Council - 23 Jun 2026 2:00 PM

Topics

• Cabonne adopts 2026/27 budget and planning documents
  Council locked in its revised delivery program, operational plan, budget, fees and long-term resourcing strategy.
  This sets council priorities and spending for the year ahead, affecting services, fees and infrastructure investment.
• Council backs flood-warning grant bid for three townships
  Cabonne will seek federal funding for a severe weather and flooding warning system for Canowindra, Eugowra and Molong, with a $289,800 co-contribution on the table.
  The project could improve emergency warnings and resilience for communities with flood risk, but also carries a substantial council funding commitment.
• Textile recycling trial approved at Manildra
  Council will run a 12-month textile recycling trial at the Manildra Waste Facility.
  The trial could expand local waste diversion options and signal a new recycling service direction for residents.

Decisions

• Code of Meeting Practice updated after model code disallowance
  Council rescinded the Code of Meeting Practice Policy adopted on 16 December 2025, reinstated its previous code containing the mandatory 2021 Model Code provisions, and asked for a report on optional changes that could be incorporated into a revised policy.
  Affects how council meetings are run, including public transparency and councillor conduct procedures.
• 2026/27 planning and budget documents adopted
  Council adopted the Delivery Program 2025-2029 (revised 2026 version), Operational Plan 2026-27 including the budget and fees and charges, and the Resourcing Strategy 2026-2036.
  Sets council priorities, service levels, rates-related spending and fees for the year ahead.
• Disability Inclusion Action Plan endorsed
  Council endorsed the draft Disability Inclusion Action Plan 2026-2030.
  Shapes accessibility improvements and inclusion actions for residents and visitors with disability.
• Union Picnic Day approved
  Council approved the annual Union Picnic Day for Friday 30 October 2026.
  Supports a local community event and associated traffic or public-use planning.
• Bush bursary scholarship partnership approved
  Council agreed to participate in the 2026/2027 NSW Rural Doctors Network Bush Bursary Scholarship Scheme and contribute $4,200 from the community facilitation fund.
  Supports rural health workforce attraction and student accommodation assistance.
• Asset management policy adopted
  Council adopted the draft Asset Management Policy.
  Guides how council maintains and renews public assets such as roads, buildings and facilities.
• Rural tree and public safety policy put on exhibition
  Council endorsed the draft Rural Tree and Public Safety Management Policy for 28 days of public exhibition.
  Gives residents a chance to comment on tree management rules affecting safety, heritage and environment outcomes.
• Event sponsorship granted to Grow Yeoval
  Council approved $4,000 from the 2025/2026 Event Sponsorship budget to Grow Yeoval for the 2026 Back to Buckinbah Festival.
  Provides direct support for a local community event and associated visitor activity.
• Textile recycling trial approved at Manildra
  Council resolved to undertake a 12-month textile recycling trial at the Manildra Waste Facility.
  May expand local recycling options and reduce textile waste going to landfill.
• Planning consents granted for monitoring masts and development changes
  Council approved a meteorological monitoring mast at Mullion Range State Forest, a similar mast at Canobolas State Forest, a subdivision modification at 424 Stapletons Road Boomey, and a dwelling modification at 27 Rodda Drive Cudal.
  Affects land use, development conditions and infrastructure installation at specific sites.
• Disaster Ready Fund bid supported for warning system
  Council endorsed an application to the Australian Government Disaster Ready Fund Round 4 for a severe weather and flooding warning system for Canowindra, Eugowra and Molong, with a proposed council co-contribution of $289,800 if successful.
  Could improve flood and severe-weather warnings for three townships and requires significant council co-funding.

Discussion

• North Yeoval boundary adjustment
  Council noted the update on the North Yeoval boundary adjustment and said planning instruments and strategic/operational documents will be updated accordingly.
  May change administrative boundaries and planning references for affected land and residents.
• Mullion Range State Forest mast consent
  A meteorological monitoring mast application was approved subject to conditions after RFS referral raised no concerns.
  Introduces new monitoring infrastructure in a forest area with fire-risk considerations.
• Canobolas State Forest mast consent
  Council approved a second meteorological monitoring mast application in Canobolas State Forest subject to conditions.
  Adds monitoring infrastructure in a sensitive state forest location.
• Council conduct framework reform feedback sought
  During Committee of the Whole, councillors discussed the Councillor Conduct Framework Reform and resolved to provide feedback to the General Manager.
  May influence how complaints and conduct matters are handled in future.

Impacts

• Potential changes to council meeting procedures and public transparency.
• Budget, fees, service levels and infrastructure priorities for 2026/27 were set.
• Accessibility and inclusion actions may improve services for people with disability.
• A local textile recycling trial may expand waste-diversion options at Manildra.
• Flood and severe-weather warning infrastructure may be pursued for Canowindra, Eugowra and Molong.
• Several planning approvals affect landowners and local development conditions at named sites.

Places

• Molong (town)
  Council chamber location and one of the townships targeted by the proposed disaster warning system.
• Canowindra (town)
  One of the townships targeted by the proposed severe weather and flooding warning system.
• Eugowra (town)
  One of the townships targeted by the proposed severe weather and flooding warning system.
• Yeoval (town)
  Linked to the Union Picnic Day and the North Yeoval boundary adjustment.
• North Yeoval (locality)
  Boundary adjustment update noted by council.
• Manildra (town)
  Location of the textile recycling trial and referenced in a community event sponsorship.
• Cudal (town)
  Location of a dwelling modification approval at 27 Rodda Drive.
• Canobolas State Forest (state forest)
  Site of an approved meteorological monitoring mast.

Next

• Prepare a report on optional updates to the Code of Meeting Practice Policy
  Future meeting/report back date not specified
• Place the Rural Tree and Public Safety Management Policy on public exhibition for 28 days
  Immediately following the meeting decision
• Submit the Disaster Ready Fund Round 4 application for the warning system
  As soon as practicable
• If grant funding is successful, deliver the co-contribution of $289,800
  Conditional on funding outcome
• Update planning and strategic documents for the North Yeoval boundary adjustment
  On receipt of the proclamation and thereafter
• Provide councillor feedback on the Conduct Framework Reform to the General Manager
  Following the Committee of the Whole discussion

Extract

MINUTES OF THE Ordinary Council Meeting HELD AT THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS MOLONG ON Tuesday 23 June, 2026 COMMENCING AT 2:00 PM 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 RESCISSION - CODE OF MEETING PRACTICE POLICY.. 1 ITEM - 5 MAYORAL MINUTE - APPOINTMENTS.. 2 ITEM - 22 DEVELOPMENT APPLICATION 2026/0109 - THIRTY FIVE (35) LOT SUBDIVISION - LOTS 1 AND 2 DP 797416, BROWNS AVENUE CANOWINDRA 4 ITEM - 6 MAYORAL MINUTE - RURAL FIRE SERVICE RED FLEET ASSETS 5 ITEM - 7 COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE.. 5 ITEM - 8 CONFIRMATION OF THE MINUTES.. 5 ITEM - 9 INTEGRATED PL...