Council - 27 Oct 2026 2:00 PM

Topics

• Council keeps Ophir bridge project alive after rejecting tenders
  Cabonne Council rejected all tenders for the Ophir Road traffic bridge but authorised negotiations with preferred tenderer Central Industries.
  The project will proceed under a negotiated contract, with the final price still tied to the available budget.
• $225,000 Rebuild Molong donation funds three local facilities
  Rebuild Molong has funded three Cabonne Council projects with equal $75,000 allocations.
  The contribution supports Dr Ross Memorial Oval, Hunter Caldwell Fields and Molong Showground amenities.
• Cabonne services receive interim financial lifeline as children's programs face pressure
  Council will use quarantined reserves and seek Commonwealth grants to keep OOSH and family day care services operating through the financial year.
  Families depend on continuity of childcare services while Council reviews their financial position.

Decisions

• Community donations and event funding approved
  Council approved $1,500 for the Country Education Foundation of Australia, $200 for Dax Clarke, school presentation book vouchers, and event or village enhancement funding for Christmas events in Cumnock, Eugowra and Canowindra. Funding included $3,000 for Cumnock, $1,000 for Eugowra, $5,000 for Canowindra Christmas Night Markets, $3,750 for Canowindra Community Christmas Carols and $4,000 for the Canowindra Christmas Street Party.
  Supports local education, youth participation and community events across several towns.
• Cumnock Show Society water and sewer charges to be donated
  Council approved a donation equivalent to the annual standard water and sewer access charges for the Cumnock Show Society, subject to annual budget provisions. It also requested a policy review and a future report on ongoing Section 356 donations.
  The show society will receive relief from standard access charges, while Council will review how similar donations are considered and reported.
• Support for Cabonne children's services
  Council authorised applications for Commonwealth special-circumstances grants for each Cabonne children's service and approved use of the Cabonne OOSH internal quarantined reserve, including the Blayney OOSH sub-reserve, to support operations until the end of the financial year. An update is due in March 2027.
  Helps maintain current out-of-school-hours and family day care services while their financial position is assessed.
• $225,000 Rebuild Molong contribution accepted
  Council accepted a $225,000 donation from Rebuild Molong, allocating $75,000 each to Dr Ross Memorial Oval, Hunter Caldwell Fields and the Molong Showground Amenities Project.
  Provides funding for sporting facilities and improvements at the Molong Showground.
• Ophir Road traffic bridge contract to proceed through negotiation
  Council rejected all tenders for Contract 2025998 for the design and construction of the Ophir Road, Ophir traffic bridge, while delegating authority to the General Manager to enter into a contract with preferred tenderer Central Industries after negotiations conclude.
  The bridge project remains active, but its final contract and price will depend on negotiations and the available project budget.
• Five factory tippers purchased from Orange supplier
  Council awarded Contract 2018129 to Tracserv Pty Ltd of Orange for five 3–5 tonne factory tippers: four Isuzu NMR units at $104,270 each including GST and one Isuzu NMS all-wheel-drive unit at $107,779 including GST.
  Updates Council's operational vehicle fleet and involves a regional supplier, with a total approved purchase value of $524,859 including GST.
• Former Cargo Baby Health Clinic licensed to Waratah Minerals
  Council authorised Waratah Minerals to refurbish the former Cargo Baby Health Clinic, approved a three-year licence for its use and accepted approximately $30,000 of refurbishment works in lieu of rent.
  Changes the use of a former community health facility and secures refurbishment works without a rental payment during the licence term.
• Yeoval Annual Show public holiday application approved
  Council will apply for a part-day public holiday from 8:30am to 7:00pm on Tuesday 27 April 2027 for the Yeoval Annual Show in the part of Yeoval within the Cabonne local government area. Further consultation will occur on full-day holidays for the 2028 and 2029 shows.
  Affects work, school and trading arrangements in Yeoval on the 2027 show day.

Discussion

• Traffic and road safety follow-up
  Council supported road closures for the 2026 Molong and Canowindra Christmas Shopping Nights. Transport for NSW is investigating the Molong school pedestrian crossing, outstanding Mitchell Highway matters and extending the school zone at Nashdale.
  Residents can expect further consideration of traffic management and school-zone safety measures.
• Cumnock traffic count
  The Acting Deputy General Manager took a question on notice about the outcome of a traffic count in Cumnock and when the results would be communicated to the community.
  The community is awaiting information that may inform local traffic decisions.
• Possible speed-limit reduction near Manildra
  Council requested a report for its next meeting on reducing the speed limit on Yellowbox Road from Manildra towards at least the Manildra Waste Facility, including the processes required.
  Could affect travel speeds and road safety for people using Yellowbox Road.
• Sale of land for unpaid rates
  In confidential proceedings, Council commenced the process for selling listed properties with overdue rates and charges under Sections 713 to 725 of the Local Government Act 1993 and appointed Recoupa to manage the process.
  Affected property owners may face sale proceedings to recover unpaid rates and charges.

Impacts

• Local community organisations and events received targeted funding across Cumnock, Eugowra, Canowindra and Cabonne schools.
• Cabonne children's services will receive interim operational support while grant applications and a financial review proceed.
• The Ophir Road traffic bridge project will continue through contract negotiations rather than immediate tender award.
• A part-day public holiday application will be made for the 2027 Yeoval Annual Show.
• A future report will examine a possible speed-limit reduction on Yellowbox Road near the Manildra Waste Facility.
• Properties with overdue rates may enter a statutory sale process.

Places

• Cumnock (town)
  Cumnock Show Society charges, Christmas event funding and a traffic count.
• Canowindra (town)
  Christmas Night Markets, Community Christmas Carols, Christmas Street Party, traffic closures and community organisations.
• Eugowra (town)
  Christmas Shopping and Market Night funding.
• Yeoval (town)
  2027 Annual Show public holiday application.
• Molong (town)
  Rebuild Molong project funding, Christmas shopping night road closures and the former Cargo Baby Health Clinic context.
• Ophir Road, Ophir (road and project area)
  Design and construction of the proposed traffic bridge.
• Yellowbox Road, Manildra (road)
  Potential speed-limit reduction extending towards the Manildra Waste Facility.
• Nashdale (locality)
  Possible extension of the school zone under Transport for NSW investigation.

Next

• Review the policy governing annual water and sewer charge donations and report ongoing Section 356 donations.
  Future Council meeting; timing not specified.
• Complete negotiations with Central Industries and determine the Ophir Road traffic bridge contract within the available project budget.
  After contract negotiations; date not specified.
• Submit Commonwealth special-circumstances grant applications for Cabonne children's services.
  After the 27 October 2026 decision; date not specified.
• Provide a financial update on OOSH and family day care services.
  March 2027 Council meeting.
• Report on the potential Yellowbox Road speed-limit reduction and implementation requirements.
  Next Ordinary Council meeting.
• Communicate the Cumnock traffic-count outcome to the community.
  Response to the question on notice; date not specified.
• Apply for the 2027 Yeoval part-day public holiday and consult on 2028 and 2029 arrangements.
  Application for 27 April 2027; further consultation in 2027.

Extract

MINUTES OF THE ORDINARY COUNCIL MEETING HELD AT THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS MOLONG ON TUESDAY 27 OCTOBER, 2026 COMMENCING AT 2:00 PM OF THE ORDINARY MEETING OF CABONNE COUNCIL HELD ON 27 OCTOBER, 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 ADJOURNMENT OF MEETING ..................................................................... 1 ITEM - 4 MAYORAL MINUTE - APPOINTMENTS ......................