Council - 22 Sep 2026 2:00 PM

Topics

• Beatty elected Mayor and Jones Deputy Mayor for Cabonne’s next two years
  Cabonne Council’s leadership changed or was confirmed through uncontested elections extending to September 2028.
  The Mayor and Deputy Mayor will lead Council through the next local-government election period.
• Cabonne adopts amended farmland rating policy after removing environmental subcategory
  Council removed a proposed Farmland–Environmental rating subcategory and adopted an amended farmland rating policy.
  Some rural property owners may face a rating subcategory change and will be notified and consulted.
• $672,000 Eugowra CBD activation contract awarded
  A major contract has been awarded for Eugowra CBD activation and main-street upgrade works.
  The project represents a substantial public investment and may create construction and business impacts in the town centre.

Decisions

• Mayor and Deputy Mayor elected
  Councillor Kevin Beatty was elected Mayor and Councillor James Jones was elected Deputy Mayor for the ensuing two years, until the September 2028 local government election.
  The elected leadership will guide Council through the next two years.
• Farmland Rating Policy adopted
  Council adopted the amended Farmland Rating Policy, removed the proposed Farmland–Environmental subcategory, and authorised consultation with property owners whose farmland rating subcategory may change.
  Affected rural property owners may receive notification and have an opportunity to participate in the statutory consultation process.
• Active transport grant applications approved
  Council authorised grant applications for a footpath on Euchareena Road between Betts Street and Molong Showground, and a route on Renshaw McGirr Way between St Columba’s Catholic Primary School and Bournewood Road, Yeoval. Council will provide co-contributions from reserves if successful.
  The projects could improve walking and cycling access in Molong and Yeoval, subject to grant success.
• Event and community funding approved
  Council approved $5,000 for the Eugowra Harness Racing Club’s 2026 Canola Cup, $5,000 for the Molong October Village Market, $25,000 to the Molong Advancement Group for proposed Hunter Caldwell Oval upgrades, $3,000 for the Cumnock steel sculpture project and $11,000 for replacement roofing at the Crossroads building.
  Community organisations and local events will receive Council funding for activities, facilities and local place improvements.
• Alcohol-free zone suspensions approved for Christmas events
  Council authorised suspension of alcohol-free zones covering Gaskill Street, Canowindra and Bank Street, Molong, including adjoining road reserves and footpaths, for the 2026 Christmas shopping events. A request was made to extend the Molong area past Shields Lane to include Edward Street, but the recorded motion specifies Bank Street.
  Alcohol restrictions will be temporarily suspended in the specified event areas; residents should expect event-related activity and apply normal public-safety precautions.
• Manildra distribution centre modification approved
  Development Application DA2026/0163 for modification of a warehouse or distribution centre at 18 Dederang Street, Manildra, was approved subject to conditions. The decision was supported unanimously in the recorded division.
  The approval permits changes to a significant local industrial or commercial site, subject to development conditions.
• Showground licence fee redirected to enhancement funds
  Council resolved that the annual $657 licence fee paid by users of Council-managed showgrounds be placed into a reserve for each showground to establish Showground Enhancement Funds. Council also reaffirmed that users should bear licence administration and management costs and directed staff to develop a Crown Land Licence Agreements policy.
  Showground user groups will continue to pay the licence fee, but the funds are intended to support agreed improvements at each showground.
• Draft financial statements sent for audit
  Council approved the 2025–2026 Draft Financial Statements for audit, accepted the Responsible Accounting Officer’s certification, and noted that audited statements are due to be presented at the November 2026 Ordinary Council meeting.
  The audit and subsequent public presentation will provide information about Council’s financial position and performance.
• Eugowra CBD activation contract awarded
  In confidential session, Council awarded Contract 1992227 for Eugowra CBD Activation to Conseth Solutions Pty Ltd for $671,975.90 excluding GST and authorised the General Manager to execute the contract.
  The contract funds works intended to activate and upgrade Eugowra’s central business area.
• Housing and land development project progressed
  Council authorised the General Manager to continue negotiating the acquisition of land for Phase 2 of the Cabonne Housing and Land Development Project in Eugowra, subject to the REDCIP funding deed being fully entered into with the NSW Government.
  The project could support additional housing and land development in Eugowra, but negotiations remain conditional on funding arrangements.

Discussion

• Local government financial ratios
  Council noted a discussion paper and considered the effects of grant timing, disaster funding, cash reserves, depreciation and five-year modelling on assessments of rural councils’ financial performance.
  The discussion may influence how Cabonne’s financial capacity and sustainability are assessed by government bodies.
• LGNSW conference motions
  Council endorsed motions for submission to the 2026 Local Government NSW Conference.
  The motions allow Council to advocate on issues affecting Cabonne through the state local-government sector.
• Yeoval Historical Walk
  Council confirmed its role as Crown Land Manager for Reserve 17, known as Poets Walk, and expanded the Yeoval Historical Society’s authority to maintain and promote sculptures, artwork and historical elements, while retaining Council responsibility for general management.
  The arrangement supports ongoing community involvement in maintaining and promoting a local public reserve.
• Community survey results
  Council authorised public release of the Micromex Opt-In Rate Notice Survey report and its findings.
  Residents will be able to access the survey findings and see community feedback collected through the rate-notice survey.
• Local Government Grants Commission submission
  Council endorsed a submission arguing that one-off disaster response and recovery funding should be excluded from revenue-capacity assessments, alongside concerns about land values, rate-pegged revenue and the costs faced by large rural councils. The submission is due by 9 October 2026.
  The submission seeks recognition of Cabonne’s rural costs and disaster funding circumstances in future grant assessments.
• Harmony Day 2027
  Council requested a report for the next meeting on how it will participate in Harmony Day 2027 and promote social cohesion.
  The report may lead to future Council-supported community activities promoting inclusion and harmony.

Impacts

• Rural property owners whose farmland rating subcategory may change are to be notified and consulted.
• Footpath and walking-route projects in Molong and Yeoval may proceed if external grant applications succeed and co-contributions are required.
• Christmas shopping events in Canowindra and Molong will operate under temporary suspensions of specified alcohol-free zones.
• Community groups in Eugowra, Molong and Cumnock received funding for events, recreation and facility improvements.
• Showground users will continue to pay a $657 annual licence fee, with the funds directed to showground enhancement reserves.
• The approved Manildra development modification and Eugowra CBD contract may affect local construction, traffic and commercial activity.
• The public release of the 2026 community survey report will provide residents with access to the survey findings.

Places

• Cabonne Council area (local government area)
  Council governance, financial policy, grants and community programs.
• Molong (town)
  Council meeting location; Christmas event alcohol-free zone; village markets; Hunter Caldwell Oval; Euchareena Road footpath; Mayoral and community activities.
• Canowindra (town)
  Christmas shopping event alcohol-free zone and community activities.
• Yeoval (town)
  Poets Walk and proposed Renshaw McGirr Way active transport route.
• Eugowra (town)
  Canola Cup funding, housing and land development project, and CBD activation contract.
• Cumnock (town)
  Steel sculpture project and Crossroads building roof replacement.
• Manildra (town)
  Approved modification to the warehouse or distribution centre at 18 Dederang Street.
• 18 Dederang Street, Manildra (development site)
  Site of Development Application DA2026/0163.

Next

• Notify and consult property owners affected by proposed farmland rating subcategory changes.
  In accordance with sections 525 and 526 of the Local Government Act 1993; timing not specified.
• Submit Active Transport Fund applications for the Molong and Yeoval projects and provide reserve co-contributions if successful.
  Grant timing not specified.
• Develop a Crown Land Licence Agreements policy and seek a further report after executed showground agreements are returned.
  Future report after agreements are returned; policy timing not specified.
• Release the Micromex Opt-In Rate Notice Survey report publicly.
  Following the 22 September 2026 resolution; exact date not specified.
• Prepare and lodge the Local Government Grants Commission submission.
  By 9 October 2026.
• Present audited 2025–2026 Financial Statements to Council.
  November 2026 Ordinary Council meeting.
• Continue negotiating Eugowra land acquisition, subject to the REDCIP funding deed being fully entered into.
  Ongoing, conditional on the NSW Government funding deed.
• Prepare a report on Council’s involvement in Harmony Day 2027.
  Next Council meeting.

Extract

MINUTES OF THE ORDINARY COUNCIL MEETING HELD AT THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS MOLONG ON TUESDAY 22 SEPTEMBER, 2026 COMMENCING AT 2:00 PM OF THE ORDINARY MEETING OF CABONNE COUNCIL HELD ON 22 SEPTEMBER, 2026 TABLE OF CONTENTS ITEMS FOR DETERMINATION ...................................................................... 1 ITEM - 1 APPLICATIONS FOR LEAVE OF ABSENCE .............................. 1 ITEM - 2 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST .................................................. 1 ITEM - 3 DECLARATIONS OF POLITICAL DONATIONS .......................... 1 ITEM - 4 ELECTION OF MAYOR AND DEPUTY MAYOR PROCEDURE 2026 ....................................................................... 1 ITEM - 5 ELECTIO...