effect in 2017 and was again re-issued in 2022.
Wingham Beef Exports have a Biosecurity Undertaking with MCC as the Local Control Authority to manage the paunch sites to ensure the appropriate control of Tropical Soda Apple.
Response to Question 3
MidCoast Council spent $149,921 on climate action in 2024-25 as a result of the Climate Change Strategy that was adopted by Council in June 2021.
Response by Director Infrastructure & Engineering Services
Response to Question 2
A section of Koppin Yarrat Road was closed indefinitely by resolution of the Council more the ten years ago. This followed significant slope instability that rendered the road unsafe for vehicular access, requiring remediation and consistent maintenance well beyond Council’s capacity. The road was temporarily reopened by forestry for emergency access in 2019 responding to the bushfires. No funding has been expended on studies or consultants as there is no intention to formally reopen the road in the future.