Council - 25 Aug 2026 2:00 PM

Topics

• Cabonne awards $540,419 Molong Showground upgrade contract
  Patto’s Building and Construction Pty Ltd will deliver new showground amenities and hockey dugouts under a $540,419.78 excluding GST contract.
  The project affects a major community and sporting facility and creates a clear local infrastructure and procurement story.
• Council adopts four-year disability inclusion plan after late community submission
  Cabonne adopted its Disability Inclusion Action Plan 2026–2030 after noting no formal exhibition submissions and a late submission from Molong Advancement Group.
  The plan will shape accessibility priorities in Council services, facilities and public programs.
• Molong stables demolition refused while two other development applications proceed
  Council refused the proposed demolition of former stables at 44 Riddell Street but approved a function centre modification in Byng and residential works at 59 Gidley Street.
  The contrasting planning decisions affect heritage-sensitive development, a function venue and a residential project.

Decisions

• Disability Inclusion Action Plan adopted
  Council adopted the Disability Inclusion Action Plan 2026–2030 after noting that no formal submissions were received during exhibition and that a late submission was made by Molong Advancement Group.
  The plan will guide Council actions to improve accessibility and inclusion across Council services and facilities.
• Molong Showground tender awarded
  Patto’s Building and Construction Pty Ltd was awarded the CAP24-001 contract for Molong Showground amenities and hockey dugouts for $540,419.78 excluding GST.
  The project will deliver upgraded showground amenities and hockey facilities.
• Development application refused at 44 Riddell Street, Molong
  Development Application 2026/0155 for demolition of former stables at 44 Riddell Street, Molong was refused unanimously by councillors present.
  The proposed demolition will not proceed under this application.
• Function centre modification approved at Byng
  Development Application 2026/0159 for modification to a function centre at 296 Favell Road, Byng was approved subject to conditions.
  The approved changes may affect the operation and surrounding amenity of the Byng function centre.
• Dwelling and ancillary development changes approved in Molong
  Development Application 2027/0012 for alterations and additions to an existing dwelling, demolition of existing ancillary development and replacement ancillary development at 59 Gidley Street, Molong was approved subject to conditions.
  The residential development can proceed in accordance with Council conditions and the approved policy variation.
• Unused road reserves to be leased rather than sold
  Council declined the proposed purchase of unused road reserves bisecting specified properties in the Anson and Byng parishes, and authorised a five-year lease with a possible five-year extension. The lease must prevent vegetation removal unless required for a hazard or biosecurity concern, and Council may end the lease at its discretion.
  The decision retains Council control of the road reserves while allowing limited use under conditions.
• Canowindra land purchase offer declined
  Council declined the offer to purchase Lot 12 DP10595 on Tilga Street, Canowindra.
  The land will remain under its current ownership rather than being transferred through the proposed sale.
• Rates and licence fee donation approved for show society
  Council authorised a $2,217.50 donation equivalent to general rates under Section 356 for 2026/2027 and approved donation of the $636 annual Crown Land Licence fee for the same year.
  The show society will receive relief from these 2026/2027 charges.
• Council meeting schedule changed
  Standing committee meetings were cancelled for selected months, ordinary meetings were scheduled for 17 November and 15 December 2026, no ordinary meeting will be held in January 2027, and an extraordinary meeting may be held in January or February if required.
  Residents should check the revised timetable when planning submissions or attendance.

Discussion

• Disaster recovery funding
  Council supported submitting a motion to the 2026 Local Government NSW Conference opposing reductions in disaster recovery funding under proposed national disaster-management reforms, and supported continued advocacy by the Central NSW Joint Organisation.
  Changes to disaster recovery funding could affect future assistance and recovery resources after disasters.
• Operational Plan progress
  Council adopted the update of its 2025/2026 Operational Plan to 30 June 2026.
  The report records progress against Council’s planned services and projects for the financial year.
• Australia Day 2027
  Council noted the schedule for Australia Day 2027.
  Residents can monitor Council communications for event details and participation information.
• Planning department processing times
  Council noted a report that planning lodgement and assessment processing times had been reduced to levels below the benchmark.
  Applicants may benefit from faster planning assessment and processing.

Impacts

• Molong Showground will receive amenities and hockey dugout works under a $540,419.78 contract excluding GST.
• A disability inclusion plan covering 2026–2030 will guide Council’s accessibility and inclusion work.
• The proposed demolition of former stables at 44 Riddell Street, Molong will not proceed under the refused application.
• The Byng function centre modification and the residential works at 59 Gidley Street, Molong may proceed subject to conditions.
• The show society will receive $2,217.50 in rates-equivalent relief and $636 in Crown Land Licence fee relief for 2026/2027.
• Council will retain control of specified unused road reserves while making them available through a conditional lease.
• The revised meeting timetable includes no ordinary Council meeting in January 2027.

Places

• Molong Showground (facility)
  Amenities and hockey dugouts tendered for construction.
• Molong (town)
  Council meeting location; planning decisions at 44 Riddell Street and 59 Gidley Street; showground project.
• 44 Riddell Street, Molong (property)
  Former stables demolition application refused.
• 59 Gidley Street, Molong (property)
  Dwelling and ancillary development application approved.
• 296 Favell Road, Byng (property)
  Function centre modification approved subject to conditions.
• Tilga Street, Canowindra (road and locality)
  Council declined offer to purchase Lot 12 DP10595.
• Parishes Anson and Byng (land area)
  Unused road reserves approved for conditional leasing rather than sale.
• Cabonne local government area (local government area)
  Council-wide plans, services, meeting schedule and disaster-funding advocacy.

Next

• Progress the CAP24-001 Molong Showground amenities and hockey dugouts contract with Patto’s Building and Construction Pty Ltd.
  Following the 25 August 2026 award.
• Submit Council’s disaster recovery funding motion to the 2026 Local Government NSW Conference and continue regional advocacy.
  Before and during the 2026 conference process.
• Administer approvals and conditions for the Byng function centre and Molong residential development applications.
  During subsequent planning and construction stages.
• Prepare documentation for a conditional lease of the specified unused road reserves if accepted by the applicant.
  Following the Council resolution.
• Apply the approved rates and Crown Land Licence fee donations for the 2026/2027 financial year.
  During the 2026/2027 financial year.

Extract

MINUTES OF THE ORDINARY COUNCIL MEETING HELD AT THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS MOLONG ON TUESDAY 25 AUGUST, 2026 COMMENCING AT 2:00 PM OF THE ORDINARY MEETING OF CABONNE COUNCIL HELD ON 25 AUGUST, 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 MAYORAL MINUTE - APPOINTMENTS ....................................... 2 ITEM - 5 MAYORAL MINUTE - DISASTER RECOVERY FUNDING FRAMEWORK ...............