March 2025 Ordinary Council Meeting Update - Councillor Lauren Trembat

Published on 03 April 2025

The meeting was opened in prayer at 5:30pm by local Anglican Minister, Jonny Lush.

First order of business was the swearing in of our newest Councillor, Mr Michae Crye, who took the oath of office. Unfortunately, days later Councillor Crye had to relinquish his position. As a result, a new countback election will be undertaken. I take this opportunity to wish Michael all the best in the future and thank him for is contribution to Council.

Matt Armstrong, Regional Development & Engagement Officer, NBN presented to Council on the greater reach, range and speed achieved in the LGA since the upgrade of the fixed wireless network last year and the current build program for the fibre upgrade program underway in the town and scheduled to be complete by September 2025 by their Delivery Partner, Ventia, who will work with Council and the community.

There was a full gallery with questions from the public.  Mrs Wendy Stanton asked about signage at her property advertising her garden business and the community support received from a local petition.  Ms Michelle Swaan from Black Springs spoke on issues relating to her community and in particular the masterplan that was presented later in the meeting and the request for additional funds for a shelter.  Mr Corey Demarco and Mrs Vicki McKinnon both presented on DA10.2023.30.1 - Recreation Facility (Outdoor Motorcycle facility) that was endorsed later in the meeting.

The Mayor introduced a Mayoral Minute 9.2 under 9.6 of the Code of Meeting Practice to address  the many social posts made by Clr Hayden resulting in complaints to the Mayor and GM, examples of which he read out and can be found here Oberon Council Ordinary Council Meeting 18 March 2025 - PART ONE (45:57)  The complaints ranged from Council staff, community and community organisations that stated they felt offended or disparaged.  The mayor stated that he believed that Council had been brought into disrepute and Clr Hayden’s behaviour had become untenable and needed to be rectified.

The Resolution that was adopted was as follows: -

1. Council considers that Councillor Hayden has:

1. Conducted her herself in a manner that has and is likely to bring the Council into disrepute due to her offensive and disparaging remarks on social media directed against community organisations, staff and individuals in the Oberon Community
2. Conducts herself in a disorderly manner at meetings
3. Directed staff in the exercise of their role
4. Conducts herself improperly on social media and in meetings
5. Intimidate persons by her conduct on social media and meetings

1. Clr Hayden should fully comply with the Code of Conduct, Code of Meeting Practice, Staff Interaction Policy and obligations under work health and safety legislation.

The motion was seconded by Deputy Mayor, Katie Graham and she too spoke to how this behaviour reflects poorly on all Councillors and the Council. Clr Hayden admitted to the posts however spoke to her political right to freedom of speech.  The motion was supported 6-3 with Clrs Hayden, Alevras and McCarthy not supporting the motion.

Notices of Motion

 10.1 Recission Motion – ARIC Member Resignation and Recruitment.  A previous resolution accepting the resignation and recruitment of ARIC Member, Mr Ron Gillard (February 2025) was rescinded, with Mr Gillard re-instated to the ARIC Committee for the remainder of the term.

10.2 Works Working Party. The motion by Clr Tucker for quarterly meetings, development of a charter outlining the roles and responsibilities, draft terms of reference (TOR) for preparation of a review and update of the Morrison Low Report, and expenditure and progress reports for all capital works projects to be provided to each Works Working Party meeting was endorsed. 

10.3 Parking Area at Black Springs Fire Shed.   Clr Trembath put forward an alternate motion to Clr Hayden’s motion.  The alternate motion was to contact the Rural Fire Service and seek their advice as to what was required with regards to parking/standpoint and materials and a request for a report back to Council with costs and an identified funding source.

10.4 Land Swap.  Clr McCarthy’s motion for a land swap with Borg for potential expansion of the new Sports Complex (80m on the east boundary from Albion Street to Herborn Street) to be investigated, including the costs and feasibility of separate probity to ensure that any potential project meets the requirements of LGA 1991, was endorsed.

Reports for Decision.

13.1 O’Connell Recreation Ground MOU was endorsed with minor changes relating to WH&S and delegation to the General Manager to sign all appropriate documentation.    The MOU is a non-binding agreement that was sought by the newly formed O’Connell Cricket Club to support Council with the maintenance of the recreation ground and the development of local cricket.

13.2 Community Nominations Section 355 Committees. The resignation of Mrs O’Grady resulted in vacancies for a number of committees.  Council went into ‘whole of Council’ to discuss and the following appointments were made and endorsed.

Clr Frank O’Connor – alternate delegate, Black Springs Community Hall Committee.

Clr Helen Hayden – alternate delegate, Joint Regional Planning Panel.

Clr Michael Crye – delegate Rural Fire Service Chifley Zone, Liaison Committee (To be re-appointed)

Clr Katie Graham – delegate Central Tablelands Weed Authority

Council also endorsed the Policy 1114 Volunteers and Section 355 Committees as presented and re-endorsed the Section 355 Volunteers Management Manual as presented.

13.3 Development Application DA2024.075 Carport – 13 Glyndwr Avenue, Oberon was endorsed as per the recommendation.

13.4 Development Application 10.2023.30.1 – Recreation Facility (Outdoor Motorcycle Facility) and Accommodation was endorsed with Conditions and the supporting Traffic Impact Statement that was requested at the February 2025 meeting.

13.5 Black Springs Recreation Ground Landscape Masterplan was endorsed and will be put on public exhibition for 28 days.

13.6 Black Springs Village Fund Request was endorsed to drawdown the FY24/25 Village Fund allocation to for the purchase of a park setting and provide an additional $309 from the Parks & Garden maintenance budget to complete the purchase as costs had increased due to the request by Council to defer the purchase until the completion of the Black Springs Recreation Ground Masterplan.

In Confidential the following recommendations were endorsed.

16.1 Construction of an 11 (Eleven) Lot Industrial Subdivision Project Report – Oberon

That Council support the recommendations highlighted within the report including the amount of $340,000 being supplied from the Land Bank to complete the 11-Lot Subdivision in Hawken Street and Maher Drive, Oberon

16.2 Land Matter

It was endorsed that Council contact the owner of Lot 90, DP1238111 and offer a Lease of the ground in accordance with a Mayoral Memo.

Meeting closed at 10:08pm

Next meeting 15^th April 2025 @ 5:30pm

All meetings are also available via zoom and recorded and available on the Council website.